The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology through the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project conducted a training to selected teams from various Higher Learning Institutions. The training was held at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha from December 4^th to 8^th 2023.

The training focused on equipping the team members with essential management skills for identifying unexpected risks and piloting mitigating measures. DUCE team, like other team members, were trained on the following areas: the overview of risk, governance, qualities of risks, risk categorization, risk indicators and key control indicators. Other areas include project fraud risk management, risk management framework, risk implementation action plan, risk action plan mitigation, HEET risk map and risk report.   

In his welcoming note, the HEET Project Assistant Coordinator at National level, Mr. Evaristo Mtitu reminded team members to keep working on HEET project strategic objectives which are based on construction and rehabilitation, upgrading learning resources, updating the curriculum and introducing innovative pedagogical methodologies, promoting online training and digitization, and strengthening the use of digital technology and establishing state of the art ICT and equipment, among others.

In his presentation, Dr. Sako Mayrick, the Principal Officer, Risk Management Systems, Governance and Control, emphasized on the need to understand categories of risks, identify and effectively mitigate such risks. He spent most of his time in describing categories of risks such as financial, operational, strategic, environmental, compliance and governance. He finally guided participants on how to establish risk management framework in their respective institutions.

The National HEET Coordinator and the Director of Higher Education, Dr. Kennedy Hosea, highlighted the significance of this training for all beneficiary institutions and universities by underscoring its pivotal role in the successful execution of the project.

Addressing the team members, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. James Mdoe urged team members to work closely with given projects’ objectives. Prof. Mdoe, raised his concern that the major risk would be not accomplishing the project objectives in time as planned. Hence, he directed the Higher Learning Institutions to continue working hard and make sure that they utilize at least 40% - 50% of the requested fund by April/May 2024.

In her welcoming note, Prof. Suzana Augustino, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Finance, and Administration) at NM-AIST, extended a warm welcome to participants. Speaking on behalf of Prof. Maulilio Kipanyula, the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, expressed her hopes for a highly productive training session contributing significantly to the project's success.

In his concluding remark, the Assistant Auditor General, Mr. Benjamin Mashauri Magai said Higher Learning Institutions have a great task of ensuring that risks are minimized so as to meet the required targets. He further said these institutions are pillars of development since they are major sources of professionals and experts. He finally said the appropriate use of HEET fund will probably promote and brand the responsible institutions.