SAUT boosts research, digital skills to meet global labour demands

MWANZA: THE newly elected Vice Chancellor of St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Professor Emmanuel Wabanhu, has pledged to strengthen academic excellence, promote high-level research and embrace modern technology to make the university more competitive nationally and globally.

Professor Wabanhu made the remarks today, August 10, 2026, during his Investiture ceremony and swearing in of newly appointed leaders held at Lavoie grounds in Mwanza

“SAUT would adopt a deliberate and transformative strategy to improve its academic programmes and continuously enhance the quality of teaching,” he said.

He said the improvements would focus on promoting human dignity and the wellbeing of society, while ensuring that SAUT graduates acquire knowledge and skills that meet the demands of the domestic and international labour markets.

On research, Prof Wabanhu said SAUT would promote high-quality research with an international outlook by strengthening systems that encourage knowledge generation, innovation and the application of research findings for the benefit of society.

He said the university will establish and strengthen networks that support research, learning, innovation and knowledge exchange, while upholding the principles of truth, meaning and academic freedom.

“Our goal is to ensure that new innovations are translated into practical benefits for SAUT graduates and the Tanzanian society at large,” he said.

Prof Wabanhu further said the university would embrace digital transformation by integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning.

He said the initiative would go hand in hand with expanding Open, Distance and E-Learning (ODEL) through improved internet connectivity and enhanced digital skills among staff and students.

On financial sustainability, Prof Wabanhu said his administration would broaden the university’s revenue sources to strengthen its capacity to finance institutional activities and development projects.

He pledged to manage university resources with integrity, transparency and prudence, assuring stakeholders and development partners that resources provided for the institution’s development would be used for their intended purposes.

“They will be managed with great care and responsibility, ensuring prudent management of every resource entrusted to us,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor also pledged to strengthen partnerships with industries, the government and international institutions, saying such collaboration would enhance SAUT’s position both nationally and globally.

He said the partnerships would help the university produce graduates with an international outlook and the ability to compete effectively in the global labour market.

On compliance with laws and regulations, Prof Wabanhu said his administration would ensure that all policies, guidelines, laws and standards issued by relevant authorities were fully observed.

He cited the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NACTVET) and the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB), as well as the university’s internal guidelines.

He urged all SAUT staff to comply with the relevant guidelines in order to make the university a model institution in fulfilling its obligations to regulatory authorities.

On leadership and governance, Prof Wabanhu said he would promote strong, transparent and participatory leadership involving various stakeholders within the SAUT community.

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He said involving staff, development partners, parents and students in decision-making would help build collective decisions based on wisdom, prudence and shared responsibility.

“I will maintain and promote the participation of every member of our community so that we can make collective decisions based on wisdom and prudence, all aimed at taking SAUT to the pinnacle of global excellence,” he said.

Prof Wabanhu added that one of the key objectives of his administration was to ensure that SAUT continued producing graduates equipped with ethical values, entrepreneurial skills and the ability to compete in the global market.

He said graduates should possess knowledge and practical skills enabling them to address contemporary challenges and contribute to Tanzania’s development and the wellbeing of society.