Dr. Abdulla Ally is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). He holds a PhD in Systems Analysis and Integration Engineering from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. He also holds both a Master’s and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science from the University of Dar es Salaam. His research interests include network modelling, big data analytics, network science and information systems. With over 16 years of professional experience in the ICT sector across both public and private institutions, he brings expertise to both academia and consultancy. As an academic, he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including Business Process Management, Integrated Health Information System Architecture, Network and Systems Administration, Software Project Management, Structured System Analysis and Design, and Object-Oriented System Analysis and Design.

Dr. Abdulla is an experienced academic and ICT expert with a strong background in ICT strategy, organizational management, and higher education. He also has solid expertise in curriculum development, academic quality assurance, and higher education consultancy. He played a key role in designing and developing the ICT Curriculum Benchmark for undergraduate degrees (UQF Level 8) within the ICT cluster in Tanzania, contributing to national education standards. He has also assessed and validated academic curricula in alignment with the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) standards, covering NTA Levels 4 to 9 across various higher learning institutions in the country. Since 2018, he has served as an external examiner for multiple universities across Tanzania, contributing to the quality assurance and academic standards of higher education institutions. At UDSM, he has held various administrative roles, including coordinating a range of academic programs such as postgraduate, non-degree, and professional courses. At the national level, he has contributed to a range of government initiatives focused on improving public sector systems. One of his contributions was serving as Chair of an expert team responsible for troubleshooting and addressing challenges of one of the national government systems. In this role, he also guided the requirements gathering process for a newly developed system under the PO-PSMGG initiative. His efforts were instrumental in advancing digital governance and enhancing public service delivery across the country.

In 2019, he served as one of the Local Arrangement Chairs for the 2019 IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference held in Dar es Salaam. In this role, he contributed to the planning, logistics, and successful execution of the event. The conference, which focused on Southern-driven cooperation, emphasized the importance of research initiatives developed by, for, and within the Global South, positioning developing countries not merely as consumers of technology, but as active leaders in ICT innovation tailored to their unique social and developmental contexts. His contribution demonstrated leadership in academic service and strengthened collaboration between local and international research communities. Dr. Abdulla also served as the Managing Director (Chief Executive Officer (CEO)) of the University of Dar es Salaam Computing Centre (UCC), a self-sustaining technology company. In this role, which he held for nearly five years, he provided strategic leadership and operational oversight. Under his guidance, the Company significantly expanded its service offerings, enhanced organizational efficiency, and made meaningful progress toward strengthening its financial sustainability. During his tenure, he also played a key role in the implementation of ICT solutions at both the company and national levels. He led numerous ICT projects for both government and non-government institutions. These include the nationwide development, support, and maintenance of CTC systems for public and private hospitals under the Ministry of Health, as well as the design and implementation of academic registration systems for UDSM, a vital institutional backbone. In addition to software systems, he has significant experience in supervising network infrastructure, ensuring robust operational support across institutional environments. He also established partnerships with industry players with various government agencies and ICT academies. These initiatives enhanced the company’s market positioning, reinforced collaboration, and supported digital skills development across Tanzania. He also spearheaded the successful effort to secure full institutional accreditation for the company across all its campuses, a key milestone in advancing academic integrity and organizational credibility.

Beyond his professional commitments, Dr. Abdulla remains deeply engaged in his local community. He actively participates in community projects and outreach initiatives that support social welfare. Known for his helpful nature, he regularly assists neighbors and contributes to efforts that strengthen community ties.