HEET Project Equips Staff to Deliver 98 Online and Blended Learning Programmes at UDSM
By Renancy Remmy, CMU
In its bold pursuit of digital transformation, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), through the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project, has launched a Capacity Building Training on Online and Blended Learning.
This milestone initiative, implemented under the HEET Project as part of UDSM’s vision to become a ‘smart campus,’ was officially launched on 6 October 2025 at the University Library Auditorium. The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. William A. L. Anangisye, and attended by university leaders, academic staff, and ICT professionals.
Prof. Anangisye described the initiative as a strategic investment in the university’s digital future. “This is more than the launch of a training programme; it marks the unveiling of a vital component of the vision of a University of Dar es Salaam that is digitally empowered, academically vibrant, and nationally relevant,” he said.
He added, “Through this programme, we are preparing our academic staff and ICT professionals to become enablers of a new educational paradigm, one that embraces innovation, inclusivity, and digital pedagogy.”
Prof Anangisye emphasised that the initiative positions the university to respond more effectively to national and global educational demands. It underscores the institution’s broader goal of becoming a leading centre for digital education, innovation, and research within Tanzania and across Africa.
He also urged academic staff to adopt innovative teaching methods, encourage peer-driven learning, and uphold the highest standards of quality, integrity, and inclusivity in digital education delivery.
“ICT staff are expected to ensure the sustainability and functionality of the new systems that power this transformation. For our students, this means a more engaging, flexible, and empowering learning experience that broadens their horizons and deepens their practical knowledge,” he noted.
Delivering Quality Education in the Digital Era
Dr. Fatuma Simba, Head of the Centre for Virtual Learning, explained that the training is designed to equip staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver high-quality education in a digital environment. The initiative supports the implementation of 98 revised academic programmes developed for online and blended delivery, aligning with the university’s Vision 2061.
“Out of the 98 programmes, two postgraduate programmes are offered entirely online, while the remaining undergraduate and postgraduate programmes follow a blended mode, combining online and face-to-face courses”, said Dr. Simba.
Dr. Simba stated that the online programmes include the Master of Science in Transport Planning and Engineering and the Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management, both offered by the College of Engineering and Technology (CoET).
She added: “This training provides our academic and ICT staff with practical tools to facilitate the transition to online and blended learning, ensuring students enjoy flexible, engaging, and inclusive education”.
Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic, Prof Bonaventure Rutinwa, underscored that the training represents more than just a change in teaching mode. “This is not simply a shift in method but a complete paradigm change in how we conceive, produce, and sustain academic excellence in the digital age. I urge our staff to actively participate and integrate digital tools into their teaching practices,” he said.
He outlined three main objectives of the training: capacity enhancement, quality assurance, and sustainability through innovation, emphasising that participants will gain both technical competence and confidence in applying digital technologies in teaching and learning.
Investing in Digital Infrastructure
Providing insights into the infrastructure supporting this transformation, Deputy Vice Chancellor-Planning, Finance and Administration and UDSM-HEET Project Coordinator, Prof Bernadeta Killian, highlighted the scale of the university’s investment.
“Through the HEET Project, we have allocated resources to digitise business processes, enhance teaching and learning with new technologies, and improve overall operational efficiency. These initiatives are in line with the UDSM Smart Campus Roadmap 2022–2032,” she said.
Prof. Killian added that teaching and learning platforms such as Moodle LMS, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), and Open Educational Resources (OER) have been upgraded to their latest versions, enhancing access to digital learning materials and interactive content.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Prof Nelson Boniface, also highlighted the role of digital transformation in advancing research and innovation. “Digital tools are key to improving the accessibility, quality, and impact of our research output,” he noted.
The training marks yet another decisive step in the university’s digital journey, empowering its community to teach, learn, and innovate in ways that align with the evolving demands of the 21st century.