Academicians have been urged to open the boundaries of Education and Employment within the East African Community for the development of the country at large.
This has been stated by the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Prof. Adolf Mkenda during the official opening of the 12th Academic, Public, Private Partnership Forum held at Julius Nyerere International Convention Conference Center, Dar es Salaam from 15th to 17th March 2023
Prof Mkenda said that this forum is the unique platform that links academic institutions both Public and private entities and also academia with industry hence potential aspects for response to societal needs which leads to improving life and the economy.
The government encourages the private sector to participate in academic improvements and provide loans to university students. He advised the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) to shape policies through their engagement to increase effectiveness (educational policy and Curriculum review and argued IUCEA and the university highly engaged internationalization of university staff and students' mobility among regional universities.
On 10th March 2023 NM-AIST received 17 delegates from Air War College of the United States of America including lectures, students led by Sharon E. Spoon who paid an official visit to learn about NM-AIST's Role in Social Security’s Development a lecture which was presented by Dr. Ahmad Kipacha.
The Delegates were received by Acting Dean of Business Studies and Humanities (BuSH) Dr. Pascal Nade and later on had an opportunity to have a court say with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic, Research, and Innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete who took them through NM-AIST five dimensions business models which are Research and Innovation, Postgraduate Training and Skills Development, Outreach and Community Engagement, Incubation Management and Commercialization.
They also discussed possible collaboration in areas of Space and military sciences and promised to become a strategic partner in the future.
The Higher Education, Economic Transformation (HEET) project at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology has a strong mission in supporting and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMi-Africa clubs) by providing financial support to assist in the initial kick-off of the clubs to enable new clubs to access resources, improve programming, increase participation, and encourage STEM careers, Community investment and supporting education.
Speaking during the outreach program sponsored by HEET Project at Longido District in Arusha Region , NM-AIST STEMi Mentor Dr. Neema Mduma said that the STEMi-Africa is an initiative aims to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Africa Agenda 2063 by promoting increased enrollment in STEMi-related subjects and careers, particularly among African women.
“In this project we succeeded in launching STEMi clubs in three secondary schools which are Longido Secondary school, Namanga Secondary School and Engarenaibor Secondary school the goal was to ensure the students and teachers have increased interest and enrollment in STEM-related subjects and careers among students, access to hands-on learning opportunities through practical and engaging activities that can help students understand and apply STEM concepts “said Dr. Neema Mduma
She added that critical thinking and problem-solving skills, essential for success in STEM fields , mentorship and coaching opportunities for students to learn from experienced professionals in STEM fields and community of students with a shared interest in STEM, which can foster collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.
The main goal of STEMi-Africa ta NM-AIST is to engage diverse students in conversations around Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMi) to introduce them to STEMi professionals and highlight the importance of STEMi role models and stories. The primary goal is increased recruitment, retention, and a sense of belonging in STEMi fields.
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in collaboration with William Marsh (Rice University) Houston, Texas United States of America conducted a jointly one-day workshop focusing on Energy, Water and Biomedical Engineering on 13th March, 2023 at NM-AIST Conference Tengeru Campus in Arusha.
The workshop involves speakers from both universities with discussions on topics including Bio-Medical Engineering, Advanced Materials for Energy, Water Treatment and followed by a discussion on collaboration in research education.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop the Dean of School of Life Sciences and Bio-Engineering (LiSBE) Dr. Ernest Mbega on behalf of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Research and Innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete said that it is a great opportunity for both universities to collaborate on such Academic Advancement by conducting the joint workshop with benefit of adding more knowledge on the topics mentioned above.
“ I know that Rice University has a world-renowned faculty in these areas and it seems to align well with two of our school’s which are Material ,Energy Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES) and Life Sciences and Bio-Engineering (LiSBE) I believe this workshop will produce some positive impacts to all participants” Said Dr. Mbega.
On His Side Department Chair of Materials Science and Nano Engineering from Rice University Prof. Pulickel Ajayan said that their University would also like to have some opportunities to interact with NM-AIST students and young researchers who are interested to further their studies and research at Rice University.
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) is a research-based University focusing on five (D) dimensions business models to deliver social-economic transformations for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
That statement was said by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Research, and Innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete during the meeting with the delegates from Coventry University Africa Hub who visited the institution to learn and establish a partnership in various areas of interest on March 9th, 2023.
“As Institution, we are looking for partners where we can strategically do partnership by focusing on resource mobilization and commercialization so as we can serve our society and industrial in solving various challenges,” said Prof. Mshandete
He added that the Institution is also engaging in various forums with the private sector through Academic Public Private Partnerships in nurturing talents and sustainable skills development for graduate employability.
International Research and Innovation Program Manager from Coventry University Africa Hub Prof. Nelson Ijumba was glad to hear about NM-AIST operations and promised to work together on many areas of interest to achieve the desired goals .