The Rehabilitation Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE), Ombe, on Friday March 27, 2026 hosted a high-level delegation of eight partners from the Liliane Foundation (LF), from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The visit, marked by warmth, curiosity, and constructive dialogue, provided an opportunity for the partners to experience firsthand the institution’s growing impact in the field of rehabilitation training.
The delegation was received with a spirited welcome, as students and staff gathered to offer a standing ovation. A student-led welcome address, followed by a musical performance from staff, set a tone of unity and pride that resonated throughout the visit. The RTCE management team then led the partners on a comprehensive tour of the campus, showcasing key facilities including classrooms, skills laboratories, the library, server room, and student hostels.
Throughout the tour, the partners expressed strong admiration for the Centre’s infrastructure, training approach, and its commitment to inclusive education. They particularly applauded the integration of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Mobility Rehabilitation Technology (MRT) into the curriculum, noting that such multidisciplinary inclusion reflects a progressive and much-needed direction for rehabilitation training in Africa.
The exit session provided a platform for deeper engagement. Following an institutional overview presentation, the LF partners raised insightful questions aimed at understanding RTCE’s evolution, operational model, and long-term vision. Key areas of interest included the Centre’s history and foundational milestones, the scope for admitting international students, and the progression pathways beyond diploma-level training.
Concerns were also raised regarding human resource capacity, with partners inquiring whether RTCE relies solely on internal staff or engages external expertise. In response, they recommended strengthening local capacity through continuous training of lecturers, emphasizing that investing in internal knowledge development is more sustainable than relying on foreign tutors.
Collaboration emerged as a central theme in the discussions. The delegation sought clarity on RTCE’s partnerships with government ministries and public universities, particularly regarding curriculum alignment and staff exchange. They also showed keen interest in graduate outcomes, questioning whether alumni are successfully absorbed into public sector employment.
Impressed by the model, several partners expressed a desire to replicate RTCE’s approach in their respective countries. However, they stressed the importance of embedding sustainability into such efforts. Among the major recommendations was the development of a comprehensive sustainability plan, including the introduction of consultancy services as a potential revenue stream.
The partners further encouraged RTCE to expand its academic scope by introducing postgraduate programs across departments. They highlighted the role of universities as hubs of innovation and urged the Centre to strengthen its focus on research, digital learning, and assistive technology development.
In terms of pedagogy, the delegation recommended the introduction of practical, solution-oriented class and individual projects that address real-life disability challenges. They also advocated for inter-school collaborations and increased exposure of students to external professional environments.
Importantly, the partners cautioned against limiting rehabilitation to a purely medical framework, emphasizing its broader relevance across community, educational, and social contexts. They called for policies that reinforce inclusive learning and ensure that training reflects this multidisciplinary reality.
The visit concluded on a highly positive note, with LF partners commending RTCE Ombe as a promising centre of excellence with the potential to shape rehabilitation training across the region. Their feedback not only affirmed the Centre’s achievements but also laid out a clear roadmap for growth, innovation, and long-term impact.
