Kikwete: UDSM Kagera campus to amplify region's development
By Jackson Isdory, CMU
The Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has assured the people of Kagera that the new UDSM campus in their region will intensify sustainable development.
Dr. Kikwete said this when he paid an official visit to the region recently to learn the progresses of the new campus construction processes in the region. He also held consultative meetings with Kagera regional authority in the villages of Itahwa and Kangabusharo where the government would locate the UDSM campus.
“This campus in Kagera is indeed a blessing in many ways as it will be a catalyst for sustainable development in this region. Apart from offering the higher education opportunity to our children, the presence of this campus will amply numerous social and economic activities that will be beneficial to the people of this region”, said Dr. Kikwete.
In the same vein, Kagera Regional Commissioner, Hon. Albert Chalamila said the region was so much ready and well prepared to receive the new UDSM campus, and that they would cooperate with the University in order for the construction to be undertaken timely and efficiently.
"We have a common mission and we are very much committed to it. We will provide all that is necessary and required on our part. We promise to cooperate maximally with UDSM to ensure that this college produces great fruits to our region of Kagera" emphasized Hon. Chalamila.
During the visit, Dr. Kikwete was accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof. William Anangisye and other senior officials of the University.
Funds available
The UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof. William Anangisye told the people of Kagera that the funds to build the campus were available and the construction would start immediately after the initial processes such as designing of the buildings and getting the contractor were completed as per regulations.
“We already have the funds, for constructing this campus in Kagera, from the World Bank [Higher Education for Economic Transformation] HEET project. So, let us all work together to accomplish this important project on time”, insisted Prof. Anangisye.
Meanwhile, the UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for academic affairs, Prof. Bonaventure Rutinwa briefed the Chancellor and those present on the progress of the design of the project and the programmes that would be offered at the Kagera campus.
Prof. Rutinwa said the campus would begin by offering business, entrepreneurship, innovation and tourism courses – under the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS), which were expected to make Kagera region a strategic commercial hub for the neighboring East African countries and others.