Finnish Universities and Tanzanian Partners Create Future Collaborations

Date: March 15, 2024

In a display of international collaboration and educational exchange, a high-level delegation from Finland, comprising the Rectors of the University of Turku, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Novia University of Applied Sciences, and the Vice Rector of Novia University of Applied Sciences, traveled on a week-long visit to Tanzania. This insightful trip aimed to deepen ties and explore new avenues of cooperation between Finnish educational institutions and their Tanzanian counterparts, government entities, and organizations.

The delegation engaged in a discussion with Tanzania universities, starting with a visit to Ardhi University to meet the key university partners from five institutions: Ardhi University, University of Dar es Salaam, State University of Zanzibar, Sokoine University of Agriculture, and Moshi Cooperative University. This session was essential for evaluating existing collaborations, revisiting achievements first discussed in Finland in 2022, and brainstorming future cooperation. It provided an excellent opportunity to recognize and enhance the synergy and impact of their partnerships. This was highlighted by the renewal of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the University of Dar es Salaam and the University of Turku. They also agreed to follow up with other MOUs between Ardhi University and the University of Turku, Moshi Cooperative University and the University of Turku, as well as between Sokoine University of Agriculture and the University of Turku. On the same day, the delegation was given a tour of the ARU campuses, offering the Finnish delegates a genuine insight into Tanzania’s rich educational landscape. Then, they visited the State University of Zanzibar as a key achievement of the trip where they signed an MOU between the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) and the University of Turku (UTU), signifying a major step forward in educational collaboration between Tanzania and Finland. This agreement is set to boost cooperation in research, educational exchanges, maritime studies, and joint projects.

To further the cooperation, the delegation attended the GeoICT4e Symposium at the University of Dar es Salaam, an event designed to explore the latest advancements in geospatial and ICT technologies. The focus was on innovative solutions that address global challenges through the integration of science, education, and collaboration. The symposium highlighted success stories of ongoing cooperation between the institutions, featuring high-level presentations, insights from Project IGNITE, experiences shared by mentors and students, and a panel discussion. This exploration underscored the significant role of institutional collaboration in driving digital transformation. The afternoon session of the symposium offered networking opportunities and exhibitions showcasing achievements in the geospatial and IT sectors. During these exhibitions, the University of Turku was spotlighted to share its contributions as an institution, alongside other booths that included projects, NGOs, startups, and more.

The visit explored the extension of the cooperation’s with organization and government where they visited Sahara Ventures, aiming to gain an understanding of Dar es Salaam’s vibrant startup and innovation ecosystem. There, the Finnish delegates were introduced to the dynamic world of Tanzanian entrepreneurship through the stories of four promising startups. These stories showcased the region’s creative energy and hinted at the potential for future joint ventures. And then a visit to Zanzibar Ministries of Blue Economy provided an opportunity for a strategic dialogue that unveiled collaboration opportunities in areas like youth skill development, industrial placements, staff training, and the promotion of geospatial data sharing for marine and coastal conservation. This discussion underscored a mutual ambition to leverage academic and governmental resources to support the blue economy and environmental conservation, with hopes pinned on a forthcoming MOU to formalize these collaborative efforts.

Furthermore, the delegation had an excursion to Mnemba Island, facilitated by Zanzibar’s Ministries of Blue Economy, which offered the Finnish delegation a deep dive into Tanzania’s conservation initiatives. Learning about the protection of coral reefs, sea turtles, and sun antelopes highlighted the critical importance of conservation in sustainable development and the blue economy.

This journey represented more than just a series of formal meetings; it was a leap towards a deeper mutual understanding and recognition of the opportunities and challenges in Tanzania, laying the groundwork for enduring collaborative efforts. The connections and experiences forged during this visit promise to yield substantial benefits, propelling innovation, conservation, and academic excellence.

News associated to the visit: