BUJUMBURA May 29th (ABP) – The President of the Republic, Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, proceeded on Friday May 26, 2023, to the solemn opening of the 2022-2023 academic year at the Higher Institute of Military Executives (ISCAM) under the theme “ISCAM: Incubator of the Burundian military elite responsible for the defense of the homeland and their heritage”.
Those ceremonies were marked by the definitive incorporation of 168 officer laureates of the 52nd promotion of ISCAM, the handover between the 48th and 49th promotions of ISCAM and the awarding of diplomas to the candidates of the 19th promotion of Retraining Internships of Officers (SRO).
The commander of ISCAM, Gaspard Baratuza, indicated that this military institute of higher education has two faculties, namely the faculty of economic sciences which includes political economy, administration and management as well as rural economy and the Faculty of Science which includes Civil and Environmental Engineering, Information and Telecommunications Technology (ICT) and Mechanical Engineering.
In order to comply with other military institutions in other countries, he pointed out that ISCAM is planning work to rehabilitate the premises of that institute and the construction of a fence for its good security. Baratuza is delighted with the results of the achievements recorded during the academic year which has just ended.
Regarding the challenges facing ISCAM, the Commander of ISCAM highlighted the absence of a gymnasium for the physical conditioning of officer candidates and the absence of a virtual library.
The Burundian Minister in charge of National Defense, Ir. Alain Tribert Mutabazi, stressed that the presence of the President of the Republic of Burundi at the opening ceremonies of the academic year at ISCAM is an eloquent sign which testifies to the great importance that the Government of Burundi attaches to national defense forces.
In his speech, President Ndayishimiye congratulated the leaders of ISCAM for the step already taken and urged them to move forward and have a patriotic spirit. He has provided a lot of pieces of advice to officer candidates and laureates of that institute on peaceful Burundi. He called on them to abide by military law and regulations, protect the environment, fight fraudulent trade and corruption.
The Head of State also indicated that ISCAM is an institution of Burundians but not an institution of Hutu, Tutsi and Twa ethnic groups, and the motto of the institution is “for whoever wants and who can”. He finally recommended them to have characteristics of the lion in the continuity of ensuring in good shape the peace of our fatherland. In recognition of the efforts made by the ISCAM community, the Burundian Head of State offered them a gift.