Driving Digital Literacy and STEM: China-Africa Regional Centre for Digital Education Cooperation Launched
By Zamda George, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), in partnership with Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU), has launched a new China–Africa Regional Centre for Digital Education Cooperation. The initiative is set to transform digital literacy and strengthen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education for African teachers.
The launch ceremony, held in early September 2025 at the Confucius Institute, UDSM, brought together university leaders, international partners, government education officials, and school administrators to celebrate this landmark milestone.
The symbolic inauguration was jointly conducted by UDSM Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nelson Boniface, representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. William A.L. Anangisye, and Prof. Huang Xiao of ZJNU, signalling the spirit of partnership and shared vision.
Prof. Boniface described the Centre as "a bold step in our shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive development through education." He noted that the initiative resulted from strategic dialogue and mutual respect between UDSM and ZJNU, aimed at equipping teachers with the digital skills essential to advance STEM education across Africa. "By empowering educators, we unlock the potential of generations to come."
Prof. Huang reinforced the message, calling the Centre "a bridge of innovation and opportunity that will empower teachers to embrace the future of education."
A bridge of knowledge and collaboration
In her opening remarks, Prof. Xiaozhen Zhang, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at UDSM, highlighted that the Centre would serve not only as a hub for training but also as "a bridge of knowledge, collaboration, and friendship between Chinese and Tanzanian educators."
She emphasised the need to equip teachers with digital and scientific literacy in a rapidly changing world, noting that the initiative would inspire both educators and students to thrive in the digital era.
Dr. Nkanileka Loti Mgonda, Dean of the UDSM School of Education, underscored the Centre's timeliness, aligning it with Tanzania's ongoing curriculum reforms and ICT integration in education. "This Centre stands as a beacon of possibility, an avenue where ideas will be exchanged, technologies explored, and educators empowered to shape the future of learning in Tanzania and beyond."
Government representatives also welcomed the initiative. Ms. Hamida Semkuya, Primary and Secondary Education Officer from Ubungo Municipality, Dar es Salaam, described it as a transformative platform expanding opportunities for teachers and learners alike. Mr. Mtundi Nyamuhanga, Secondary Education Officer from Kinondoni Municipality, added that its impact would extend far beyond Dar es Salaam, reaching schools across Tanzania.
From the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE), Director General Mr. GodLove Elineema Siara, represented at the event, commended the partnership, noting that the Centre placed Tanzania "ahead of syllabus plans," with ongoing staff exchanges with China further strengthening bilateral educational ties.
Training the next generation of educators
Immediately following the launch, the Scientific Literacy and STEM Literacy Advancement for African Teachers 2025 training programme commenced. The five-day course brought together Tanzanian and African teachers to strengthen scientific inquiry skills, practical science and engineering activities, and the integration of digital technologies into classroom teaching.
Sponsored by ZJNU's Global Teacher Professional Development Institute and supported by the China-Africa Joint Centre for Science Education, the Confucius Institute at UDSM, and the Joint Education Institute of ZJNU and the
University of Kansas, the training featured expert facilitators from China and Tanzania. Sessions covered AI applications in education, innovative pedagogy, and digital competencies for 21st-century classrooms.
The inauguration of the China-Africa Regional Centre for Digital Education Cooperation cements UDSM's leadership in advancing educational innovation in the region while deepening its global partnerships. As Prof. Huang captured in closing remarks, the initiative represents the building of a "Digital Railway, one that carries knowledge, innovation, and opportunity directly into the hands of Tanzania's educators and students”.