JK appoints Prof Rose Upor as UDSM’s Deputy Vice Chancellor

DAES SALAAM: THE former Tanzanian President and Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Jakaya Kikwete, has appointed Prof. Rose Acen Upor as Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic of the University. According to a statement issued by the university, Prof Rose Acen Upor’s appointment is effective as of December 31, 2025.

The new Deputy Vice Chancellor in Academic is an Associate Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, College of Humanities (CoHU), who joined the University of Dar es Salaam in 2002 as an Assistant Lecturer.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education (Hons) and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Dar es Salaam, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Linguistics from the University of Georgia, USA.

She was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 2023.

The statement further said that Prof Upor brings to the appointment an extensive and distinguished record of academic leadership, university governance, and senior-level administration.

Before her appointment, she served as Director of Postgraduate Studies.

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Her previous leadership roles at the University include Head of the Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, Director of the Office of the Vice Chancellor, and Principal of the College of Humanities. In these capacities, she worked closely with top management in strategic planning, policy formulation, and institutional governance.

Moreover, Prof Upor has been an active contributor to University governance, having served as a member of the University Senate during the periods 2012–2014 and 2017 to date, including membership in key Senate committees.

She also served as a Councillor of the University Council from 2018 to 2024, representing the Council on various standing committees. Collectively, Professor Upor has contributed to the work of different institutional committees as a member and/or convener, playing a substantive role in policy development and strategic implementation.

Prof Upor has an extensive publication record and has undertaken consultancy and coordination assignments with international organizations, government institutions, and local government authorities.

Her professional excellence has been recognized through several awards, including those from the International Women’s Forum, the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), and the Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA). She has also undertaken executive leadership training at Harvard Business School, USA and INSEAD (Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires), France. Additionally, she possesses practical expertise in public procurement, public sector finance, accounting and audit systems, and project management.