Why Samia deserves doctorate
UNIVERSITY of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has conferred President Samia Suluhu Hassan with Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) as recognition for her significant contribution in steering the country towards the right direction and championing human rights.
Presenting the biography of Dr Samia, Prof Penina Mlama of UDSM, said the varsity’s governing council and senate submitted recommendations to UDSM Chancellor Dr Jakaya Kikwete for President Samia to be awarded the highest honorary doctorate degree.
“The recommendations were approved by the senate and governing council in early November this year and hence the award of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa in Humanities and Social Science),” she explained.
Dr Samia was conferred with the award by Dr Kikwete during the fifth and last phase of UDSM’s 52nd graduation ceremony which was held at the Mlimani City Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Prof Mlama pointed that President Samia has been awarded the honorary degree according to UDSM honorary degree regulations of 2014.
The regulations empower the UDSM senate and governing council to award the highest degree to a person who meets various criteria, such as defending human rights and addressing challenges facing the people.
“President Samia has been awarded the honorary degree because she has been able to serve Tanzanians at high levels during her short period in office,” Prof Mlama stated.
The academician quoted the speech in which Dr Samia made in the parliament in April 22, last year, where she urged all Tanzanians to stand together, bury their differences and work together as a nation.
Prof Mlama added that the Head of State also stressed on the need for all Tanzanians to maintain peace, respect dignity of one another as well as embracing patriotism to build a new Tanzania.
The UDSM don also referred to an interview in which President Samia made with the BBC in April, 2021, in which she insisted on the capacity of women to become presidents, where she stated; “Some people do not believe that women can be better presidents, we are here to show them.”
During her speech in parliament one month after assuming power, President Samia expounded plans by the sixth phase government in making reforms in economy, social services and international relations.
Other plans explained by President Samia are to protect the democratic foundations, the freedom of the people, press and to strengthen the judiciary systems.
Moreover, Prof Mlama said since President Samia came to power, she created an enabling environment for the private sector by reducing obstacles in obtaining permits, business licenses and adjusting various taxes.
“The head of state made great efforts in establishing international and regional economic relations, and contracts for large projects have been signed, including gas and oil pipelines,” She added
More so, Prof Mlama noted that through directives by President Samia, the government endorsed the second education bill of 2022 which removed the obstacles to access formal education for female students who dropped out of school for various reasons, including early pregnancies.
“The bill helped some 8,000 girls to be reinstated in formal education after they dropped out because of early pregnancies,” she noted.
Prof Mlama remarked further that; “In promoting democracy and good governance, President Samia has been advocating for four Rs, which stand for reconciliation, resilience, reform and rebuilding the nation.”
In particular, she said the Head of the State gave priority to women in leadership, including appointing them as government ministers, District commissioners, judges, district executive directors and ambassadors in addition to heads of public institutions and corporations.
“Various organisations and people in the world appreciated the contribution of President Samia to the development and awarded her with several prizes, including the 100 Most Influential People of 2022 as well as the Africa Road Builders–Babacar Ndiaye Trophy.
“When she addressed the parliament, President Samia remarked; “this is the first time in the history of our nation to have a female president, there will be a few people who are worried that due to my gender I will not be able to fulfill my duties.
“I want to use this platform to remove the fear that the Almighty God did not create a weak brain for a woman and a great potential brain for a man, so I believe I have the ability to lead this nation,” Prof Mlama quoted President Samia.
