UDSM Unveils Strategic Directorate to Drive Academic Excellence and Global Competitiveness
By Jackson Isdory, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has taken a bold step to strengthen its academic excellence agenda with the establishment of the Directorate of Academic Planning and Strategic Development (DAPSD), a transformative initiative designed to enhance institutional performance, innovation, and global competitiveness.
The newly established Directorate is mandated to provide strategic leadership in academic planning, policy development, and performance management, positioning the University to adopt a more integrated and data-driven approach in designing, implementing, and monitoring academic programmes.
The move aligns with UDSM Vision 2061, which seeks to reinforce the University’s standing as a responsive and globally competitive centre of knowledge.
Speaking on the development, Vice Chancellor Prof. William Anangisye described the Directorate as a major milestone in the University’s reform journey.
“The establishment of DAPSD is a deliberate and forward-looking intervention to strengthen the centrality of academic planning in our institutional ecosystem,” he said.
He added: “It enables us to align programmes, policies, and performance metrics with our long-term vision while enhancing accountability and execution discipline.”
In operational terms, DAPSD will oversee the entire academic planning value chain, from curriculum development and programme accreditation to policy harmonization and performance monitoring, ensuring coherence across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and alignment with national and international standards.
Deputy Vice Chancellor- Academic, Prof. Rose Upor, emphasized the importance of the Directorate in strengthening coordination and academic quality.
“This restructuring enhances coordination, strengthens policy oversight, and ensures that academic programmes are not only compliant but also responsive to emerging societal and industry needs,” she noted.
She added that the Directorate will serve as a vital bridge between academic units and central management: “DAPSD will ensure consistency in standards, compliance with regulatory frameworks, and optimal resource allocation across the University.”
Dr. Hellen Maziku appointed Acting Director, DAPSD
In a related development, the Vice Chancellor has appointed Dr. Hellen Henry Maziku as Acting Director of DAPSD for the remainder of the 2024/2025–2026/2027 triennium.
A Senior Lecturer at the College of Information and Communication Technologies, Dr. Maziku brings extensive expertise in cyber security, artificial intelligence, and human-centered design, alongside strong experience in research, innovation, and consultancy.
Accepting the appointment, Dr. Maziku outlined a forward-looking vision for the Directorate.“Our priority is to institutionalize robust academic planning systems that are data-driven, agile, and aligned with both regulatory frameworks and global best practices”.
She further emphasized the Directorate’s strategic role: “We are positioning DAPSD as a key enabler of academic excellence, ensuring that programme development, policy review, and performance management are seamlessly integrated to support the University’s transformation agenda.”
Under her leadership, the Directorate will spearhead academic strategy development, coordinate programme planning across colleges and institutes, and oversee timely policy reviews.
It will also play a critical role in strengthening curriculum relevance, improving resource utilization, and enhancing monitoring systems to deliver measurable impact.
As UDSM advances its long-term vision, the establishment of DAPSD signals a renewed commitment to excellence, innovation, and accountability, ensuring that its academic enterprise remains competitive and responsive to the evolving demands of the global knowledge economy.