From Classroom Dreams to National Solutions: UDSM Brings Innovation and Opportunity to Zanzibar Education Expo
By Dickens Dominic, CMU
Students exploring their future careers, parents seeking reliable guidance, and education stakeholders searching for opportunities found a one-stop destination at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) pavilion during the Seventh Zanzibar Higher Education Week Exhibition, where the University is showcasing not only its academic programmes but also the research and innovations shaping Tanzania's development.
Held at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds under the theme "Innovation and Education as the Foundation for Sustainable Development," the exhibition has brought together higher learning institutions from Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar to provide prospective students with information on academic programmes, scholarships, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and career pathways.
Opening the exhibition, the Permanent Secretary in Zanzibar's Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Ms Umrat Suleiman Mohammed, said the event has become one of the country's most important platforms for connecting higher education institutions with the public.
She revealed that participation has grown significantly since the exhibition was launched in 2020, with the number of participating institutions increasing from 16 to 85 in 2026.
"This remarkable growth demonstrates the confidence that institutions and stakeholders have in the exhibition as a platform for providing information on higher education opportunities, scholarships, research, innovation, employment and entrepreneurship," she said.
Ms Mohammed noted that the Ministry, through its Higher Education Coordination Unit, organizes the exhibition annually to ensure that students, parents and the wider public receive timely and reliable information needed to make informed academic and career decisions.
She encouraged members of the public to take full advantage of the exhibition and announced that the next phase of the event will be held at Gombani Grounds in Pemba.
UDSM’s Engagement with prospective students
For UDSM, the event offers an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with prospective students while demonstrating how university education extends beyond the classroom to generate practical solutions for national and global challenges.
Speaking at the exhibition, UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic, Prof. Rose Upor, said the institution remains committed to ensuring that students and parents have access to accurate information that enables them to make informed decisions about higher education.
"Choosing a university is one of the most important decisions a young person makes. We are here to provide reliable information about our academic programmes, admission requirements, scholarships, research opportunities and student life so that prospective students can confidently plan their future," said Professor Upor.
She noted that UDSM's participation also reflects the University's broader mission of producing highly skilled graduates while advancing research and innovation that address pressing societal needs.
"At UDSM, we are not only preparing graduates for employment but also nurturing innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs capable of contributing meaningful solutions to Tanzania's development priorities and the global knowledge economy," she added.
Throughout the exhibition, UDSM experts have been engaging visitors on undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes offered across the University's colleges, schools, institutes and campuses. The team is also providing guidance on admission procedures, scholarship opportunities, student support services, learning facilities and career prospects.
Beyond academic programmes, the University is showcasing research and innovation projects developed in partnership with government institutions, industry and development partners to address challenges in health, agriculture, environmental sustainability, digital technology, business, governance and other strategic sectors.
The University's pavilion has attracted considerable interest from students seeking opportunities in science and technology, health sciences, engineering, business, law, education, humanities and the social sciences, with academic staff offering personalized advice on programme selection and career pathways.
Parents and guardians visiting the exhibition are also learning about UDSM's modern teaching facilities, laboratories, libraries, innovation hubs, student support services, leadership development programmes, sports facilities and international partnerships that prepare graduates to compete in an increasingly global labour market.
Closing the exhibition, the Acting Minister for Education and Vocational Training of Zanzibar, Hon. Shaaban Ali Othman, underscored the growing importance of higher education in driving sustainable national development.
"The future of our nation depends on universities that produce competent graduates, generate impactful research and embrace innovation capable of responding to the demands of the modern economy," he said.
He called on universities to continuously improve the quality of education, strengthen collaboration with industry and research institutions, and align academic programmes with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Acting Minister also urged higher learning institutions to expand high-quality research and publish findings in internationally recognised journals to support evidence-based policymaking, while encouraging students to embrace innovation, technology and entrepreneurship as drivers of personal success and national transformation.
Through its participation in the exhibition, UDSM continues to reinforce its position as Tanzania's leading university by bringing quality higher education closer to the public and demonstrating how excellence in teaching, research and innovation is contributing to sustainable development and the country's future.