ALAF Scholarship Initiative Strengthens UDSM Kiswahili Academic and Regional Role
By Renancy Remmy, CMU
A strengthened academia–industry partnership is advancing the promotion of Kiswahili across East Africa after ALAF Limited, in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), awarded scholarships to three outstanding students to pursue a Master’s degree at the Institute of Kiswahili Studies (TATAKI).
The scholarships are aimed at nurturing academic excellence, strengthening Kiswahili scholarship and advancing the language as a vehicle for education, culture, and regional integration across East Africa and beyond.
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic, Prof. Bonaventure Rutinwa, the Principal of the College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT) Prof. Baraka Maiseli, congratulated the beneficiaries for their exemplary academic performance and encouraged them to uphold integrity, patriotism and community engagement throughout their studies.
Emphasizing on the broader social responsibility attached to education, Prof. Maiseli noted that “Education is a trust. As beneficiaries of this scholarship, you carry the responsibility of applying your knowledge in the serve society, preserving our cultural heritage, and contributing meaningfully to national and regional development”.
He formally handed over the scholarship cheque to the students as a symbolic representation of ALAF Limited’s support.
The representative of the Director of TATAKI, Ms Rhoda Kidami, described the scholarship as a reflection of the shared commitment between UDSM and ALAF Limited in nurturing Kiswahili as a tool for academic inquiry, cultural preservation and social cohesion.
“This partnership demonstrates how academia, and the private sector can work together to strengthen Kiswahili and expand its relevance locally, regionally and globally,” she noted.
Kiswahili as a national treasure
During the official handover ceremony, ALAF Limited’s Communications and Relations Manager, Ms Hawa Bayumi, emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting Kiswahili initiatives, describing the language as a national treasure.
“Kiswahili is one of the great legacies we inherited from the the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. It continues to gain global recognition and remains a powerful unifying force for Africa. Supporting initiatives that promote and strengthen Kiswahili is not only important but necessary”, Ms Bayumi said.
Ms. Bayumi also commended UDSM for its leading role in advancing Kiswahili literature, particularly through initiatives such as the Safal African Literature Kiswahili Award, sponsored by ALAF Limited and its sister companies in Kenya and Uganda.
“As a company that recognises Kiswahili as a vital tool for cultural, social and economic development, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that advance the language,” she added.
The scholarship beneficiaries are Frank John Kaswahili, the Best Student of 2025 with a GPA of 4.8, Yasenta Emanuel Dagati, and Veromina Boazi Kerato. Addressing the recipients, Ms Bayumi encouraged them to fully utilise the opportunity by excelling academically and contributing to the growth and promotion of Kiswahili through research, teaching and creative writing.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, the students expressed gratitude to ALAF Limited and UDSM, assuring stakeholders that they would use the opportunity responsibly and work diligently to advance Kiswahili scholarship.
The Head of the Department of ILUKII at UDSM, Dr. Mussa Shembilu, expressed appreciation to ALAF Limited for its continued support.
“While many students apply for scholarships, only a few are selected. We hope this programme will expand in the future to reach more students and ensure that Kiswahili continues to grow and thrive”, Dr. Shembilu said.
Representing the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Dr. David Koloseni, welcomed the scholarship recipients and reaffirmed UDSM’s commitment to providing a supportive academic environment.
“The University of Dar es Salaam remains dedicated to delivering quality postgraduate education while inspiring students to strive for excellence,” he said.
Through this partnership, UDSM and ALAF Limited continue to demonstrate how collaborative efforts between academia and the private sector can safeguard cultural heritage, empower scholars and strengthen Kiswahili as a language of scholarship and unity.