MWE Correspondent
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has called on Tanzanians living abroad to support the recently launched Samia Extended Scholarship Programme (DS/SI+).
Speaking during a high-level virtual dialogue, Minister Prof. Adolf Mkenda emphasized that Tanzania is investing in a generation of homegrown innovators equipped with global competencies in cutting-edge sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Computational Science.
“Our mission is clear: to position Tanzania as a leader in technological innovation and digital transformation. This cannot be achieved without harnessing the expertise of our diaspora,” said Prof. Mkenda.
The call to action was directed to Tanzanian professionals and academics across the globe, many of whom are already working in major institutions such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The aim is to include them in training delivery, mentorship, curriculum development, and shaping the programme’s global outlook.
The DS/SI+ programme, championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is aligned with Tanzania’s broader development vision under the National Five-Year Development Plan and Vision 2050 frameworks.
At the center of the initiative is the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, where selected scholars will undergo intensive training. The top 700 science graduates from across Tanzania will be enrolled in a ten-month bootcamp focused on technology-driven research and innovation.
Out of these, 50 outstanding students will receive scholarships to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at elite global institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Oxford, IIT Madras, and Peking University. The remaining 650 will continue their studies locally under full government sponsorship, benefiting from remote mentorship by Tanzanian experts abroad.
The initiative takes cues from successful diaspora engagement models in countries like India, South Korea, and China—all of which have used their expatriate communities to catalyze science and technology development at home.
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During the meeting, Prof. Carolyne Nombo, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, and Prof. Makenya Maboko, Chairperson of the programme’s implementation team, outlined the opportunities and expectations for diaspora involvement. The tone was one of urgency and optimism.
Participants included prominent Tanzanian scientists and tech professionals from Silicon Valley, Europe, and Asia. Many expressed enthusiasm to contribute through online lectures, internship placements, research collaborations, and short-term visits to Tanzania.
“This programme is exactly what we need to close the digital divide in Africa,” said Dr. Halima Ndege, a Tanzanian AI researcher based in Germany. “Our global networks can bring a powerful advantage to students back home.”
The DS/SI+ programme is seen as a strategic step in preparing Tanzania’s youth to thrive in a world increasingly driven by cloud computing, big data, robotics, and blockchain.
It also reflects President Samia’s broader commitment to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and creating jobs that match the demands of the 21st-century digital economy..
