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Academics

  1. Overview
  2. Programmes
  3. Programme Duration
  4. Degree Modalities
  5. Credits Structure
  6. Teaching Facilities

Overview

Tanzania's current national focus is to speed up socio-economic development. The scientific and technological transformation of the agricultural and industrial sectors is mentioned by several development policies and strategies as a 'must' for this mission to be realized. For instance, the National Development Vision 2025 envisages a link between economic productivity, and competitiveness and advanced technologies.

This link is expressly or impliedly stated in so many other national documents including the National Economic Empowerment Policy of 2004; Sustainable Industries Development Policy for 1996-2020; Agricultural Marketing Policy of 2008; Rural Development Strategy of 2001; Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Policy of 2002; National Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy of 2009; National Higher Education Policy of 1999; Community Development Policy of 1996; and of course, National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty II (NSGRP II) of 2010.

The focus of NM-AIST, among other things, corresponds with the National Higher Education Policy of 1999, which among other things, calls for design of programmes that are geared towards responding to the changing world of science and technology, and responding to ever-changing needs of the people, their government, industry, commerce and surrounding environment in general. Such needs are directly captured by NM- AIST's programmatic focus which basically, emphasizes linkage to society and industry, and scientific and technological response to local needs and problems.

The NM-AIST training curricula therefore incorporate strong innovation and entrepreneurship modules, and strong academia-industry relations are part of this institution's development agenda. The institution's curricula also seeks to accommodate, enable, stimulate, catalyze and harness the innovativeness and entrepreneurial qualities (as stipulated in the 2002 SME Policy stated above) inherent in the young generation for the sustainable development of Tanzania and Sub- Saharan Africa

Programmes

The full list of courses offered at the NM-AIST can be found in the following link View courses


Distinguishing Features of NM-AIST Academic Programmes

In the quest for attaining high quality and internationally competitive delivery of teaching and learning in science, engineering and technology, NM-AIST is striving to ensure the following, among other things:

  • Development of adequate and well-functioning world class teaching and learning physical infrastructure and facilities.
  • Production of top notch SET academics, researchers, techno-preneurs, industry captains and innovation managers

The NM-AIST is uniquely focused on postgraduate training and research, and its curricula are, therefore, designed in such a way as to enable the following:-

  • Generation and transformation of knowledge into tangible products, industrial and business solutions, and policy briefs for sustainable development.
  • Promotion of the application of science, engineering, technology and innovation to generate wealth.
  • Promotion of value-addition to natural resources thereby facilitating harnessing of the resources of nature for the benefit of the people and national socio-economic development.
  • Production of high calibre SETI academics and researchers for the growing number of universities and R&D institutions in the country and region.
  • Production of scientists and engineers who will spearhead industrial development through innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • Grooming and nurturing of research and technological spin-offs, thereby catalyzing the growth of the local industry and the private sector.

This way, NM-AIST is a total departure from the common academic tendency of most of the other Tanzanian and Eastern African higher learning institutions. Attainment of all the above unique features will certainly make NM-AIST world- class and a centre of excellence, and thereby make Tanzania and EA proud of its existence.

Programme Duration

The basic accounting period for teaching and learning at NM-AIST is the academic year. The academic year is divided into two semesters each comprising 18 weeks with 15 weeks of teaching, one week of study break and 2 weeks of examinations. There is a 3 weeks’ vacation between semesters. The duration of Master’s and PhD studies at NM-AIST is as follows:


Master‘s and PhD Programmes by Coursework and Dissertation/Project

Master’s Degree Programmes

The duration of a Master’s Degree Programme shall be 4 semesters. Students may be allowed to extend studies to a maximum of 6 semesters, provided that there are compelling reasons and proof of meeting the corresponding costs

A Master’s Programme for shall consist of coursework in the first two semesters while the third and fourth semesters shall be wholly devoted to research and dissertation work. Student under Coursework and project will undertake coursework in the first three semesters and devote the fourth semester in project.

The NM-AIST training curricula therefore incorporate strong innovation and entrepreneurship modules, and strong academia-industry relations are part of this institution's development agenda. The institution's curricula also seeks to accommodate, enable, stimulate, catalyze and harness the innovativeness and entrepreneurial qualities (as stipulated in the 2002 SME Policy stated above) inherent in the young generation for the sustainable development of Tanzania and Sub- Saharan Africa

PhD Degree Programmes

A PhD student can graduate after 6 semesters upon fulfilling all the requirements. Students may be allowed to extend studies to a maximum of 10 semesters provided that there are compelling reasons and proof of meeting the corresponding costs.

A PhD programme shall consist of coursework in the first two semesters while the third to sixth semesters shall be wholly devoted to dissertation work.


Master’s and PhD Programmes by Research and Theses

The basic accounting period for teaching and learning at NM-AIST is the academic year. Students under this mode have no specified period of registration. The duration of Master’s and PhD studies is as follows:

Master’s Degree Programmes

The duration of the Master’s Programme by research and thesis shall be 24 months including 6 months for development of a research proposal. Candidates that may not be able to complete the programme within the prescribed period may request for an extension from Senate. Extensions will be granted for up to 12 months provided there are compelling reasons and proof of meeting the corresponding costs.

PhD Degree Programmes

The duration of the PhD programmes by research and thesis shall be three years including the six months of developing a research proposal. Candidates may be allowed to extend studies to a maximum of 5 years upon approval by Senate of the request endorsed by School/Department provided that there are compelling reasons and proof of meeting the corresponding costs.

