HEET Accelerates UDSM's Digital Transformation with ICT Boost for Student Services and University Hospital
By Donald Boneka, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has taken another significant step towards strengthening digital service delivery following the handover of new computers to the Office of the Dean of Students and the UDSM Hospital under the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project.
The investment is part of the University's ongoing efforts to modernise ICT infrastructure across critical service units, improving operational efficiency and enhancing the quality of services provided to students, staff, patients, and the wider University community.
Handing over the equipment, the Deputy Vice Chancellor - Planning, Finance and Administration, and HEET Coordinator at UDSM, Prof. Bernadeta Killian, said the HEET Project has become a key driver of UDSM's digital transformation agenda by supporting strategic investments that improve institutional performance and service delivery.
"The HEET Project is transforming the University through strategic investments in digital infrastructure. By equipping our service units with modern ICT facilities, we are enhancing efficiency, improving service delivery, and creating a better experience for students, staff, and other stakeholders”, said Prof. Killian.
She added that continued investment in digital technologies is essential to modernising administrative processes and building a responsive, technology-enabled university capable of meeting the evolving needs of its community.
Echoing the same commitment, the Deputy Coordinator of the HEET Project, Prof. Liberato Haule, said the initiative continues to strengthen the University's capacity through investments that support teaching, research, innovation, and administration.
"Providing these computers to the Office of the Dean of Students and the UDSM Hospital reflects our commitment to accelerating digital transformation across essential service units," he said. "Our goal is to enhance efficiency and ensure that the University delivers faster, more reliable, and technology-driven services."
Receiving the computers, Dr. Paulina Mabuga, Director of Student Services, said the new equipment will significantly improve the office's ability to serve students.
"These computers will strengthen records management, improve communication with students, and enhance online service delivery. They will enable us to provide more efficient, timely, and student-centred services while supporting the University's broader digital transformation agenda”, she said.
Strengthening Digital Healthcare
At the UDSM Hospital, the new equipment is expected to enhance healthcare delivery by improving digital record management and communication among healthcare professionals.
Receiving the computers, the Hospital's Medical Officer In-Charge, Dr. Alfred J. Msasu, described the support as a timely investment that will improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services.
"These computers come at the right time. They will strengthen our electronic medical records system, improve communication among healthcare providers, and enable us to deliver faster, more efficient, and higher-quality healthcare services to our patients”, he said.
Chairperson of the UDSM Hospital Board, Dr. Asser Mchomvu, said investing in ICT is essential for modern healthcare systems, noting that digital technologies improve efficiency while supporting better patient care.
"Investment in ICT is an investment in better healthcare. These computers will enhance our operational efficiency, strengthen patient records management, and support the delivery of reliable, patient-centred healthcare services”, he said.
The University's Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Salome Maro, also underscored the importance of digital infrastructure in healthcare delivery.
"ICT is fundamental to modern healthcare. Reliable digital systems improve the accuracy of patient records, facilitate communication among healthcare professionals, and enable timely access to information for better clinical decision-making. These computers will significantly strengthen the Hospital's digital capacity”, she said.
The handover ceremony was also attended by Dr. Lulu S. Mahai, Director of Social Services, reflecting the University's integrated approach to strengthening both student welfare and healthcare services through strategic investments under the HEET Project.
The initiative forms part of the ongoing implementation of the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project, which is supporting universities across Tanzania through investments in ICT infrastructure, teaching and learning facilities, research, innovation, and institutional capacity.
For UDSM, the investment marks another milestone in its journey towards becoming a digitally enabled university, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, and provide an outstanding experience for students, staff, patients, and the wider community.