UNIVERSITY of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Vice-Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye, has underscored the importance of humanities for inclusive growth as critical for attaining sustainable development.
Prof Anangisye said this recently at the opening of the three-day African Humanities conference organised by the UDSM College of Humanities in Dar es Salaam.
“Participants should consider what the humanities can do in contributing to the development of humanity generally and more specifically how this conference can stimulate inclusive development,” he said.
Prof Anangisye said in the context dominated by economic modes of reasoning, it was crucial for the humanities to intervene by demonstrating how they can lead to a better use and understanding of economic resources and where possible even speak the language of policy-makers to address their concerns.
Moreover, he said, it was important that such reflections stimulate further discussions on matters that unite them as scholars in the humanities, especially as they dissect the challenges and opportunities out there.
“This also entails taking on board the bigger question of how the humanities can help further transform our societies to make them better places for us to live in and thrive,” said Prof Anangisye.
“I encourage your discussions to reach out to the wider audience so that the society gets to see the value of humanities,” he added.
He said the questions on art, culture and heritage were at the centre of scholarly pursuit in the conference as the issues of identity, gender, religion, linguistics, peace, governance, policy, diplomacy and regional integration should be highly considered.
The UDSM College of Humanities Principal, Dr Rose Upor, said the conference was aimed to review and celebrate humanities research to consult a broad representation of the humanities community and plan for a future of African-directed humanities.
“I am pleased that with these intentional goals the growth of the humanities on the continent shall be unprecedented,” said Dr Upor, adding that the meeting also focused on making sure that all things that are done have humanity in them.
She said that it was the first African Humanities Conference hosted by the College of Humanities with the theme ‘Celebrating African Humanities for Inclusive Growth’ which involved academics from 17 countries, many from Africa.
The College of Humanities of UDSM was established in October 2013 after splitting the then College of Arts and Social Sciences, with a view to enhancing efficiency in general, and this year marks a decade of its existence.