Minister Kabudi Commends UDSM's Scholarly Efforts, Urges Research that Delivers Real Solutions
By Renancy Remmy, CMU
Research conducted through postgraduate and doctoral programmes should generate practical solutions that address Tanzania's development challenges rather than remain confined to academic publications, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Prof. Palamagamba John Kabudi (MP), has said.
Speaking during his visit to the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) pavilion at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), popularly known as Sabasaba, Prof. Kabudi commended the University's growing portfolio of research, innovations and community-oriented technologies, describing them as evidence of how higher education can drive national development through knowledge-based solutions.
After touring exhibitions showcasing research projects from various colleges and institutes, the Minister urged UDSM to continue strengthening postgraduate and doctoral education by placing greater emphasis on research that responds directly to the country's socio-economic needs.
"The quality of education at UDSM has earned the University its reputation over many decades. That quality must be safeguarded, particularly at postgraduate and PhD levels, where research should generate knowledge, technologies and innovations that solve real problems facing our communities and contribute to national development”, Prof. Kabudi said.
He said Master's and PhD programmes should nurture researchers capable of producing evidence that informs public policy, supports industrial growth and stimulates innovation across key sectors of the economy.
"Research should not end on library shelves or in academic journals alone. Its true value lies in improving people's lives through innovations, technologies, policies and practical solutions that respond to society's needs”, he said.
Prof. Kabudi observed that Tanzania's development agenda increasingly requires universities to become centres of innovation that produce highly skilled researchers capable of addressing emerging challenges in sectors such as infrastructure, health, agriculture, education, energy and environmental sustainability.
He noted that achieving this goal will require continued investment in quality postgraduate education, modern research facilities and stronger collaboration between academia, government and industry.
"Universities cannot work in isolation. Strong partnerships with government institutions, the private sector and development partners are essential if research findings are to be translated into products, services and technologies that create jobs, strengthen industries and improve public service delivery”, he said.
Sabasaba: a platform to bring research closer to the public
The Minister also praised UDSM for using the Sabasaba exhibition as a platform to bring research closer to the public, saying such engagements help demonstrate the value of university research beyond the classroom.
"This exhibition enables citizens, policymakers and industry to appreciate the important contribution universities make to national development. It is encouraging to see research being presented in ways that people can understand and relate to because that is how innovation reaches society”, he said.
Prof. Kabudi further encouraged the University to accelerate the commercialization of research outputs, noting that homegrown innovations have the potential to reduce dependence on imported technologies while creating new economic opportunities for Tanzanians.
For its part, UDSM says it remains committed to strengthening research excellence through postgraduate education, interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic partnerships that generate knowledge with real-world impact.
The University's participation in the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair reflects this commitment by showcasing innovations and technologies that address national priorities while creating stronger links between academia, industry and society.
Through its continued investment in quality postgraduate training, cutting-edge research and innovation, UDSM is reinforcing its role as Tanzania's leading institution of higher learning—producing graduates, researchers and technologies that contribute to sustainable socio-economic transformation both nationally and beyond.