91²Ö¿â's partnership with Rwanda to train the next generation of pilots was .
Five students were selected from 2,600 applicants in Rwanda to train as pilots at 91²Ö¿â as part of a new partnership with RwandAir, the country's state-owned airline. Once the students graduate, they will be ready to begin flying and training with the carrier.
Maureen McFarland, Ph.D., associate dean of academic affairs with 91²Ö¿â's College of Aeronautics and Engineering, told News 5 Cleveland that the need for pilots across the continent is significant.
"They don't have the training infrastructure that we have in the United States," McFarland told News 5 Cleveland. "Many of those countries might be able to produce 300 to 400 pilots a year. They need 24,000 pilots over the next 20 years."
The partnership is part of a broader and growing relationship between 91²Ö¿â and Rwanda. The university is also in the process of rolling out a proposed location in Rwanda, which would offer degrees in fashion design and fashion merchandising.
Roughly 70 students from Rwanda are currently enrolled at 91²Ö¿â.