Prestige, Scholarship and National Service Define UDSM’s 56th Graduation as 94 New PhDs are Conferred
By Zamda George, CMU
An atmosphere of pride, scholarly distinction and national prestige filled Mlimani City Hall on May 25, 2026, as the University of Dar es Salaam conferred degrees upon 876 graduates, including 94 new PhD holders, during Cluster I of its 56th Graduation Ceremony.
The landmark event presided over by the University Chancellor and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, reaffirmed UDSM’s position as a leading centre of research excellence, innovation and intellectual leadership in Africa.
The doctoral graduates, drawn from 15 academic disciplines, reflected the University’s expanding role in producing highly skilled researchers, innovators and professionals capable of driving national transformation and global development.
Unlike the energetic celebrations often associated with undergraduate graduations, the PhD ceremony carried an atmosphere of calm confidence, academic maturity and global scholarly prestige. Dressed in elegant academic regalia, the newly conferred doctors walked proudly across the stage, symbolizing years of sacrifice, resilience, rigorous research and intellectual commitment.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chancellor Kikwete urged graduates to use their education and research to solve societal challenges and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Your education must become a tool for bringing positive change to society. The knowledge and expertise you have acquired should help drive innovation, leadership and transformation for the benefit of Tanzania and the wider global community,” said Chancellor Kikwete.
He further emphasized the importance of research and knowledge creation in shaping Africa’s future, noting that universities must continue producing scholars capable of offering evidence-based solutions to emerging national and global challenges.
UDSM’s continued growth in teaching, research, innovation and international competitiveness
The Vice Chancellor of UDSM, Prof. William A. L. Anangisye, described the graduation ceremony as a reflection of the University’s continued growth in teaching, research, innovation and international competitiveness.
Presenting the University’s annual progress report, Prof. Anangisye revealed that UDSM currently has 235 researchers ranked among Tanzania’s top 1,000 researchers according to the AD Scientific Index 2026, representing 23.5 percent of all top researchers across 50 institutions nationwide.
He further noted that the University has continued strengthening academic quality and labour market responsiveness through curriculum reforms, with 285 undergraduate and postgraduate curricula reviewed based on stakeholder feedback and changing market demands.
Prof. Anangisye also highlighted major achievements in innovation and research commercialization, revealing that UDSM researchers and innovators registered six patents through BRELA during the 2025/2026 academic year, some involving student innovators.
The innovations include technologies related to bioethanol production, mushroom cultivation using sisal waste, organic fertilizer production, protein feed development using Black Soldier Fly larvae, and wine production from bamboo juice — reflecting the University’s growing contribution to green economy solutions and value addition through science and innovation.
“These achievements demonstrate UDSM’s ability to add value to local resources, promote the green economy and use science to provide practical development solutions,” said Prof. Anangisye.
The Vice Chancellor further revealed that through the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project, the University is currently constructing 21 new buildings and renovating three others, a move expected to increase student capacity by 4,812 spaces.
He added that UDSM has also expanded digital learning infrastructure by increasing internet capacity, digitizing more than 1,000 courses and providing short-term professional training to nearly 3,000 staff members.
Addressing the graduates directly, Prof. Anangisye reminded them that education is both a privilege and a responsibility to society.
“Education is not merely a personal achievement or decoration. It is a responsibility and a debt to the nation. Use the knowledge you have acquired to serve society, create opportunities and contribute to national development,” he told the graduates.
He encouraged graduates to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, digital economy opportunities and problem-solving approaches, particularly in situations where formal employment opportunities may take time to emerge.
“Do not see employment as office work alone. Opportunities often emerge where knowledge is used to solve societal challenges,” Prof. Anangisye emphasized.
Dr. Paul Msoka, a visually impaired scholar earning a PhD in Education
One of the most inspiring moments of the ceremony was the graduation of Dr. Paul Msoka, a visually impaired scholar who earned a PhD in Education after previously completing both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees within the University of Dar es Salaam system.
Dr. Msoka’s achievement stood out as a powerful testimony to resilience, determination and UDSM’s commitment to inclusive education and equal access to academic opportunities.
A researcher in inclusive education and visual impairment studies, Dr. Msoka has contributed scholarly work focusing on improving learning opportunities for students with visual impairment in Tanzania’s inclusive schools.
His success story drew admiration from fellow graduates, lecturers, family members and guests attending the ceremony, inspiring many young Tanzanians living with disabilities to pursue higher education and professional excellence.
Throughout the ceremony, emotional moments unfolded as graduates celebrated with supervisors, colleagues, friends and family members. Smiles, embraces and photographs captured years of perseverance, sacrifice and academic dedication behind each achievement.
Tanzania’s premier institution of higher learning, a symbol of academic excellence
Established in 1961, the University of Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania’s premier institution of higher learning and a symbol of academic excellence, having produced generations of influential leaders, policymakers, scholars, diplomats, entrepreneurs and professionals shaping Tanzania, Africa and the wider world.
For the Class of 2026, the graduation ceremony marked not only the end of an academic journey, but also the beginning of a new chapter of leadership, innovation and national service.
As celebrations continued outside Mlimani City Hall, one message remained unmistakably clear — the future of Tanzania’s intellectual, scientific and developmental transformation continues to be shaped at the University of Dar es Salaam.