IUCEA recognises UDSM for Driving East African Regional Integration through Higher Education Mobility
By Jackson Isdory, CMU
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has recognised the University of Dar es Salaam for its steadfast commitment to advancing regional integration and capacity building in higher education across East Africa.
The institution received a Certificate of Recognition for its active support and implementation of the East African Community Students’ Scholarships Mobility Scheme (EAC-SMS) during the 1st Regional Ministerial Conference on the EAC Common Higher Education Area, held in Munyonyo, Uganda, from 9th to 11th September 2025.
The event was officiated by the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who underscored the critical role of harmonised higher education systems in fostering sustainable development and socio-economic transformation across the EAC bloc.
The conference focused on implementing strategies to harmonise academic standards, qualifications frameworks, and institutional policies across partner states. This initiative aims to facilitate the recognition of academic credentials across borders, promote educational excellence, and enhance students’ employability.
According to IUCEA officials, aligning education systems is a strategic enabler for regional economic growth, facilitating mobility not only for students but also for the workforce.
The EAC-SMS initiative, a flagship programme of the East African Community, is designed to promote student and academic staff mobility among EAC partner states. By fostering knowledge exchange and cultural immersion, the scheme aims to enhance institutional capacity, develop human capital, and prepare a future workforce that is both regionally competitive and globally relevant.
The benefits of this initiative are manifold, including a more diverse and skilled workforce, enhanced academic standards, and a stronger sense of regional identity and cooperation.
This three-day high-level conference, organised by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) in collaboration with the EAC Forum of CEOs of Councils and Commissions for Higher Education, brought together ministers of education, policy makers, and higher education leaders from across the region.
High-level leaders led by Prof. Daniel Mushi, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, alongside senior university leaders and sector stakeholders, represented Tanzania.
Reflecting the vision of a United East Africa
Speaking on behalf of the University upon receiving the award, Prof. Stephen Maluka, Principal, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam, emphasised the broader significance of the recognition.
“This award is not just about the University of Dar es Salaam; it reflects our founding fathers’ vision of a united East Africa where research, innovation, and human capital development form the bedrock of progress. Through initiatives like the EAC-SMS, we are accelerating academic collaboration, nurturing talent, and fostering shared growth across the region,” stated Prof. Maluka.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof. William A. L. Anangisye, highlighted Tanzania’s commitment to this agenda. “Tanzania remains deeply committed to nurturing a higher education system that is both competitive and collaborative. Harmonising standards across the EAC is crucial for unlocking opportunities for our youth and strengthening our collective future.”
As one of the region’s premier academic institutions, UDSM has been instrumental in piloting programmes that align with the EAC-SMS objectives. Over the past year, the University has hosted and sponsored students from multiple EAC partner states while facilitating outbound exchanges for Tanzanian students.
Notably, UDSM provided scholarships to South Sudanese students studying Kiswahili at UDSM, a significant step towards promoting regional academic integration.
The recognition not only affirms UDSM’s leadership role but also positions the institution as a key driver of regional academic diplomacy. Moving forward, UDSM plans to scale its participation by investing in research collaborations, faculty development programs, and policy advocacy to deepen the integration agenda. These future commitments underscore UDSM’s continued dedication to regional academic integration.
The certificate was hailed as a milestone in strengthening academic partnerships and building a shared knowledge economy within the region.
“The future of East Africa depends on how effectively we can collaborate across borders. This award is not merely a recognition of past efforts but a call to action to intensify our pursuit of excellence and innovation for the benefit of the entire region”, said Dr. Augustina Alexander, UDSM Director of Internationalisation, Convocation and Advancement.
The certificate serves as a testament to UDSM’s strategic role in shaping the future of education in East Africa. It reaffirms its dedication to promoting research, innovation, and people-centred development within the regional higher education landscape.