KIGALI, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan students displayed a wide range of innovative projects at the recently concluded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Expo in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

Targeting learners from TVET institutions, the five-day expo attracted industry leaders, educators, policymakers, and innovators, highlighting the growing importance of practical skills in national development.

The event, which wrapped up on Thursday, featured a national skills competition in which 57 outstanding participants received gold, silver, and bronze medals. The top performers will go on to represent Rwanda in upcoming continental school competitions.

Among the participants was Joseph Kwizera, an interior design student who presented a compact 10-meter by 5-meter house plan that incorporates all key living areas -- a kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedroom.

Interior design can help individuals build functional homes on small plots of land by maximizing space efficiency, he told Xinhua, explaining that his design process begins with discussions with clients to understand their needs, followed by sketches on paper, computer modeling, and eventually, cardboard mock-ups to visualize the final structure.

Alpha Mugisha, a student from New Generation Academy, showcased an innovative project he termed "soccer drones." The game mimics football, but instead of players on the ground, teams of drones compete in the air. Each team operates five drones -- including a striker, defender, and goalkeeper -- and scores by flying the striker drone through the opposing team's ring.

Mugisha said the exhibition provided an opportunity to demonstrate the potential of drones for applications such as deliveries and aerial photography.

Aimable Rwamasirabo, head of curriculum and instructional materials development Department at the Rwanda TVET Board, said the event gave schools an opportunity to highlight their contributions to national development and showcase the tools they use in teaching and learning.

"It is to show the link between the school and industries in Rwanda because we have exhibitors from schools, students, and teachers," he said. "We also have on the other hand people from companies showing how the schools and companies are linked."

He noted that the exhibition also served as an eye-opener for prospective TVET students exploring practical career paths, adding that several programs are currently being revised to align with labor market demands.

"Our graduates are better prepared for the workplace because our curriculum is designed to match industry needs," he said. "We also provide incubation centers where students can develop and refine their projects."

He called on the public, especially parents, to encourage children to pursue technical education and training. "TVET is the future of our country," he said. ■