The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and the Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre (EASTC) have formed a partnership to develop practical solutions to problems affecting communities in Tanzania. The partnership aims to apply science, technology, and data to address public challenges, including urban planning, water losses, and power outages, while supporting the monitoring of Tanzania's Development Vision 2050. This collaboration seeks to combine expertise in science, technology, and innovation with statistical knowledge to ensure research findings address real-world challenges.
The partnership will focus on areas such as urban planning, where rapid expansion of towns and cities has outpaced the capacity of some authorities to plan settlements using reliable data. NM-AIST Vice-Chancellor Professor Maulilio Kipanyula noted that combining reliable statistics with technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) could improve urban planning and help authorities provide social services according to the actual needs of residents. This data-driven approach will enable authorities to make better decisions on settlement patterns and the allocation of essential services as urban populations grow.
In the water sector, NM-AIST has developed technology to help identify areas where water is being lost within distribution systems. This technology, supported by accurate data, can help water authorities detect problem areas, reduce losses, and increase the amount of water reaching consumers. The institution is also working to validate technology that can identify locations experiencing power outages within the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) grid, allowing engineers to identify faults remotely through a computer system.
The partnership will also contribute to the implementation of Tanzania's Development Vision 2050, particularly in research, science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The two institutions plan to collaborate in areas including data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and machine learning, which are important fields for developing solutions to societal challenges. This collaboration will strengthen evidence-based decision-making and help the country establish systems for measuring progress at different stages of development.
EASTC Principal Professor Tumaini Katanzi emphasized that reliable data is essential for tracking progress, assessing outcomes, and identifying areas that need improvement in the implementation of Development Vision 2050. He noted that statistics are equally important at the initial stages of research, as researchers need to establish the scale, nature, and location of a problem before developing an appropriate solution. Combining the institutions' expertise will strengthen research and innovation while generating practical solutions to challenges facing Tanzanians.
The partnership between NM-AIST and EASTC brings together experts in science, technology, innovation, and statistics to develop solutions based on evidence and the actual needs of communities. By working together, the institutions aim to generate practical solutions to challenges facing Tanzanians and support the country's long-term development ambitions. This collaboration is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of Tanzanians, particularly in the areas of urban planning, water management, and energy distribution.
The partnership is a significant step towards achieving Tanzania's Development Vision 2050, which emphasizes the importance of science, technology, and innovation in driving the country's development. By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, the partnership is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the country's development agenda. The collaboration will also provide a platform for researchers to develop and test innovative solutions to real-world challenges, ultimately improving the lives of Tanzanians.
Key points
- NM-AIST and EASTC partner to apply science, technology, and data to address public challenges in Tanzania.
- The partnership aims to support the implementation of Tanzania's Development Vision 2050.
- The collaboration will focus on areas such as urban planning, water losses, and power outages.