Degree Modalities

Having satisfied the admission and other requirements for joining NM-AIST to pursue Master or PhD studies, students will be registered either for coursework and dissertation, coursework and project or research and thesis programmes.

In the coursework and dissertation modality, students in both Master’s and PhD programmes undertake coursework and present their research proposals towards the end of the coursework period. The students should also produce 1 publication (for Master’s) and 2 publications (for PhD) in international, peer-reviewed journals, along with a dissertation, before graduation.

The coursework and project mode is only for certain Master’s programmes. Students in these programmes undertake several semesters of coursework before completing a project for which they should produce a final report in order to graduate.

In the research and thesis mode, students start preparing their research proposals immediately after enrollment. They are required to produce 2 publications (for Master’s) and 3 publications (for PhD), one of which should be a review paper, in addition to the thesis.

All students are required to attend and participate in a series of graduate seminars that will be organized by respective departments to provide them with an inter- and multi-disciplinary perspective in their areas of study. Seminar presentations may be given by visiting faculty, resident faculty, industrialists, and distinguished members of the international scientific community.

As part of the degree requirements, Master’s and PhD students at NM-AIST must attain the number of credits from graduate seminars prescribed in the respective programme before graduation.

Credits Structure


Course

A course is construed as a compilation of course materials that enable acquisition of independent and self-contained competences within a particular duration. A course may constitute one or several modules.

Course Categories

All programmes comprise of core and elective courses. Core courses are those that a student must study in order to complete the degree programme while elective courses are those that students select from a list of recommended courses, which may include courses from other degree programmes.
Core courses fall under three sub-categories:

  • Common core courses offered to all students across the institution
  • Programme core courses offered to students registered in a particular programme, which equip the students with respective know-how and advanced knowledge;
  • Specialty core courses offered to students in the area of their specialization within the programme, which provides deeper understanding and mastery of the specializations; and
  • Elective courses provide students with broader, more extensive and in-depth knowledge of theory and respective know-how.

Credits

The weight of a course is defined in terms of credits, which are based on the time required to complete a course. For the purpose of course weighting, a credit is defined as 10 lecture, practical, research, independent studies, seminar, tutorials or assignment hours. All students will be required to make presentations in graduate seminars organized by their respective departments/schools. Such presentations shall be assessed and credited.

Master’s Programmes by Coursework and Dissertation/Project

A student enrolled in a Master’s Degree Programme by coursework and dissertation at NM-AIST will be required to earn at least 180 credits made up of core (common, programme and specialty core), and elective courses, graduate seminars as well as research work. With the approval of the respective department, candidates may take more courses to enhance their research performance. The minimum indicative credits in the various Master’s degree programmes by coursework and dissertation

Master’s Degree Programmes by Research and Thesis

A student pursuing a Master’s degree programme by research and thesis shall be required to earn at least 180 credits made up of common core courses, graduate seminars as well as research work. With the approval of the respective department, students may take additional courses to enhance their research performance.

PhD Degree Programmes by Coursework and Dissertation

A student pursuing a PhD degree programme by coursework and dissertation shall be required to earn at least 540 credits before graduation. The student is required to flexibly take coursework to earn at least 160 credits during the first two semesters alongside developing the research proposal. The coursework comprises of an appropriate combination of common, programme and specialty core as well as graduate seminars and elective courses depending on the interest of the student and supervisor’s recommendations. The rest of the time shall be devoted to research work and graduate seminars. With the approval of the respective department, students may take additional courses on offer to enhance their research performance.

PhD Degree Programmes by Research and Thesis

A student pursuing a PhD programme by research and thesis shall be required to earn at least 540 credits made up of common core courses, graduate seminars as well as research work. With the approval of the respective department, students may take additional courses to enhance their research performance.

Credit Transfer

A student is permitted to transfer to the NM-AIST, credits equivalent of not more than 50% of all the credits for Master or PhD programme of the respective University Qualification Framework (UQF) level coursework taken at another recognized academic institution or NM-AIST.

Teaching Facilities


Classroom Facilities

NM-AIST has modern and well equipped lecture rooms and a conference hall. The conference hall seats 160 people and is equipped with an overhead projector, a computer, a podium, movable tables and chairs and inverters to provide clean and backup power.














The smallest lecture rooms can accommodate 48 students each while the larger ones can accommodate 60 students each. All rooms have, overhead projectors, white screen boards, smart boards, a flip chart stand, podium and movable tables and chairs.












There are also four video conferencing rooms at the NM-AIST, each with a capacity of accommodating 24 students at a time. Each room is equipped with an overhead projector and computer, white screen board, smart board and complete video conferencing systems.













Information and Communications Technology

The entire NM-AIST campus has free Internet service available 24/7, both fixed and wireless. The ICT resource centre also offers support services to students including computer repairs, support in using E-Systems and providing advisory services.


Laboratories

The NM-AIST Laboratory Services provides students with total practical skills from their theoretical background base in a conducive scientific and engineering environment. Students and Researchers are attached with a highly qualified with enough experiences laboratory experts. According to the laboratory management policy, laboratory is headed by Laboratory Manger, assisted with Scientists of various professional disciplines in functional units.













Library

NM-AIST has a modern library with electronic resources and print materials. The major focus is to develop a library with 80% of reading resources in electronic form and 20% as print. (http://libraryservices.nm-aist.ac.tz/)












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