DAR ES SALAAM: THE University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) have signed a grant agreement of 78 million Swedish Krona (about 18.8bn/-) to support a research programme focused on sustainable and inclusive development.
This collaboration aims to foster progress in areas critical to long-term social and economic development.
Speaking during the signing ceremony on Friday, UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye said that the programme will be implemented in Tanzania for six years from 2024 to 2030.
“The programme’s overall objective is to strengthen multidisciplinary research and innovation capacity for sustainable and inclusive development in Tanzania in line with Agenda 2030,” said Prof Anangisye.
He added that it will enhance research and innovation through postgraduate training with a focus on priority areas, with at least 50 per cent female representation.
“The programme will enhance the research and innovation on environment, improve the quality and impact of research to address gender-sensitive societal needs, strengthen community engagement and collaboration with local, regional and international partners,” said Prof Anangisye.
Prof Anangisye noted that the UDSM is committed to ensuring the programme objectives are attained within the timeframe and in an effective and efficient manner.
However, he requested SIDA to consider other disciplines that are not covered by the programme especially in social sciences, law and humanities so as to support research capacity to teaching staff from those disciplines.
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Prof Anangisye said since 1998, the Swedish Government through SIDA has supported UDSM with more than 600 million SEK (about 150bn/-) in human resource development, research and capacity-building.
Furthermore, he said from 2015 to 2023 SIDA provided more than 38bn/- .
Moreover, Prof Anangisye said the fund provided supported 69 projects in areas of Marine Sciences and Resources, Mycology and Molecular Biology and Technology, Food Security and Processing, Energy (renewable and non-renewable).
Others are Geosciences, Archaeology, ICT, Mathematics, Material Sciences, water resources and its purification, Humanities and languages, natural products, tourism, agribusiness, rural and urban infrastructure, postgraduate training and library.
The Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Charlotta Macias said the collaboration between SIDA and the UDSM marks a significant milestone in both academic excellence and community development.
She assured that Sweden remains committed to strengthening its partnership with Tanzania across various sectors.
“The grant is a continuation of our country’s long-standing support to Tanzania and it will play a key role in advancing research initiatives,” said Ms Macias.
