News

By Zamda George, CMU

The University of Dar es Salaam History Scholar Dr. Salvatory S. Nyanto has been appointed an Affiliate Member of the Indian Ocean World Centre (IOWC) at McGill University, in Canada, it can be reported.

The news of this appointment, which is a testament to Dr. Nyanto's expertise and research interests in the history of the Indian Ocean world and African studies, was communicated in a letter from the Director, Indian Ocean World Centre (IOWC), McGill University, Prof. Gwyn Campbell dated 23 August, 2023.

“Because of your research interests, we would like to invite you to become an Affiliate Member of the Indian Ocean World Centre (IOWC) at McGill University - https://indianoceanworldcentre.com/”, stated the letter from Prof. Campbell.

The letter further explained that, as a member, Dr. Nyanto would, if visiting the IOWC, have access to the excellent small library, notably on historical European voyages to and from the Indian Ocean World (IOW), South Asian history, and Apartheid South Africa, as well as in microfiche form, historical US consular archives for the IOW (from South Africa to China). “Additionally, we have high-quality document scanners and microfilm digitalisation hardware available.”

“Further, we have a number of publication outlets that might be of interest to you and your students, including a Working Paper Series (https://indianoceanworldcentre.com/the-iowc-working-paper-series/) open- access, Scopus-indexed, Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies, published by Johns Hopkins University Press (https://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/journal-indian-ocean-world-studies), and the Palgrave book series in Indian Ocean World Studies (https://link.springer.com/series/14661)”, added the letter.

UDSM commitment to international collaboration and research excellence

UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research, Prof. Nelson Boniface congratulated Dr. Nyanto on this prestigious appointment and said that the University looks forward to the fruitful outcomes of this collaboration, “which promises to advance the academic mission of the University and contribute to the global understanding of the Indian Ocean region's complex history”.

“This affiliation is not only a significant recognition of Dr. Nyanto's scholarly contributions but also reinforces UDSM’s commitment to international collaboration and research excellence. Through this partnership, the University aims to further its engagement in global academic networks, fostering research that contributes to a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural dynamics of the Indian Ocean world”, said Prof. Boniface.

Dr. Nyanto, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, College of Humanities and Director in the Office of the Vice Chancellor received this appointment with gratitude and honour to his department and the University of Dar es Salaam at large.

A prolific history scholar

Dr. Nyanto, a prolific history scholar, has researched extensively in the areas of Religion and Empire; Slavery and Missionaries; and Christian-Muslim relations. In 2022, Dr. Nyanto was appointed a member of the Editorial Board of the African History Review for three years, effective from 1st November, 2022.

He also serves as member of the Advisory Board for the project “Women at Work: for a comparative history of African female urban professionals (Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Ghana), 1919-1970” (2023-2027) which is housed in the Institut des Mondes Africains (IMAF) in France and the University of Bologna in Italy.

Dr. Nyanto is author of a book, Slave Emancipation and Christian Community in Post-Abolition Tanzania, 1878-1978 (London and New York: James Currey, 2024). He is currently, chair of the editorial team for the book project, ‘A History of Post-Colonial Tanzania: Essays in Honour of Prof. Isaria N. Kimambo.’ He is also co-editing ‘Six Decades of Production of Historical Knowledge at Dar es Salaam’, and ‘Utumwa na Maisha Baada ya Utumwa katika Jamii za Afrika Mashariki’.

As part of the Indian Ocean World Centre (IOWC) project, Dr. Nyanto is currently organizing an edited book, Slavery and Post-Slavery in Eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean World, along with Dr. Philip Gooding (McGill University) and Dr. Saada Wahab (State University of Zanzibar). The book will be published by Palgrave McMillan as part of Palgrave Series in Indian Ocean World Studies.