Technology Transfer to the Community; Development of Biogas and Waste Management Plants for Penitentiary Institutions. Kigali Institute of Science, Technology & Management (KIST).

There are numerous needs and problems that must be addressed in the context of the post-civil war period in Rwanda. One of these problems is a lack of technological and knowledge resources that would ensure better development prospects for the country. In order to address these needs, the Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST), the country's first publicly owned technological institute, was set up in 1997. The Institute is responsible for identifying social needs and problems to which it gives solutions through its various areas of knowledge. Within this framework, the Institute has developed several projects for the transfer of knowledge and technology to society.

Thus, in the case of the project for energy-generating plants using anaerobic systems, the KIST identified two specific problems that could be solved through a single project. These two problems are (a) overcrowding in prisons, which leads to a lack of hygiene that threatens the health of inmates and warders and (b) ineffective or nonexistent management of the waste that is produced in these prisons, which has a major impact on the environment.

Another growing problem in Rwanda is the depletion of wood resources for domestic use. There is a clear need for alternative energies given the problems of environmental degradation, deforestation, erosion and decreased soil fertility.

These problems can be solved, albeit only partially, by investing in technology and, additionally, training, to ensure that this technology is used as appropriately as possible.

KIST has various services and training centres to fulfil its mandate of knowledge transfer. One of these is a centre for technological innovation and transfer, which coordinates the anaerobic plant project.

The project was designed to obtain better techniques in the fuel production process, as well as to train the population to use the technology correctly and to favour business and economic growth based on this technology

The project has two lines of action: to produce energy using the waste from penitentiaries and from cattle manure. The same technology and scientific know-how is applied in both cases, which are based on the anaerobic process in the carbon cycle. This makes it possible to produce fuel that does not cause pollution and is inexpensive and sustainable.

The project was successfully implemented. All of the facilities set up are currently in operation. By recovering waste and reducing the impact on the environment, up to 50% has been saved in the use of fertilisers and gas.

Six prisons are connected to 30 biogas systems, which has given rise to improved health conditions and less pressure on the environment.

A total of 150 prisoners were trained in the biotechnological management of waste, renewable energies, crop production and the construction and setting up of facilities.

Finally, standards were set for the selling and servicing of the plants' final product—energy—all of which helps to create jobs and solve the problems of the prison community.

After having evaluated the project, aspects that should be improved are speculative practices in energy recovery. In order to achieve this, work is being done on a project for the dissemination of information and for more adequate training for the beneficiary associations.

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