ACACIA, UDSM INKS MoU TO IMPROVE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY

Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, Professor Rwekaza Mukandala, (2nd-L), and Deo Mwanyika, (2nd-R) , who is Acacia Vice President (Corporate Affairs), display documents after they had signed at the University’s Mlimani campus in Dar es Salaam late on Tuesday. The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Acacia Mining that would support 52 students and staff in various areas hence to improve quality of engineering sector. Right is Acacia's Chief Advisor, Learning and Training, Jannet Reuben Lekashingo, and UDSM's Acting Secretary to Council and Corporate Counsel who is also, the Intellectual Property Manager, Dr. Saudin Mwakaje.

 K-VIS BLOG/Khalfan Said

THE University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has signed  a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Acacia Mining that would support 52 students  and staff in various areas hence improve quality of engineering sector .

Speaking shortly before signing of the MoU on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam , Deo Mwanyika , who is Acacia Vice President (Corporate Affairs) , said  there are a number of aspects that the company and University are partnering.

He mentioned some of aspects as a two year practical work experience for 2^nd  and 3^rd year students, funding for university laboratory equipment, sponsorship of postgraduate  mining/mineral process engineering students and bursary for six students.

He said the two year practical work experience for the mentioned students  in the chemical  and Mining engineering department  in various fields of significance to Tanzania’s development agenda in relation to the mining sector.

Mwanyika congratulated the first 52 students  who will be part of the program  and asked them to apply the knowledge and experience gained from practical training for the development of Tanzania.

Further more, he said Acacia  is committing more than 22m/- finances for purchase  of laboratory equipment, student site visit  and practical experience  at its mine sites and helps supervise final year students on their project works.

“This support , exposure and experience are critical  to our students the future professional workforce  of our country Acacia creates  that solid foundation one needs for their career ahead”, he said.

Under the two year signed Mou, he said the company has for the new study year allocated 6 scholarship for students at CoET.

Mwanyika noted that education is an important factor  for economic development , but most students are  not in a position to pay for their tertiary education due to lack of funds.

“As Tanzania’s leader in the mining sector , the firm  is committed  to further increase its investment in higher education ,” he assured.

He urged students at UDSM and other institutions  of higher learning in Tanzania to  realize that they are  honored a lot , having access to education that is distant dream to many others in the country.

“Whoever will be beneficiary of the next two years Acacia internship and  scholarship programs you have a responsibility to give back to our community  and county imparting the knowledge you have gained,” he said.

The  firm has run the scholarship program with UDSM since 2009 ,  which supported top  undergraduate students  and offered scholarships to  academic staffs to pursue postgraduate studies

Speaking earlier , the Principal of College of Engineering and Technology (CoET) Prof Ignas  Rubaratuka, said the support from Acacia has focused in practical training, industrial oriented students projects  and provision of engineering and design and modeling software.

He said the University through the CoET has always been seeking to forge productive and constructive partnership with the industry for the mutual benefits of all

He said the collaboration between UDSM and Acacia Mining has been an exemplary  partnership that they are proud of and need to be consolidated in order to continue training mining  engineers.

“This is huge obligation that if left alone, without support of the industry  like Acacia, we can hardly make meaningful contribution as it is understood all over the world that training of engineers is an expensive though necessary undertaking”, he said.

He added that, there fore most of time , universities are obliged  to seek partnerships with industry and tend to orient their training to solve problems of the industry so as to attract the industry to fund their activities which eventually benefit the industry.

Explaining further he said some of the graduates from mining programs have secured employment in various  countries namely Australia, South Sudan, Mali, Ghana, South America and South Africa.

He noted that one of the objectives of the MoU that has not been fully realized to the satisfaction of both sides is the component of  staff training.

Like any other organization, the University is constantly  striving to train younger staff as part of its succession plan.

“You will agree with me that the quality of the graduates will depend  partly on the quality of instructors that the University engages, we are committed to this and any funds set aside for training will be used only for this purpose,” he concluded.