DAR ES SALAAM: WITH the changing trends in education and the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence, Tanzanian universities should make sure they change with the times to satisfy the job market.
This was said in Dar es Salaam yesterday by the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), Dr Leonard Akwilapo during the opening of a ‘Consultative Training Workshop for Members of University Councils, Senates and Governing Boards’.
During the workshop which brought together over 150 members, including Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Principals and Provosts, he said University Councils, Senates and Governing Boards are instrumental to the realisation of the desired quality attributes, being the sole decision-making organs of the country’s higher learning institutions.
“It is therefore clear that the success of any higher learning institution depends largely on the effectiveness of the Council, Senate, or the Governing Board. We understand that not all members of Councils and Governing Boards are drawn from university institutions and hence, some lack an in-depth understanding of university systems, processes and practices,” said Dr Akwilapo.
He emphasised the importance of their roles in ensuring the continued success and growth of Tanzanian higher learning institutions (HLIs).
On the purpose of the workshop, Dr Akwilapo noted that the primary objective was to explore ways to enhance the quality of university education, highlighting the theme of the workshop: ‘Strengthening Leadership, Management and Internal Quality Assurance Systems’.
These areas, he pointed out, were essential for the prosperity and sustainability of higher education in an era of rapid global change.
“The landscape of higher education is evolving,” he continued, acknowledging that Tanzania, like the rest of the world, was not immune to these changes. Universities were experiencing increased competition for a limited pool of qualified students and academic staff.
Alongside this, there were mounting challenges in financing higher education, adapting to the demands of the labor market and internationalising education.
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As a result, stakeholders, ranging from the government and regulatory bodies to employers and parents, were placing greater emphasis on the quality of education provided.
With this in mind, Dr Akwilapo underscored the critical role of University Councils, Senates and Governing Boards in shaping the educational landscape.
He explained that the Councils and Governing Boards were the supreme organs in policy matters, while the Senate held authority over academic decisions.
The success of any university, he asserted, depended largely on the effectiveness of these bodies in providing oversight and strategic direction. However, Dr Akwilapo also acknowledged a challenge faced by many council members.
Not all were drawn from academic backgrounds and even those with experience in university systems found themselves grappling with the rapidly changing environment.
As a result, continuous professional development and re-skilling were essential for members of these bodies to provide effective leadership. This led to the introduction of the training workshops organised by TCU.
These workshops, he explained, were designed to share knowledge and best practices in university leadership and management.
He said in addition to these consultative workshops, TCU had also organised training for Heads of Academic Departments and provided pedagogical skills for non-education academic staff.
Such initiatives, he affirmed, were crucial for raising the standards of university governance and management in Tanzania.
Dr Akwilapo also took a moment to acknowledge the government’s support under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, recognising the vital role of the state in advancing the sector.
During the two-day workshop, participants will be briefed on a wide range of topics, including leadership and management in universities, the regulatory framework for university education and the implications of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence on higher education.
Dr Akwilapo encouraged active participation in these discussions, emphasising that the future of university education depended on their ability to adapt and respond to emerging trends and challenges.
Before concluding, Dr Akwilapo urged participants to consider the alignment of university programmes with the revised Education and Training Policy 2014 (2023 Edition) and curricula for Basic and Teacher Education.
This, he noted, was crucial to ensure that higher education remained relevant to the needs of the labor market and the expectations of stakeholders.
