UDSM&GSM Group Deepen Partnership to Link Graduates to Jobs, Champion Inclusion and Transform Sports
By Renancy Remmy, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and GSM Group are set to deepen their partnership by expanding opportunities for graduate employment, promoting inclusion and supporting sports development, building on the successes already recorded under their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The commitment was reaffirmed on 31 August 2026 when GSM Group Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Aisha Mohamed, paid a courtesy visit to UDSM, providing an opportunity for both institutions to review the progress of their collaboration and identify new areas for impact.
Welcoming the GSM Group delegation, the UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof. William A. L. Anangisye stressed the importance of turning partnerships into practical initiatives that deliver measurable benefits to students and the University community.
He said the Graduate Training Programme had emerged as one of the most successful areas of collaboration, giving UDSM students valuable industry exposure while creating pathways from university education to employment.
“Our focus is not simply to have agreements on paper, but to ensure that our partnerships translate into tangible opportunities for our students and meaningful impact on society,” Prof. Anangisye said.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted sports as an emerging area of collaboration, noting that investment in sports can complement academic development by promoting students’ physical and mental well-being while nurturing talent and teamwork.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Planning, Finance and Administration, Prof. Bernadeta Killian, said UDSM was increasingly embracing a model of university education that connects academic knowledge with industry and societal needs.
“UDSM is no longer only about producing graduates; we are strengthening the connection between knowledge, industry and society so that what we teach, research and innovate can respond to real-world challenges,” Prof. Killian said.
She added that the University was committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all students have equitable opportunities to develop their talents and participate fully in University life. She also emphasized the importance of integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into institutional development and partnerships.
Taking the collaboration to a higher level
For her part, GSM Group CEO Ms. Aisha Mohamed said the visit was aimed at celebrating the achievements of the partnership while exploring opportunities to take the collaboration to a higher level.
“We have seen the value of this partnership, particularly through the Graduate Training Programme, which has given young graduates practical experience while also allowing GSM Group to identify, develop and retain promising talent,” Ms. Mohamed said.
She revealed that the first cohort of the Graduate Training Programme comprised 26 students, with 23 subsequently securing full-time employment with GSM Group. The second cohort involved 25 students, five of whom have already been employed on a full-time basis.
According to Ms. Mohamed, the performance of UDSM graduates in the programme has demonstrated their readiness to transition from university into the workplace. She described them as talented young professionals with the potential to grow within the organization and contribute to its long-term vision.
A new phase of inclusion
The partnership is also entering a new phase of inclusion. Ms. Mohamed said the third cohort would place greater emphasis on creating opportunities for persons with disabilities, building on the gender diversity promoted in previous cohorts.
“We want the next phase of the programme to be even more inclusive. We believe that talent exists across different backgrounds and abilities, and our responsibility is to create opportunities for young people to demonstrate what they can contribute,” she said.
Sports development also featured prominently in the discussions. Prof. Neema Mori, UDSM Director of Social Services, said the university proposes sports development initiatives that would complement UDSM’s broader commitment to holistic student development.
“Sports are an important part of university life because they build discipline, teamwork, integrity and resilience while contributing to the physical and mental well-being of our students,” Prof. Mori said.
She added that supporting sports development would also provide GSM Group with an opportunity to create lasting value for young people, strengthen its engagement with the University community and contribute to sports excellence.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership and translating the MoU into broader, measurable outcomes. With graduate training already demonstrating a strong link between university education and employment, and new opportunities emerging in inclusion and sports, the UDSM-GSM Group partnership is positioning itself as a model for meaningful university-industry collaboration.