DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is making strides in the aviation industry, that is why recently former President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete congratulated the National Institute of Transport (NIT) on their plan to start training pilots.
The former Head of State said that this step will help to increase the number of workers in the aviation sector and tackle the shortage of human resources.
Speaking at the 39th graduation of NIT, Jakaya said that it is very expensive to educate pilots abroad.
“I am happy to hear that NIT is in the process of offering Pilot Training courses. This training is very important for our country because it will reduce the burden on the government and parents to pay for this training abroad which is provided at a high cost,” he said.
Dr Kikwete said the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has purchased two airplanes for pilot training, two engines for flight engineering training and Cabin Crew mock-ups for training flight attendants.
He said apart from that, the government has also provided 60 hectares land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) which will be used for aviation training, urging the Institute to properly maintain the equipment.
The 4th phase president congratulates the graduates for their efforts throughout their studies which enabled them to reach the stage of being awarded certificates.
“Congratulations. I realise that the award you will receive today is fundamental for you in the long journey to becoming good and smart experts. My advice to you is not to be satisfied with the professional level you have reached, continue to seek more knowledge so that the country has enough experts with all the required qualifications in the transportation and shipping sector,” he said.
For students who are continuing their studies, he said:
“In this age where there are major technological changes, especially when the world enters the 4th Industrial Revolution, creativity is an important factor for our country in building a strong and sustainable economy. Therefore, students who are continuing with their studies should be creative and study hard so that when you graduate you can have enough knowledge and skills.”
The former president said he was relieved to hear that NIT has continued to expand the scope of providing training in the important sector of transportation, including strengthening itself in all transport modes, including air, water, rail, road and pipeline.
Dr kikwete had the opportunity to launch a book that has explained the history of NIT since its establishment in 1975 up to now.
“I am happy to see that the history of NIT has been well preserved because it helps us to know where NIT came from, where we are now and where we want to go. In addition, this book preserves the history of NIT for our benefit, future generations and for the development of our nation,” he said.
Deputy Minister for Transport, David Kihenzile on his part said that the Ministry has successfully managed to support improvement of infrastructure and the teaching and learning environment at NIT.
“NIT recognises the various revolutions that the government has continued to do by starting various projects in the transport sector which are part of implementation of various plans, including the Third National Development Plan, the National Development Vision of 2025, the National Transport Policy of 2003, along with the CCM Election Manifesto of 2020,” he said.
He emphasised that some of the projects are the construction of a modern railway (SGR), the purchase of wagons and modern train engines, the construction of ships, the expansion of ports, the construction and expansion of airports, the purchase of airplanes, construction and expansion of the road network as well as the construction of the crude oil pipeline from Hoima, Uganda to Tanga, Tanzania.
“This revolution has increased the demand for highly skilled human resources in the transport sector in the country and within the East and Southern African Community,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said this enables NIT to provide training that is in line with market needs to produce the best graduates in all fields of Transportation (Roads, Rail, Air, Water and Pipelines).
“Therefore in the college’s Fourth Five-Year Strategic Plan (2021/2022 – 2025/2026), the College will continue to strengthen the provision of training aimed at producing skilled experts in all five sub-sectors of transportation for the sustainable growth of these projects that will rapidly stimulate the growth of the economy of our country,” he said.
On his part, the NIT Acting Rector Dr Zainabu Mshana said that the Institute has continued to build the capacity of its lecturers and staff by sending them for further education to enhance their level of knowledge and skills, where in the academic year 2023/2024, a total of 71 staff are already on further studies.
He said that among them, 39 employees are studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), 24 are studying a master’s degree, one (1) employee is studying a bachelor’s degree, three (3) employees are studying Pilot Training and four (4) employees are studying Aircraft Maintenance Licence Training.
She added that in strengthening and simplifying work, NIT has succeeded in revitalising its structure, which was approved by President Samia on November 17, 2022 and was implemented in October 2023.
“In terms of academics, this structure has five (5) Faculties, two (2) Directorates, 14 Departments, six (6) Divisions and four (4) Centres. In terms of Administration, the structure has (5) Directorates and four Divisions (4),” he said.
She added that NIT has succeeded in making improvements to its personnel structure by increasing the cadres of aviation instructors and aircraft maintenance engineers to meet the demands of the aviation industry. This structure started to be implemented in October 2023.
In addition to this, NIT has successfully approved for an incentive structure to improve the interests of employees and increase the efficiency of work in various activities of the Institute. This structure started to be implemented in July 2023.
“NIT has sustainable strategies to prepare Human Resources that will meet the needs of the labour market in the transport and transportation sector, especially considering the implementation of the major economic reforms that the government is doing,” she said.
She mentioned that the strategies are to initiate and revitalise the curricula of various training courses from the diploma level to master’s degree in accordance with the needs of the domestic and foreign markets, as well as improving the environment for teaching and learning, including the repair and construction of infrastructure of classrooms, garages, laboratories, offices and the purchase of training equipment that is compatible with technological changes in the world.
