Pushing forward with construction

Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye is going from strength to strength since his time at Manchester. Supported by a Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust donation, he was made High Commissioner of Rwanda to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia in July 2019.

How did you get into the construction industry?

I always wanted to be an engineer and to support my country, so I did physics and maths in high school and then specialised in civil engineering because I wanted to build. When I started doing projects, I realised there was something missing. There’s a lot of other skills you need in construction, like leadership and management, but I couldn’t afford to go to university to learn these.

How did Manchester help you on your journey?

It’s been a game-changer for my life. It was a dream come true studying at a reputable university, and the skills and knowledge I got in Manchester got me my job at a construction company when I returned. 

How have you made an impact?

When I returned, I was promoted to project manager and my first project was to organise an African football tournament. We had to build a stadium, put on lights, and supply the infrastructure. It showed me that if you can work together as a team, you will have an impact. The construction industry creates jobs and wealth, and you're contributing to your country's economy.