IPU Speaker insists on academic freedom in creating prosperous continent
DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Speaker of the Tanzania National Assembly, Dr. Tulia Ackson, has officially opened the African Scholars Conference today, April 29, 2025, in Dar es Salaam.
The four-day conference, themed around the role of academic freedom in modern-day Africa and its contribution to building prosperous and thriving societies, aims to highlight the importance of intellectual autonomy in driving the continent’s development.
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Speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Tulia emphasized that academic freedom is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development across Africa. She noted that such freedom enables the advancement of knowledge, research, and scientific analysis — all essential for solving the complex challenges facing the modern world.
“Every scholar must use their expertise to foster positive change in society, especially in addressing the economic, social, and political challenges affecting our continent,” said Dr. Tulia.
The conference is organized by the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Dar es Salaam in collaboration with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). It brings together scholars from various African countries to exchange ideas and experiences on academic and developmental issues.
