The Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has initiated the implementation of an order by the Vice President to empower youth with skills and work experience. This move aims to connect students and graduates of the university with leading companies and institutions. The goal is to provide students and graduates with the opportunity to learn from real-world work environments, including production, business operations, and other activities related to job market demands.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Maulid Mwatawala, made this announcement during a meeting with leaders of companies graduated from SUA. The meeting, organized by the university's Internationalization and Linkages Unit, aimed to discuss potential collaborations between SUA and its graduates who own companies. Specifically, the meeting focused on how to provide students and graduates with skills aligned with real-world work environments and job market demands.
According to Prof. Mwatawala, this initiative is part of the implementation of the Vice President's directives, emphasizing the importance of 10,000 youth acquiring skills and work experience annually. The Vice President's directives were issued through the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), which oversees SUA. The commission requires the university to ensure that youth acquire practical skills through internships and work experience.
SUA has decided to take proactive measures to implement this directive through a platform that brings together leaders of companies graduated from the university. This platform aims to discuss opportunities for the university's development and how to connect students with real-world work environments. Prof. Mwatawala urged company leaders to use their positions to empower SUA students to gain practical experience through projects and activities in their institutions and companies.
The leaders of companies graduated from SUA had previously conducted a tour of the university's facilities and projects. The tour aimed to provide them with an understanding of the university's activities and identify areas for collaboration. During the tour, they learned about the implementation of the APOPO project and visited the site where SUA is constructing a production plant for various products, including water and juice.
The leaders also visited buildings constructed under the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project. Nsolo Mlozi, Head of the Agricultural Business Department at NMB Bank Headquarters and a SUA graduate, stated that the bank has allocated Sh20 billion to develop youth and special group projects. Mlozi emphasized that empowering these projects is crucial for national economic growth while providing graduates with experience in production and business operations.
The initiative by SUA aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, increasing the chances of youth securing employment or self-employment. By collaborating with company leaders, SUA seeks to provide students and graduates with opportunities to gain valuable work experience and skills aligned with job market demands.
Key points
- SUA starts implementing order to empower 10,000 youth with skills and work experience annually
- University collaborates with company leaders to provide students with real-world work experience
- NMB Bank allocates Sh20 billion to develop youth and special group projects
