UDSM Earns Recognition for Excellence in Student Loan Management
By Mercy Machange, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has once again been recognised among Tanzania’s top 10 higher education institutions for outstanding performance in student loan management, earning a national award from the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The latest recognition, presented during the HESLB 15th Technical Working Session in Mwanza on 23–24 September 2026, marks another year of strong performance by UDSM in managing student loan services and strengthening coordination with the Board.
The award was presented by Mwanza Regional Commissioner Hon. CP Salum Hamduni, who served as Guest of Honour at the technical session, and was received on behalf of UDSM by Mr. Lugano Mwakyusa, Head of the Students’ Finance Unit.
The recognition acknowledges the University's effectiveness in managing key aspects of student loan administration, including timely submission of tuition-related information, accurate student records, effective coordination with HESLB and smooth integration with the Board’s systems.
The latest award also builds on UDSM’s achievement in the 2024/2025 academic year, when the University received a similar national recognition from HESLB for outstanding performance in student loan management.
The consecutive recognitions demonstrate sustained institutional efforts to strengthen financial processes and improve services supporting students who depend on higher education financing.
Speaking after receiving the latest award, Mr. Lugano Mwakyusa expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed the Students’ Finance Unit’s commitment to maintaining efficient, transparent and student-centred services.
“This recognition strengthens our commitment to serving our students with dedication and integrity. It also encourages us to continue improving our systems and working closely with HESLB to ensure that students receive efficient and timely loan-related services,” Mr. Mwakyusa said.
Mwakyusa was also presented with a Certificate of Recognition for exemplary leadership in streamlining financial processes and strengthening collaboration between UDSM and HESLB.
Effective institutional systems
The University's continued recognition reflects the importance of effective institutional systems in ensuring that students’ loan information is accurately processed and submitted, discrepancies are addressed promptly and communication with HESLB remains effective.
UDSM Vice Chancellor Prof. William A. L. Anangisye welcomed the recognition, describing it as a testament to UDSM’s strong culture of transparency, accountability and service excellence in supporting student success.
The Vice Chancellor's appreciation comes against the backdrop of UDSM's broader commitment to strengthening student support systems and ensuring that administrative processes contribute to a conducive environment for learning and academic progress.
The achievement was also commended by the Director of Students Services Ms. Paulina Mabuga, who described the recognition as an important milestone for the University and its students.
The award was presented during the two-day technical working session held under the theme “Strong Partnerships, Quality Services: Investing in Our Students.” The session brought together HESLB and higher education institutions to review student financing services, discuss operational challenges and strengthen collaboration aimed at improving the delivery of higher education financing.
The recognition highlights the critical role universities play as partners in the student loan system. Effective administration at institutional level—from maintaining accurate records and submitting tuition information on time to responding to students’ concerns and coordinating with HESLB—can contribute significantly to the smooth delivery of loan services.
For UDSM, being recognised again among the country's top-performing institutions reinforces the value of sustained attention to financial administration, accountability and service delivery.
The consecutive HESLB recognitions for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 underscore UDSM’s continued commitment to efficient student loan management and student-centred service delivery, while strengthening its role as a reliable institutional partner in Tanzania’s higher education financing system.