DAR ES SALAAM: THE number of students enrolled at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) has shot up to 220,018 by this year from only 766 when the university was established in 1994.
The university unveiled this recently during the launch of series of activities ahead of the 30th anniversary celebration to be held alongside the 43rd graduation ceremony in Kigoma Region, in November this year.
“As we are heading to commemorating the 30th anniversary since establishment of our university we have made great strides, especially in increasing the number of students and academic staff whose number has increased from five in 1994 to 344 academic staff, equivalent to 50 per cent of all 687 staff,” said OUT Vice Chancellor, Prof Elifas Bisanda.
He said the theme of the commemoration is: ’30 years of unlocking sustainable education through online, open and distance learning.
Prof Bisanda said currently the university has established centres in all 27 regions. Also, it has more than 70 examination centres where more than 60 per cent of those are in the district level.
The VC said the university has five faculties namely the Faculty of Business Management, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environmental Education and the Faculty of Education of which they have 133 programmes.
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In addition, Prof Bisanda noted that more than 729 foreign students from more than 50 countries have graduated and were awarded various degree certificates.
“The university has been able to make a great contribution to the development of the nation, especially in educating the community and providing a workforce with knowledge and skills in working.
The university has continued to make progress by further strengthening its operational and teaching systems with a strong emphasis on the use of IT,” said Prof Bisanda.
Moreover, Prof Bisanda said the commemoration will be used as a platform to evaluate the level of success achieved, enabling the public to recognise its activities and contribution to the nation.
He said in evaluating the level of success, university’s regional centres, directorates and various departments will participate in exhibitions, open lectures and various celebration activities.
