Building the Bridge from Classroom to Career: Industry and Academia Unite for Tanzania’s Digital Growth
By Ally Mambele, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has reaffirmed its leadership in bridging academia and industry through a dynamic partnership platform, following the successful convening of the 6th Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) Meeting for the ICT and Media Cluster at the PSSF Building in Dar es Salaam.
The meeting brought together leading industry players, policymakers, and academic experts to deliberate on how best to align UDSM’s training, research, and innovation with the fast-evolving demands of the ICT and media industries.
At the heart of the discussions was a shared goal, to strengthen graduate employability and fast-track the commercialization of university-led innovations. The meeting culminated in the signing of several new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with private sector partners, setting clear frameworks for collaboration, internship placements, and technology transfer.
In a significant gesture of support, several industry partners donated state-of-the-art ICT equipment to the university, aimed at enriching hands-on learning and advancing digital competencies among students.
A new chapter for innovation-driven education in Tanzania
Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Zaipuna Yona, Chairperson of the Industrial Advisory Committee, commended the strengthened partnership between academia and industry, describing it as “a new chapter for innovation-driven education in Tanzania.”
“This meeting has demonstrated a powerful collective will to transform the future of our students and our nation. The commitments presented here today from the insightful dialogue and the strategic MoUs to the generous equipment donations, are not merely symbolic”, said Prof. Yona.
He added: “They are a concrete foundation for ensuring our graduates are not only employable but are also innovators and job creators, capable of driving Tanzania’s digital economy forward”.
Participants lauded UDSM’s proactive engagement model, which emphasizes co-creation of knowledge, joint curriculum design, and mentorship programmes that mirror real-world industry needs.
In his closing remarks, a representative from the private sector hailed UDSM’s approach as “a model for sustainable university–industry collaboration that transforms ideas into impact.”
The IAC platform, introduced by UDSM to institutionalise dialogue with industry, continues to evolve as a strategic mechanism for promoting relevance, innovation, and economic competitiveness. The 6th meeting reaffirmed the university’s commitment to producing skilled graduates and practical solutions that propel Tanzania’s socio-economic transformation.