Tanzania, Finland varsities for renewed geospatial ICT

DAR ES SALAAM: TOP universities in Tanzania and Finland are engaging in discussions prior to renewing their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at paving the way for the implementation of the Geospatial-ICT technologies (GeoICT4e) project.

The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Finland’s Turku University have already signed the new deal for the implementation of the project, while other local universities including Ardhi University (ARU) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) are in the final preparations before signing their respective MoUs.

Ardhi University (ARU)’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Evaristo Liwa, whose institution recently hosted a delegation of 13 people from Finland in Dar es Salaam, expressed optimism that the discussions between Tanzanian and Finnish universities will open up new dimensions of mutual benefit, not only between the engaged institutions but also strengthening the bilateral relationship between Tanzania and Finland.

“The collaboration we share is pivotal in reshaping our educational landscape, specifically in the realms of teaching and learning. Together, we have tirelessly worked towards co-creating innovative, transformative, and scalable learning and research solutions and services for both our students and academic staff,” said Prof Liwa at the meeting.

According to him, this phase of the GeoICT4e project will be concluded in August 2024; hence the ongoing discussions between the involved parties provide avenues to further solidify collaboration at an elevated level.

He mentioned that the collaboration with Finland’s University of Turku began in 2018 with the initiation of the first GeoICT project, which concluded in 2020, paving the way for the GeoICT4e consortium.

“Over the years, Ardhi University together with UDSM, SUA, MoCU, and SUZA have had the privilege of witnessing the successful implementation of various GeoICT4e activities, including the Multicompetence Learning challenge (MCL).

Apart from Prof Liwa, other chancellors who attended the discussions were Prof William Anangisye (UDSM), Prof Raphael Chibunda (SUA), Prof Makame Haji (SUZA), and Prof Alfred Sife (MoCU).

Rectors from Finnish Universities included Prof Jukka Kola (University of Turku), Dr Vesa Taatila (Turku University of Applied Sciences), Dr Orja Andersson (Novia University of Applied Sciences) and Eva Sandberg-Kilpi (Novia University of Applied Sciences).

Speaking on behalf of the Finnish delegation, Prof Jukka Kola from the University of Turku noted that the collaboration is pivotal in reshaping the educational landscape, specifically in the realms of teaching and learning between the two countries.

“As we approach the conclusion of the ‘GeoICT4e’ project in August of this year, it becomes imperative for us to explore avenues to further solidify our collaboration at an elevated level,” said Prof Kola.”

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