Why Samia got three doctorates in one year

DAR ES SALAAM: SOME Academicians have argued that President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan deserved three Honorary Doctoral Degrees in just one year due to her exemplary performance.

President Samia was awarded three honoris causa by different high learning institutions.

In separate interviews, they said being con- ferred three doctorates in such a short period shows her uniqueness and recognition of her performance.

For the first time in November 2022, the Head of State was awarded 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 by the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).

Later on in October 2023, Dr Samia became the first woman to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) degree by Jawaharlal Nehru Univer- sity (JNU) of India.

The prestigious recogni- tion highlights her contributions and accomplishments in various fields and a symbol of the strong ties between Tanzania and India, as well as promoting economic diplomacy and achieving success in regional integration and multilateralism.

In line with that, in December 2023 Dr Samia was also conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Man- agement and Marketing (honoris causa) by the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA). SUZA awarded Dr Samia in recognition of her outstanding contribution to promoting tourism and economic devel- opment in the country.

Commenting on the matter, analyst and lecturer at Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy, Dr Ahmad Sovu, said President Samia deserved to be conferred the PHDs by those three institutions due to her performance.

“President Dr Samia deserves it…first, before being granted, the relevant university must create arguments to University Senate explaining the reasons why a certain person should be awarded honoris causa where various experts go through opinions to see the legitimacy of the matter and later the senate approves after being satisfied,” Dr Sovu maintained.

Regarding the PhD granted by UDSM which recognised her contribution in steering the country towards the right direction and human rights, Dr Sovu said president Samia has been doing a great performance in the area.

“Dr Samia is the first leader to attend an opposition party’s event since the ushering in of multiparty system,” he added.

In line with this, Dr Sovu said that President Samia has made a great contribution in area of economic diplomacy, hence has been conferred PHD by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) of India. “Dr Samia has been participating in various international meetings such as COP28 conference that have been able to attract investment in various areas and cementInc bilateral ties, in general the participation of the country (President) in diplomatic matters has massively increased.” Dr Sovu underlined.

Dr sovu’s opinion was seconded by a Vice-Chan- cellor at the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) Professor Costa Mahalu who revealed that President Dr Samia has developed a good attitude in international relations, especially between Tanzania and other countries noting that she deserved to be awarded a degree in that area.

Commenting on Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Management and Marketing granted by SUZA, a University of Dodoma (UDOM) lecturer Dr Paul Loisulie said president Samia deserves the award as she makes great performance in the area especially in promoting tourism.

“President Samia has been spearheading in promoting the country through the Royal Tour film where she played as the main character of the docu- mentary, a film which promote tourism in both Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland,” Dr Loisulie pointed out.