VP sees SUZA project as a solid foundation for technology professionals

ZANZIBAR: VICE President Emmanuel Nchimbi has said the construction project of the Science Laboratories and School of Agriculture of the National University of Zanzibar (SUZA) is important as it aims to lay a solid foundation for the development of Technology, Skills, and Economy in society.

VP  said this while laying the Foundation Stone of the Construction as part of the celebrations of 62 Years of the Union.

He said the project will bring great benefits to the country, including creating employment opportunities, increasing awareness in science and technology, promoting the blue economy, and increasing productivity in agriculture.

In addition, the VP  said education is a priority for the Government of Zanzibar and Tanzania as it is what enables the development of human resources to fully contribute to nation building and bring about development in general.

He added that the laying of the Foundation Stone highlights the achievements of the Union of Tanzania in the past 62 years, which has enabled greater cooperation, strengthened peace, and fostered economic and social development on both sides of the Union.

The VP has called on the Project Consultant and Contractor to fully supervise the implementation of the project and ensure that it achieves its intended goals. He said it is an expectation to see the project implemented with high standards, professionalism, value for money, and timely completion.

He also urged the SUZA leadership to manage these resources with integrity and transparency to ensure that the infrastructure being built enables the achievement of its intended goals, including stimulating research and innovation aimed at solving real challenges of society, especially in the agricultural, technology, tourism and environmental sectors.

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For his part, the Acting Vice Chancellor of SUZA Prof Abdi Talib Abdalla said that the Science Laboratory Building will be an important hub in the teaching of modern science, innovation and technology research within the university and the country in general

He said that through these modern laboratories, students and researchers will find an excellent environment to conduct collaborative and innovative research experiments aimed at solving various socio-economic and environmental challenges.

In addition, the investment will increase the quality of science education and produce professionals with practical skills and the ability to compete in the national and international job market.

He also said that the Laboratory and School of Agriculture will strengthen the capacity of the National University of Zanzibar in providing advisory services, specialized training, and research aimed at solving social challenges and stimulating the national economy.

The Laboratory and School of Agriculture project of the National University of Zanzibar has been funded by the World Bank’s HEET (The Higher Education for Economic Transformation – HEET) project, which costs an amount of 32bn/-.