Arusha Regional Commissioner Hon. John Mongela urged the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and the East African Business Council (EABC) to conduct more Academic Public-Private Partnership Forums(PPPF) in other Tanzania regions to offer equal opportunity.

Hon. John Mongela said that on 20th April 2022, at Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha, during the APPPF forum organized by NM-AIST and EABC, a platform to promote close relations between the Public and Private Sector in Academic and industry.

" I congratulate NM-AIST and EABC for organizing this forum today and establishing a partnership to promote dialogue and close cooperation among academia and industries." Said Hon. John Mongela

The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Luoga said that APPP is very important in advocating Innovation and Research for Industrial development. NM-AIST is an ambassador by supporting this movement, particularly during the 5th and 6th Government regimes.

Prof. Luoga added that NM-AIST is a research-based University and technology producer committed to building solid relationships with the Private Sector to mutually share the benefits with the society and eventually attain the sustainable Africa.

Moreover He added that NM-AIST encourages Public-Private Partnership, as stressed in NM-AIST new cooperative strategic plan, which aims to strengthen Academic Public-Private Partnership and outreach programmes to increase awareness of inventions and innovations.

EABC Executive Director Mr. John Kalisa urge students to offer wise solutions and innovations that respond to the community and industry needs.

Mr. Kalisa commends the NM-AIST for partnering with EABC to enhance research and innovation collaboration and boost entrepreneurship in East Africa Community bloc

The NM-AIST Innovation based Incubation Centre conducted a two days feasibility study training on 10th -11th March , 2022 which aims at equipping innovators to conduct feasibility studies focusing on technical, economical, and operational aspects.

The training will help the incubatees to answer the essential questions of whether to proceed with a proposed innovation or not. The feasibility study training covers the following areas;

Technical feasibility training that composes analyzing the technology/capabilities and technical resources such as hardware, software, and network resources. Inventors are equipped with the knowledge to know and understand if their technologies and technical resources could successfully produce or make the required product or service to its specified target market.

Economic feasibility training that enables the incubatees to compare projected costs and projected benefits of their proposed ideas (cost-benefit analysis) to determine whether it makes sense from a business perspective.

The training equips Inventors to be able to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to uncover hidden costs and benefits from their proposed innovation. At this point inventors should be able see if the projected benefit outweighs projected costs.

Operational feasibility training the incubatees are equipped with knowledge on how to analyze and determine whether goals are met on a daily basis operations. It aims at enabling the incubatees to determine if the operation problems are being solved and if opportunities are well exploited.

After the training the incubatees are expected to conduct feasibility study for their innovations. The results from the feasibility study will inform the NM-AIST management to make informed decision on the Capital and operation investments as well as returns from the investment on the innovations .

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Services and Development has commended the management of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology for their efficient performance and innovation thus contributing to the industrial economy. This was stated by the committee on March 14, 2022, in Arusha during an official visit.

"This Institution is very important for our country and the African continent as a whole so it is our responsibility to make sure we look at it with a unique eye fulfill the purpose of its establishment" said the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Services and Development Hon. Stanslaus Nyongo.

He advised the management of the institution to look at how to set up small programs in the field of science to increase revenue without affecting the status of the Institution in order to enroll more students.

"You can look on how to set up small programs such as short course training to increase income without affecting the status of being an international college" said Hon. Stanslau Nyongo.

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Adolf Mkenda has appealed to the management to look on how to pay tribute to the founders who contributed to the establishment of the institution including the Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania Hon. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and the first Vice Chancellor Prof. Burton Mwamwila.

For his part, the Chairman of the Council of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology Prof. Joseph Buchweishaija, explained that the Institution is at the forefront of ensuring that it manages and implements its slogan which is Academia for Society and Industry by conducting research that solves the challenges facing society and emerges with various innovations.

In addition Prof. Buchweishaija plead with the Tanzania Loan Board to look into ways to sponsor more students who are interested in furthering their studies in the field of Science at the Postgraduate level so that to increase the number of enrolled students at the Institution.

During the visit the committee was able to receive the implementation report from the Vice Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Luoga and visited development projects including the Construction of Student Hostels, Incubation Centre and Mini Factory.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Research and Innovation Prof. Antony Mshandete officiated the opening of the conference tohonor the International Women's Day in Science held at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in collaboration with the US Embassy and RAPOA..

The conference aims to celebrate and appreciate women in science and build capacity for the next generation of women in Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM).

The theme of this year is inspiring women to engage in science and technology.

Among other activities during the conference was the symposium, which focused on empowering the next generation of women in STEM.

The event took place at NM-AIST because of intense collaboration with strategic partners to spread the contribution of Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) to social, economic transformation and inclusive, sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond .