Science and Technology

RIPOTI YA KAMATI YA UCHUNGUZI KWA UMMA KUHUSU VYANZO VYA MIGOMO YA WANAFUNZI KATIKA VYUO VYA ELIMU YA JUU NCHINI TANZANIA

Hotuba ya Bajeti Wizara ya Sayansi, Teknolojia na Elimu ya Juu

Science and technology are powerful instruments for development. In Tanzania Science and Technology has played major contributions in our economic development. Some of these important contributions are:
Improvement of the overall productivity by instituting structural changes in the models and methods of production which lead to greater efficiency and innovativeness in economic activities.

Boosting exports by improving the quality of products, reducing the costs of production

Improvement of the food security by supplying technical information to agri-producers and providing reliable markets for their products.

Spreading income earning opportunities by making technical information available to small entrepreneurs in rural and urban Tanzania.

Upgrading the technical skills altitudes and productivity of the labour force through science and technology education and popularization.

Transfer of Technology:
In the past, Tanzania had no deliberate strategies or plans for appropriate selection, acquisition and transfer of technology for effective integration of imported technologies with local capacity for R & D. However, currently deliberate efforts have been put into place in order to make sure that the speed of technology transfer is effective and sustainable. For example the establishment of Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) in 1986 and the Centre for the Development and Transfer of Technology (CDTT) in 1994 are some of the efforts made to institute a workable mechanism for the coordination of capacity building in the selection assessment, negotiation; adoption, research and development, information exchange and extension services.

Present Science and Technology Infrastructure:
Tanzania has a good number of science and technology education infrastructure and R&D institutions in most sectors of economy.

Some of these Centres of science and technology educational infrastructure are:
University of Dar es Salaam
Sokoine University of Agriculture
University College of Lands and Architectural studies
Muhimbili University College of Health Science
Rwegalulira Water Resources Institute
National College of Mbeya, Arusha and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology.

Some of these Centres of R&D and S&T service Institutions are:
Centre for Agricultural Mechanization and Rural Technology
National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)
Serengeti Wildlife Research Institute
Tanzania Bureau of Standards
Tanzania Engineering Manufacture and Design Organisation
Tanzania Forestry Research Institute
Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation
Tanzania Industrial Studies and Consulting Organisation
Tropical Pesticides Research Institute


Policy/Regulatory Framework:
The first National Science and Technology policy was enacted in 1985 and revised in 1995. The major thrust of this policy is to establish relative priorities programme for generating new knowledge and to determine strategies for the application of science and technology development in Tanzania.
Science and technology policy is therefore a tool to develop and manage science and Technology in a manner consistent with physical and human endowments of any country. The broad objectives of the Science and Technology Policy for Tanzania are therefore to:
Promote science and technology as a tools for economic development, the improvement of human. Physical and social well being and for the protection of national sovereignty.
Promote scientific and technological self-reliance in support of economic activities through the upgrading of R&D capabilities.
Promoting and encouraging the public and private productive sectors in developing science and technology.
Promote active participation of women in science and technology.
Establish and/or strengthen national science and technology institutions.

Professional Association:
The government of Tanzania supports the formulation and/or strengthening of professional associations, science clubs, academies of science and areas, especially in educational institutions, in order to enhance scientific culture, public awareness and overall progress in science and technology. It is anticipated that, these associations should take an active role in popularizing science and technology through seminars, workshops, lectures, films and publications.

Professional association includes:
World University Service. It is involved in providing scholarships to the poor under privileged and persecuted people.
Tanzania Association of Radiographers. Provide a professional Organisation for radiographers and trained radiographic Auxiliaries in Tanzania.
Tanzania Home Economic Associations. Promote the interest of home economic as a profession.
Tanzania registered nurses association: Raise standards of nursing education and practice.
Tanzania Public Health Association: Bring together persons who are working in trained or interested in public or public health professions.
The Tanzania Professional Teachers Association: Promoting and rotating the teaching profession as well as maintaining high standards of morals, academic and professional ethics.
Tanzania National Scientific Research Council: Accelerate social economy developments of the community through science and technology.
The Architectural Association of Tanzania.

STAKEHOLDERS:
Some of these are:
University of Dar es Salaam,
P.O. Box 35091,
Dar es Salaam.

Muhimbili University College of Health Science,
P.O. Box 65001,
Dar es Salaam.

University College of Land and Architectural Studies,
P.O. Box 35176,
Dar es Salaam.

Sokoine University of Agriculture,
P.O.Box 3000,
Dar es Salaam.

Open University of Tanzania,
P.O. Box 9213,
Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology,
P.O. Box 2958,
Dar es Salaam.


Mbeya Technical College,
P.O. Box 131,
Dar es Salaam.

Others are:
Centre for Agricultural Mechanization and Rural Technology
National Institute of Medical Research
Serengeti Wildlife Research Institute
Tanzania Bureau of Standards
Tanzania Engineering Manufacture and Design Organisation
Tanzania Forestry Research Institute
Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation
Tanzania Industrial Studies and Consulting Organisation
Tropical Pesticides Research Institute.

Legal Framework and Technology Policy Instruments. A higher proved scientific and technical advisory committee on science and technology has been established in order to advise the president in additional to the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee (IMTC) of the cabinet.

A legal framework has been laid down through the (Investment Promotion and Protection) Act of 1990, and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology Act No. 7 of 1986 which spells out the establishment of a National Centre for Development and Transfer of Technology. This centre is charged with powers to establishing rules and regulations for rationalizing the acquisition evaluation, choice coordination and development of technology.

In order to achieve our national goal steadily economic growth, maximum utilization of local resources and technology, expansion of technical education through development of local research units in enterprises and long term comprehensive technological policies that integrated within the overall national development plans have been adopted by the Tanzania government.