UDSM Wins National Recognition for Green Excellence, Secures Second Place in 2026 Cleanliness Awards
By Zamda George, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has once again affirmed its leadership in environmental stewardship after emerging second in the 2026 National Environmental Cleanliness Awards, a prestigious initiative organized by the Ministry of Health of Tanzania.
The results, officially announced on 29 April 2026, ranked the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) first, followed by UDSM in second position, while Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) secured third place.
The annual national awards bring together institutions of higher learning from across the country to assess standards of environmental sanitation, waste management systems, campus hygiene, and the effectiveness of public health and cleanliness campaigns.
For UDSM, the latest honour adds to an expanding record of national recognition and further strengthens its reputation not only as Tanzania’s leading university in teaching, research, and innovation, but also as a model institution in sustainability, public service, and responsible environmental management.
Speaking after the announcement, UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor – Planning, Finance and Administration, Prof. Bernadeta Killian, described the achievement as the outcome of sustained institutional commitment and a deeply rooted culture of environmental responsibility.
“This recognition is not accidental. It reflects years of deliberate investment in maintaining a clean, safe, and sustainable university environment. At UDSM, environmental responsibility is part of our institutional culture and identity. We are proud of this achievement, but we also see it as motivation to do even better,” said Prof. Killian.
He noted that the University’s environmental agenda is closely aligned with its broader mission of academic excellence, innovation, and societal transformation, while contributing to global sustainability goals.
A truly green and evergreen learning environment campus
The Acting Director of Estate Services at UDSM, Eng. Dr. Daudi Augustino, said the University’s success has been driven by strategic and structured interventions designed to transform the campus into a truly green and evergreen learning environment.
“Our vision goes beyond cleanliness alone. We are building an evergreen campus through integrated waste management systems, routine environmental audits, landscaping programmes, and continuous tree planting initiatives. These efforts are steadily shaping UDSM into a modern ecological model for higher learning institutions,” he explained.
Situated on more than 1,600 acres, the University of Dar es Salaam campus offers a unique setting for large-scale environmental planning and management, where natural ecosystems coexist with modern academic infrastructure to support both learning and sustainability.
In recent years, the University has intensified its environmental efforts through strategic partnerships and sustainability-focused programmes that promote climate awareness, environmental innovation, and responsible resource use. These initiatives continue to position UDSM among institutions playing a central role in responding to national and global environmental challenges.
The Ministry of Health, which coordinates the awards under its broader public health agenda, has consistently emphasized that clean and healthy environments are essential for disease prevention, productivity, and community well-being.
For UDSM, the 2026 recognition is more than a ranking—it is a reaffirmation of its identity as a university that not only excels academically, but also leads by example in building a healthier, greener, and more sustainable future for Tanzania and beyond.