Ministry commends DANIDA support in BSU programme
THE Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has expressed gratitude for the 3,410,200 US dollars support given by Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) to fund the Building Stronger Universities (BSU) programme which has benefited various universities in the country.
The gratitude was conveyed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Carolyne Nombo in her recent speech in Morogoro to conclude the BSU programme, which was read by Assistant Director of Resources responsible for institutions under the Ministry, Mr Sebastian Inoshi.
“Thanks to DANIDA, the programme has made a significant impact, such as educating Tanzanian researchers, creating good infrastructure for conducting research in including Agroecology, Aquaculture and Agribusiness,” she said.
Other benefits of BSU which will officially phase out in December this year are financing capacity building to 12 academicians at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) to become competent researchers in the areas of Agro ecology Agriculture, Aquaculture and value addition to agricultural products.
The PS said that other benefits of BSU to SUA are financing supportive research infrastructure in fish farming, financial management, planning and human resources management.
Other institutions which benefited from DANIDA funding through BSU are the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) and the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMC).
On his part, SUA Vice Chancellor, Professor Raphael Chibunda said that the BSU programme has helped to increase the value of crops to farmers in Morogoro who were also equipped with skills in financial management and proper planning.
“Some of the beneficiaries of BSU programme had a chance to go to Denmark where they attended training that has helped to sharpen their farming skills and increase agricultural output,” said Professor Chibunda.
He asked the Danish government through DANIDA to contemplate on how to collaborate with his University in helping to reach farmers and strengthen training and research in various areas in the country through SUA.
