DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed that the education curriculum currently under development should consider economic and technological changes and advancements taking place in today’s world.
He issued the directives on Saturday while opening the 5th Business and Economic Development Conference (BEDC 2024) in Dodoma on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Mr Majaliwa said the new curriculum should encourage application of technology to improve provision of business education. He said online platforms and modern business software should be fully exploited in offering business and entrepreneurial training.
“Therefore, I urge educational and business training institutions to focus on the use of technology in delivering training,” he said.
The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with stakeholders, to continue strengthening and improving business education systems at all levels to ensure they meet the needs of the job market.
In another development, the Premier urged business education institutions to ensure they foster cooperation with the private sector to help identify real market needs and provide training and education that aligns with changes in the business sector.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ensuring that businesses not only benefit owners but also contribute to social and economic development.
“Businesses should contribute to environmental protection and community welfare.”
For his part, Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, said that the special research forum will help stimulate discussions that will identify challenges and opportunities that will aid the country in achieving success in the business and economic sectors.
“According to 2001 statistics, the number of university graduates was 51,800 and as years go by, the number continues to rise.
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The government alone cannot employ all of them; we rely on others to go to the private sector. We have market opportunities in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, East Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
To reach these markets, we must conduct research,” he said. College of Business Education (CBE) Rector, Prof Edda Lwoga said that they have successfully increased the research budget from 46m/- in 2018 to 300m/- in the 2023/2024 financial year.
“Over the past five years, the college has published a total of 288 articles in the national and international journals, thanks to the efforts of our lecturers and researchers in advancing education and generating new knowledge,” she said.
The conference among other things will address methods to promote business, investment issues, innovation, sustainable development and economic challenges while providing an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn and build professional networks for the advancement of the world economy.
Prof Lwoga highlighted the key objectives of this year’s conference, including capacity building, networking, knowledge promotion, creating business opportunities and supporting economic development.
“The conference offers a valuable opportunity for participants to gain new knowledge, build professional networks and contribute to sustainable development of business and the global economy,” she said.
The conference has consistently gathered experts, businesspeople and development stakeholders from both within and outside the country to exchange ideas, make suggestions and promote cooperation for sustainable development.
