Leadership Beyond the Classroom: Graduates of Visionary Leaders Programme to Drive National Transformation
By Selemani Nambimbi, CMU
Leadership should be judged not by the certificates people earn but by the positive impact they create in their institutions and communities, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Mursali Milanzi, has said.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour during the graduation of the inaugural Visionary Leaders Programme (VLP) at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Milanzi challenged graduates to turn the knowledge and skills they had acquired over the six-month programme into practical solutions that strengthen institutions and advance Tanzania's Development Vision (DIRA) 2050.
“Leadership is more than a certificate. We expect to see the quality of leaders this programme has produced reflected in the institutions and communities you will serve”, he said.
Dr. Milanzi said Tanzania's socio-economic transformation will require leaders who possess not only technical competence but also integrity, innovation and the ability to respond to increasingly complex development challenges.
He underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between universities, government and the private sector in designing leadership programmes that prepare professionals capable of meeting the country's evolving labour market needs.
“Our country needs leaders who continue learning, adapt to change and inspire others. Higher learning institutions have a responsibility to produce graduates whose knowledge translates into real impact”, he said.
Drawing on his experience as an academic, Dr. Milanzi encouraged graduates to pursue authentic learning rather than focusing solely on academic performance.
"I always told my students that it is better to earn a C you can defend than an A that does not reflect your true abilities. Knowledge and competence will always take you further than grades alone," he added.
The graduation marked the successful completion of the inaugural Visionary Leaders Programme, a partnership between UDSM and Empower aimed at strengthening leadership capacity among middle managers, senior managers and supervisors from both the public and private sectors.
The six-month programme equipped participants with practical skills in strategic leadership, decision-making, communication, organisational transformation and innovation, while aligning leadership practice with the aspirations of Tanzania Development Vision (DIRA) 2050.
True value of the programme
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Public Services at UDSM, Prof. Neema Mori, congratulated the graduates and reminded them that the true value of the programme would be measured by the difference they make in their workplaces and communities.
“The knowledge and skills you have gained through this programme should not remain in the classroom. Apply them in the real world by demonstrating ethical, innovative and responsible leadership. We expect you to become a generation of leaders who will contribute meaningfully to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Tanzania's long-term development aspirations”, she said.
Prof. Mori said UDSM remains committed to developing leaders who combine academic excellence with practical competencies capable of transforming organisations and improving society.
Representing the inaugural graduating class, Lilian Salvatore Shauri described the programme as a transformative journey that reshaped both her personal outlook and professional approach to leadership.
“This programme reminded me that growth begins the moment we step outside our comfort zone. For me, overcoming my fear of public speaking became a symbol of the transformation I experienced throughout this journey”, she said.
Shauri recalled that before joining the programme, she had reached a stage where both her personal and professional growth had stalled. Seeking to become a more effective leader, she enrolled in the programme in search of new knowledge and perspectives.
She said the experience exceeded her expectations and fundamentally changed her understanding of leadership.
“Leadership is not about authority or position. It is about building trust, serving others, listening with humility and creating opportunities for people to grow and succeed”, she said.
According to Shauri, the combination of executive coaching, emotional intelligence assessments, business simulations, real-life case studies and practical leadership exercises enabled participants to develop greater self-awareness and strengthen their ability to lead high-performing teams.
She added that she had already begun applying the lessons in her workplace, where the results were becoming evident.
“Communication has improved. Collaboration has become stronger. People have taken greater ownership of their work because leadership built on trust creates an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered”, she said.
Expressing appreciation to fellow graduates, faculty members and programme organisers, Shauri said the inaugural cohort carries a unique responsibility to ensure that the knowledge acquired translates into lasting impact.
“The knowledge we have gained should not remain in this room. It should be reflected in how we lead, how we mentor others, how we make decisions and how we contribute to Tanzania's development”, she said.
Throughout the programme, participants engaged in leadership boot camps, executive coaching, business simulations, networking forums and self-paced learning that blended academic excellence with practical workplace experience.
The curriculum also strengthened competencies in leadership and influence, communication, strategy execution, operational excellence, teamwork and digital innovation, while exposing participants to national development priorities, including industrialisation, agriculture, mining, tourism and public sector transformation.
Upon graduation, participants were inducted into the ‘2050 Club’, an alumni network established to promote lifelong learning, collaboration, innovation and leadership excellence beyond the classroom.
The graduation of the inaugural cohort marks an important milestone in UDSM's commitment to producing visionary leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to transform institutions, inspire innovation and contribute meaningfully to Tanzania's sustainable development.
Through its partnership with Empower, the University continues to strengthen its role not only as a centre of academic excellence but also as a catalyst for developing the next generation of leaders capable of shaping the country's future.