Former Vice President and former Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, has urged the institution to shine even more in terms of research and innovation for the development of the country and Africa in general.
Dr. Bilal said this on August 30, 2023, during the inauguration ceremony of the Chancellor, Mr. Omari Issa, which coincides with the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Maulilio Kipanyula.
"I am eager to see this institution take more steps, and I know my colleague, Mr. Omari Issa, will put this institution in the highest space," said Dr. Bilal.
He added that the Nelson Mandela Institution is strong and unique in the country, so he wishes to see it rise higher in research, innovation, and technology while congratulating the employees of the institution for ensuring that the name of NM-AIST rises higher.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary (Science), Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and Professor James Mdoe have explained that the ministry has great expectations through the new leadership, including increasing the contribution of science and technology in shaping the development of the country.
"You have heard that Chancellor Omari wants to increase the number of women in the institution here to get more academics in various fields," said Deputy Permanent Secretary Prof. James Mdoe.
Professor Mdoe explains that through the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project, the Ministry, through other universities, hopes to start a special course to help women who do not achieve success get success and allow them to join universities to increase the motivation for women and girls to join science and technology institutions.
On his part, the Chancellor, Mr. Omari Issa, explains that the leadership of Dr. Bilal has been successful in various things, including the increase in student enrollment from 80 students when the college started to 1,468 students, the construction of a dormitory that is under construction that can accommodate more than 500 students, and special rooms for nursing and pregnant women students.
"I would like to emphasize that the admission of female students must be increased because women are more capable in all kinds of fields, so during my leadership, the admission of women should be considered". Mr. Omar Issa.
The ceremony of the inauguration of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor was attended by various leaders, including the Representative of the Regional Commissioner of Arusha, who is the Regional Vocational Education Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Mahundo; the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Science) of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Professor James Mdoe; and the Deputy Chairperson of the Council and Vice Chancellor of Dodoma University, Professor Lughano Kusiluka.