UDSM don to lead review of Universities Act 2005

THE Tanzanian Commission for Universities (TCU) has appointed Professor Bonaventure Rutinwa, as the convener of a committee to review the Tanzania Universities Act, 2005.

Prof Rutinwa   is a University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) alumnus and Associate Professor of Law.

He is also the UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for Academic affairs and would lead a team of seven members in carrying out the task.

The team comprises Prof Ephata Kaaya, Dr Estella Ngoma Hassan, Mr Benard Kongola, Mr Innocent Mgetta, Ms Juliana Munisi and Ms Roserine Rutta who will oversee secretariat and logistics.

“Considering your valuable expertise and experience in university education, I am pleased to inform you that the Commission has appointed you as a Convener of a seven members Technical Committee to carry out the review process of the Universities Act, Cap. 346”, stated the appointment letter, signed by the TCU Executive Secretary, Prof Charles Kihampa.

The information further indicated that the review of the said Act was needed to respond to the significant developments in the higher education landscape recorded over the past two decades at the national and regional levels.

The review of the Act is expected to provide recommendations to bolster the ongoing efforts by the Tanzanian government under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, to improve the country’s higher education sector.

The appointment of Professor Rutinwa, a prolific legal academic, is an indication of the TCU’s trust in his leadership abilities and expertise.

Meanwhile, Prof Rutinwa said he was very grateful for the appointment, asking for cooperation from all stakeholders, including government agencies, universities, and students, in providing relevant and useful recommendations in the process.

“I am very much honoured to have been chosen to lead this important committee, and I am committed to ensuring that this review process is conducted in a consultative and inclusive manner”, said Prof Rutinwa.

Commenting on the appointment, University of Dar es Salaam Vice Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye said that the appointment of Prof Rutinwa had signified the substantial contribution UDSM had made in shaping the Tanzania’s higher education sector.

“This appointment manifests the University of Dar es Salaam’s long history of producing top-notch graduates who continuously make significant contributions to various sectors. With him at the helm of this Committee to review the Tanzania University Act, UDSM is well-positioned to maintain its status as a leading institution of higher learning in Tanzania and the region,” said Prof Anangisye.

The academic community has welcomed the appointment of the Committee, expressing optimism that it will steer Tanzania’s higher education sector in the right direction.

“The distinguished members of this committee possess vast knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing universities in Tanzania and the education sector in general; thus, we are optimist that their work will indeed be very productive,” said Dr Augustina Alexander, the UDSM Acting Director of Internationalisation, Convocation and Advancement.