The Vice-Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Prof. Emmanuel Luoga, stated that the Mycotoxins Mitigation Trial Project findings would help show the link between fungal toxins and stunted growth in infants.
Prof. Luoga made the opening remarks on February 3, 2022, in Arusha during the meeting of Experts of the project.
"The main objective of this project is to validate using laboratory studies and experiments, the notion that intake of toxic foods above the long-term tolerance contributes to sustainability in infants," said Prof. Luoga.
He further clarified that the issue of stunting is a national catastrophe as defined in the "Tanzania National Nutrition Survey (TNNS, 2018) where it states 31.8 % of Tanzanian children are stunted, thus leading to poor mental and cognitive development.
"This study is beneficial for us scientists, veterans and the nation as a whole as it will provide valuable education to the nation and development partners in determining the whole issue of nutrition and health", addressed Prof. Luoga .
The Director of Kongwa District Council, Dr Omary Mkulio, said that the results and recommendations of the project would help advise the Government on how to solve the problem of fungal toxins in the country .
The Project Coordinator from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Dr Neema Kassim, explained that preliminary research results of six-month-old infants showed a 20 % stunted stamina.
Dr Neema explains that the implementation of the project started in 2017 with about 52 health centres in Kongwa District where the performance of the first phase began in June 2017 to June 2018 and the second phase began in June 2018 to June 2022, intending to monitor food quality and growth an infant.
The Mycotoxins Mitigation Trial Project is implemented in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology in Arusha, Cornell University in the United States and the Kongwa District Council in Dodoma.
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Luoga urged the new students to work hard in order to attain their goals and contribute towards achieving long term University goals and millennium sustainable goals.
Prof. Luoga said that today on 16th February 2022 during the event of welcoming new students for the academic year 2021-2022 at NM-AIST Conference Hall.
Our University developed to become a world-class institution of higher learning, dedicated to the pursuit and promotion of excellence in Science ,Engineering, Technology and Innovation and its application for economic growth and sustainable development in Tanzania and Sub Saharan Africa said Prof. Luoga.
He added that in embracing University motto academia for society and Industry, NM-AIST is always seeking to avail its high concentration of talents and facilities for the transformation and co-creation of the society and industry in Tanzania and in the Sub-Saharan African region at large.
He Further insisted that students should be a good flag bearers through their behaviors and ethics while are at the University and outside not only for the University but the country and East African Region as a whole.
On His side Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Research and innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete explained that NM-AIST is a desired institution in responding to problems through Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics linking with research and business.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Planning, Finance and Administration Prof. Charles Lugomela congratulated the new students for making the right choice joining NM-AIST which is a great opportunity for them to learn on how to become problem solver to the society and contribution to industry.
New students were introduced to Deans ,University management and administration and they had the opportunity to know the history behind the establishment of The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology.
NM-AIST in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) along with Consortium of International Investigators hosted a Brucella workshop on 13th December,2021 to enhance capabilities for infectious disease research and surveillance of Brucella species in Tanzania and Rwanda.
The workshop was officiated by the Guest of Honor Director of Veterinary Services Tanzania from Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development Prof. Hezron Nonga.
On His Speech Prof. Nonga said “It is a pleasure to have you all join us at this special kick-off meeting and follow up workshops, the new pandemic has shown us all that it is now more than ever important for the scientist to emphasize of the zoonotic diseases including brucellosis”.
The workshop was presented by some of the leading scientists in the field and will provide unique opportunities for select Tanzanian and Rwandan scientists in small group setting to obtain hands-on training in diagnostic and analysis tools, including sampling techniques; Real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), Serology, Whole Genome Sequencing of the isolates, and Milk Microbiome sequencing using next generation technologies and bioinformatics analysis.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Research and Innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete officiated the opening of the conference tohonor the International Women's Day in Science held at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in collaboration with the US Embassy and RAPOA..
The conference aims to celebrate and appreciate women in science and build capacity for the next generation of women in Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM).
The theme of this year is inspiring women to engage in science and technology.
Among other activities during the conference was the symposium, which focused on empowering the next generation of women in STEM.
The event took place at NM-AIST because of intense collaboration with strategic partners to spread the contribution of Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) to social, economic transformation and inclusive, sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond .
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology awarded thirty-four (34) staff members who performed well in Research and Innovation and twenty (20) students who did the Exchange Program from Utsunomiya University in Japan.
The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Luoga officiated the Ceremony and awarded certificates to Principal Investigator (PI) for successfully registering their projects in the Research and Innovation Management System (RIMS).
“Your success is NM-AIST success, and together we can reach far,” said Prof. Luoga.
On the other hand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Research and Innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete insisted the staff and students to be transformative by observing the five “D’s”: Management of skills, Research in Innovation, Outreach Community engagement, Innovation in Management and commercialization.