Chief Secretary commends Mzumbe University for role in Tanzania`s development

              The government has expressed appreciation for the pivotal role played by Mzumbe University in the development of the country.

The acknowledgement was made by Chief Secretary Philemon Luhanjo when talking at a forum on strengthening linkages between the university and key stakeholders held in Dar es Salaam yesterday. 

“The role played by Mzumbe is highly appreciated by the government,” Luhanjo said, adding that apart from training, Mzumbe has, and still does, offer consultancy services to the public and the private sector.

          He said the public service has been receiving demand-oriented advisory services in the introduction of new systems and tools or the assessment of capacity and providing in-service training.

“Such a relationship is very useful as it makes it possible for the public service to develop practical solutions to unique, as well as common, institutional problems,” he said.

He said Mzumbe University should continue to maintain and strengthen its competitive edge through finding ways that will strengthen its links with both the public and private sectors by understanding new demands of the sectors and working hard to meet them, while maintaining its special areas of excellence.

For his part, Education and Vocational Training minister Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa said the challenge facing Mzumbe and other higher learning institutions is to produce graduates who are relevant to the current and future development needs.

               The bottom line here is about having a proper and dynamic curriculum,” he said in his speech read on his behalf by deputy permanent secretary Celestine Gesimba.

Dr. Kawambwa said it is important to recognize that University-Industry linkage can come about and be effective and beneficial to both sides if there is a large degree of responsiveness and desire by both sides.

Infotech president Ali Mufuruki stressed that a deliberate and continuous engagement between academia and private sector is crucial if Tanzania wants to go ahead.

“This is what has helped various countries such as Germany to be where it is today,” he said.

Chairman of the Mzumbe University Council Prof.

             Daniel Mkude thanked the assistance provided by various development partners and stakeholders, both from within and outside Tanzania.

“We, as an academic institution, have benefited a lot from their contribution,” he said, adding that they hoped the stakeholders would continue to assist the university to pursue its mission vigorously and contribute to the development of the country.

The one-day forum brought together the university’s key stakeholders such as employers, alumni and partners so they could share experiences and set a strategic platform for strengthening the linkage between it and the world of industry and business.