Convocation

Convocation

The Convocation of the University of Dar es Salaam was established under the University of Dar es Salaam Act No. 12 of 1970, charged with functions as summarized below: Maintaining a Convocation roll of the names of all persons who are members of the Convocation, namely senior officers of the University past and present, all academic staff - past and present - , current senior administrative staff, and all alumni of the University, including those of its predecessor University of East Africa as long as those graduates of the former University of East Africa are residents in Tanzania; Discussing any matter within the sphere and competence of the University; and Maintaining dialogue with the government on matters of social, economic and other concern to the welfare of the public. Composition The University of Dar es salaam Convocation comprises the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), all members of the academic staff, all persons who are graduates of the University of East Africa, all persons who become graduates of the University of Dar es Salaam , and any such persons as the Chancellor may appoint as members of the Convocation. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) is the Secretary to the Convocation. The Convocation is led by a President, who is elected by the members. The Convocation has an Executive Committee which is the Executive Organ Chaired by the President. This committee is responsible for carrying out the main functions of the Convocation. The Vice-Chancellor, the Chief Academic Officer and the Chief Administrative Officer of the University are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. Other members of the Executive Committee are elected every triennium, at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or nominated in between the election years, by the President of the Convocation where the situation demands. The Executive Committee’s work is supported by sub-committees, precisely embodying an Activities Sub-Committee and a Publications Sub-Committee. The Convocation Activities Committee acts as the think tank of the Convocation. It conceives the activities and programmes which the Convocation should undertake and reports to the Executive Committee. The Convocation Publications Committee on the other hand, oversees all activities pertinent to publication and dissemination of the Convocation Newsletter, the Journal called Dar Graduate Journal, books arising from proceedings of workshops, symposia, etc. University of Dar es Salaam Academic Staff Assembly is another Committee under the Convocation (UDASA). UDASA was established in August 1980 to provide a forum for members of the academic staff of the University of Dar es Salaam to collectively influence how the University of Dar es Salaam is governed as well as to act as the collective voice of the members of the academic staff on matters which impinged on their lives and work as academicians and as citizens and/or residents of Tanzania. The Convocation has a full-time Liaison Officer employed by the University of Dar es salaam . The officer is responsible for the day to day affairs of the Convocation, ensuring that Convocation lives to the expectations of the members.