UDSM HISTORY COLLECTION

The University History Collection mainly includes tangible cultural heritage related to university representation, memorabilia from professors’ legacies, objects of use related to the rites and administration of the university. Our collections are used for research and educational purposes, but are also open for the public to enjoy. We encourage interested people of all ages to visit and explore them!

The University memorabilia collection, which has over a hundred pieces, consists of items gifted to the University from international and regional partners. This collection contains mainly commemorative memorabilia and plaques made for representational purposes.

The textile collection contains a few varied objects: flags, wraps, khanga, kitenge, lapel badges used by the university, sewn-on textile badges, but even the T-shirts with the university logo, produced in several colours. The textile collection includes graduation garments worn by the top leadership of the university.

A digital copy of the photographs in the University History Collection can be browsed in the Museum. The collection currently consists of several digitized photographs and more than 3000 negative frames. The photographs were taken between 1961 and 1980. The photo collection stored in the deposit is complemented by a smaller digital collection, as around 2008 photographers working at the university and documenting university events also switched to using digital cameras. The subject of the images in the photo collection is very diverse: portraits and group photos, various buildings of the university.

This collection includes teaching and learning tools. Some objects from legacies and academic units can also be found here, as the collection includes, for example, hand-drawn sketches by early marine science students.

The museum is currently collecting objects for it numismatic and phaleristic collection. The numismatic collection is aimed at collecting from the university legacies any medal or coins for display purposes. The phaleristic collection shall include a wide variety of decorations awarded to legacies and the university for display.