DUCE hails the Tanzanian government’s support for the HEET project

DAR ES SALAAM: THE  management of the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) has commended the government for rendering timely educational support at the institution.

DUCE is among the few Tanzanian universities implementing the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project which is spearheaded by the government through the Ministry for Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) with funds from the World Bank.

Addressing reporters on Friday at the University’s campus in Dar es Salaam, DUCE Principal Prof Stephen Maluka highlighted key achievements being recorded at the institution through HEET project.

“Let me extend my appreciation to the sixth-phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for enabling us to be among the beneficiaries of this project,” he said.

Adding, Prof Maluka disclosed that DUCE received a total of 19bn/- to implement several projects under HEET, insisting that it is the first time to receive such a big amount at once ever since the university was established.

“There are many transformations that have been made courtesy of this money and one of them is the construction of two buildings with three floors each which will greatly improve the teaching and learning atmosphere once completed.

“One of it is a Postgraduate Building which will accommodate Physics, Chemistry, and Biology laboratories, including offices as well as classrooms for Postgraduate Students.

“The second building is for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, which will easily be accessed by staff members and students with special needs…it will have all the necessary equipment needed by special needs learners.

“Construction of these two buildings is underway and so far has reached 70 percent with a total of 10bn/- already used, and we expect them to be completed before December this year,” he said.

Furthermore, Prof Maluka pointed out that through HEET, they have managed to engage in rehabilitation exercises of several infrastructures, especially old buildings around the campus, saying so far, the exercise has consumed 1bn/-.

He also revealed that under the HEET project, DUCE has seen tangible results in Information and Communications Technology to the extent that they now have the fastest internet, making it easy for staff members and students to access various online information.

Again, Prof Maluka said the presence of a digital library has also simplified learning among students as they do not necessarily have to physically enter the library to get services but rather, they can have access to books they want through their smartphones or computers at their convenience.

He further thanked the government for recruiting 237 people at DUCE within the span of three years, and that an extra 31 employment opportunities have already been announced at the university a move he said will help to reduce unemployment syndrome.

On his part, Deputy Principal (Academic, Research and Consultancy) Prof Amani Mwamakombe highlighted that several impactful research projects capable of solving problems of people have been conducted courtesy of the sixth-phase government.

“At DUCE, we are honored to have undertaken different research activities which are very important as they aim to solve problems facing people either directly or indirectly…this has been necessitated by the current government,” he said.

Similarly, Deputy Principal (Planning, Finance and Administration) Prof Pendo Malangwa noted that administrative works at the university have greatly improved under the incumbent administration.

She also disclosed that through the HEET Project, they have rendered short and long term capacity building training to staff members as one way to improve their working efficiency.

“Everything here is happening digitally since we have enough computers that enable us to operate digitally,” she said.

In the same token, the Director of Undergraduate Studies and HEET project Coordinator for Curriculum Review and Development, Dr Joel Kayombo, said they have done a lot to establish a curriculum that aligns with the job market.

“Through HEET, we have succeeded in removing some of the curricula that were not in high demand on the job market and replaced them with the demanded ones.

“This is essential based on the fact that the job market is constantly changing, hence we have to equip our learners with skills that will enable them to adapt easily to such changes,” he said.

Meanwhile, HEET Project objectives are as follows: Construction and Rehabilitation of Infrastructures, Curriculum Upgrading and the Introduction of Innovative Pedology, Development of Digital Technologies, and Establishment of State-of-the-Art ICT Infrastructure