THE University of Dar es Salaam is set to start using the new curriculum in the next academic year (2024/2025).
UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor Planning, Finance and Administration, Prof Bernadeta Killian revealed this during a workshop aimed at analysing data on transformation of the university’s education.
She noted that the transformation aimed at producing competent graduates who will suit domestic and international markets.
Prof Killian said the institution has collected data across the country from various stakeholders, including UDSM graduates and the private sector so as to come up with tangible transformation.
She said that the curriculum is in line with the government directives which require the universities to produce graduates who will suit in any market.
“The process of changing the curriculum is not a light thing or a short-term work, it is an ongoing process and we expect our curriculum to be largely transformed and to start being used in 2024/2025.
“Our curriculum will help to address the shortfalls of the current syllabus…the experts will analyse the data and make changes that will satisfy the needs of the government and Tanzanians in general where the graduates will be able to use their acquired knowledge for self-employment or in labour markets,” Prof Killian said.
She said that through the Higher Education for Economic Transformation Project (HEET), UDSM decided to evaluate itself and undertake the changes by involving the private sector which is knowledgeable on what is needed in the labour market.
“Apart from UDSM graduates we have also involved the private sector to guide us through various methods to ensure that this process is successful, since they know what is needed in the labour market we want to produce graduates who can be directly employed or self employed,” Prof Killian said.
On her part, UDSM Institute of Marine Science (IMS) Zanzibar Lecturer, Dr Batilu Mohamed Yahya called on employers to be ready to receive graduates and train them because no graduate completes studies with experience.
“As a college, we give them an opportunity for short-term practical training, so employers should review their criteria of five- or three-years’ experience… there are many young people out there who have no experience, but if they are engaged at work, they will be able to perform well,” Dr Yahya said
UDSM College of Engineering and Technology (CoET) Principal, Prof Bakari Mwinyiwiwa said the project is important since it would bring positive results to the institution.
He said they anticipate having graduates who will be knowledgeable in new technologies that will help them in their work.
HEET project at UDSM include improving quality and labour market relevance of programmes through upgrading of curriculum and development of new curricula; introducing innovative pedagogical methodologies including strengthening gender and inclusive education and promotion of research and innovation capacity
The 5-year project will be promotion of a linkage with industry and practical learning through partnership with the private sector; promotion of digital skills and improvement of decision making capacity.
Through the HEET project, UDSM received 47.5 million USD from the World Bank for various education advancement activities that will rapidly transform the campus in academics.
