Mwinyi commits to support varsities
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has directed the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to ensure that all students who meet the criteria to receive higher education loans are provided with money so that they can continue with educational programmes.
He said the government is fully committed to increasing funding for higher education so that all qualified students for higher education can continue with studies without hindrances.
Speaking during the 20th graduation of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), Dr Mwinyi, who is the Chancellor of the University, directed the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to ensure that all eligible higher education loan applicants receive the funding on time.
“The objective is to get enough skilled professionals to meet the country’s development pace. The government’s intention of establishing SUZA was to drive social and economic development through higher education,” Dr Mwinyi said.
He said since its establishment in 2001, SUZA has played a pivotal role in improving the lives of Zanzibar people by providing quality education, with special emphasis on research and innovation to address societal and economic challenges.
Dr Mwinyi informed the enthusiastic graduates and continuing students at the ceremony that the eighth-phase government has approved a Master Plan to strengthen SUZA’s education and research capacity, focusing on infrastructure, hiring qualified lecturers and enhancing research environment.
“We recognise the importance of education and that modern facilities are essential to achieve our goals. We will ensure that students get access to funds, state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and recreational facilities,” he said.
Dr Mwinyi mentioned that for the 2024/25 academic year, his government, through the Zanzibar Higher Education Student Loan Board (ZHESLB) allocated 33.4bn/- for student loans.
“A total of 8,870 students have been selected to get loans, including 4,573 new entrants and 4,297 continuing students. This represents an increase of 2,716 students compared to the 6,154 students who received loans in the previous year, reflecting a 44 present rise,” he said.
For the first time, he said Zanzibar government has provided loans to 1,420 diploma students to join various colleges in the country, saying at SUZA alone, 1,720 students continue to receive loan services for the 2024/25 academic year, representing 19.4 per cent of all Zanzibar government-funded students across Tanzanian institutions.
He said the government has enabled SUZA to increase student enrolment from 5,000 in the 2020/2021 academic year to 7,045 in 2023/2024, along with the addition of four undergraduate and postgraduate programme.
He said the government aims to raise the quality of higher education and prepare experts with modern skills and knowledge, and that in strengthening youth employment opportunities in the blue economy, the government has invested in the ‘Skills Development for Your Employability in Blue Economy (SEBEP)’ project to establish the Marine Training Institute.
“I have been informed that the construction is in the offing, and we expect maritime training to commence in 2025. Moreover, 12 experts, including 11 master’s students and one PhD student are now pursuing long-term training,” he said.
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On gender, Dr Mwinyi expressed his satisfaction on the increase of female students in higher learning institutions.
“I am pleased to see a large number of female graduates, making up 61 percent, compared to 39 per cent male graduates,” said Dr Mwinyi.
He said the increase in number of women in higher studies brings great hope in uplifting societal values and the economy.
“Congratulations to the women and we anticipate that you will be part of the positive changes in society, in line with our university’s theme, ‘A catalyst for societal change’,” said President Mwinyi.
Dr Mwinyi conferred degrees and certificates to a total of 2,291 graduates for the 2023/2024 academic year, up from 2,101 graduates who completed their studies last year, which is 8.4 percent increase.
Zanzibar Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Ms Lela Mohamed Mussa joined the SUZA ViceChancellor Prof Mohamed Makame Haji to thank Dr Mwinyi for his commitment to developing education in the country.
