HEET project hits major milestone
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project has achieved a significant milestone, reaching 74.3 per cent completion in one of Tanzania’s most ambitious education reforms.
This progress was announced during a five-day national review workshop held at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), which gathered coordinators and stakeholders from institutions nationwide.
Launched in 2022 and funded by the World Bank, the five-year 425 million US dollar (about 972bn/-) initiative aims to modernise Tanzania’s higher education system by strengthening institutions, improving learning environments, aligning academic programmes with labour market needs and enhancing governance.
The project is set for completion by June 2026. HEET Project Coordinator from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Kenneth Hosea credited the steady progress to strong planning and committed participation from all involved institutions.
“This achievement reflects not only thorough planning but also dedication and ownership by implementing institutions. We are determined to complete the project within the planned timeframe,” he said.
Representing the UDSM Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor-Academic Professor Nelson Boniface stressed the importance of collaboration during the workshop.
“This workshop offers a vital platform for institutions to share knowledge and learn from each other. Together, we can ensure the project meets its national goals,” he said.
The workshop included project coordinators, technical experts and specialists in monitoring and evaluation, ICT, environmental compliance, industry relations and communications from all beneficiary institutions.
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Assistant Project Coordinator at the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Dr Happiness Nnko said that while several components have been completed, others remain underway.
The Science Laboratory construction is 55.3 per cent complete, classrooms at the College of Earth Sciences and Engineering are 61 per cent done and the Njombe Campus, launched in June 2025, is 10.3 per cent finished.
UDOM has reviewed 39 academic programmes to better align with market needs, with new programmes awaiting accreditation.
A total of 18 staff members have been sponsored for advanced studies locally and abroad. At UDSM, the HEET project involves multiple campuses, including Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Mlimani Campus in Dar es Salaam, the Institute of Marine Sciences in Zanzibar and new campuses in Lindi and Kagera.
Deputy Coordinator Dr Liberato Haule showcased renovations and new construction of lecture halls, studios, workshops and labs, along with improvements to student hostels and enhanced accessibility for students with disabilities.
Dr Haule stressed the involvement of industry experts in upgrading curricula to ensure academic programmes meet labour market demands. Tracer studies are used to evaluate programme relevance, guiding the review, removal or introduction of new courses, including more than 20 online offerings.
He also highlighted UDSM’s digital transformation efforts through a tenyear ‘smart campus roadmap’ aimed at integrating technology across university operations.
Participating institutions include UDSM, UDOM, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Institute of Financial Management (IFM), Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre, Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA), Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS).
Through modern infrastructure, updated curricula, increased research capacity and stronger labour market alignment, the HEET project is laying the foundation for Tanzania’s future workforce and knowledge economy.
