Universities in Tanzania are being urged to rethink their approach to research to make it more relevant and accessible to society. Experts at the Aga Khan University's Author's Day 2026 in Dar es Salaam emphasized the need for universities to involve policymakers from the start, prioritize practical impact over academic recognition, and make findings accessible to the public through various media channels. This call to action aims to address the longstanding gap between research production and its application in Tanzania.
The current state of research in Tanzania is characterized by a disconnect between the findings and their practical application. Valuable research often remains confined to academic journals, libraries, and institutional databases, with limited visibility among policymakers, industries, and the communities they are intended to serve. Assistant Professor and Head of Research at the Aga Khan University, Dr. Mariam Noorani, advocates for a quadruple helix model that brings together academia, government, communities, and industry to ensure research responds to actual development needs.
Dr. Noorani argues that the traditional model of research, where researchers decide their area of interest and publish their findings without considering the practical implications, needs to change. She emphasizes that research priorities should be informed by the problems communities want solved, rather than being driven mainly by individual academic interests or the desire to produce publications. This approach would enable universities to contribute more effectively to the country's development goals, as outlined in Vision 2050.
The promotion systems in universities also need to be revised to reward researchers for the impact of their work on society, rather than just the number of papers they publish. Dr. Noorani challenges universities to move away from the "publish or perish" culture and focus on making a positive difference in society. This shift in approach would require significant changes in how research is conducted, funded, communicated, and measured.
Professor Emeritus of Paediatrics at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. Karim Manji, stresses the importance of involving decision-makers from the beginning of research projects. He explains that early engagement allows researchers and government institutions to identify priority challenges together, build ownership of the findings, and improve the chances of recommendations being adopted. However, he warns that research findings can fail to influence society if universities do not plan and budget for communicating them.
Making research findings visible and accessible is another major recommendation. Associate Professor at AKU's School of Nursing and Midwifery, Prof. Tumbwene Mwansisya, suggests that universities need to move beyond relying on academic journals and conventional repositories. He advocates for publishing findings through accessible digital repositories, websites, mainstream media, social media, radio, and podcasts. This would enable the public to understand and use the knowledge generated.
The experts also call for stronger domestic research funding mechanisms to reduce excessive dependence on donor priorities and funding conditions. They argue that universities and the government need to develop sustainable local financing arrangements that allow Tanzania to determine its own research priorities, invest in long-term studies, and ensure findings are translated into solutions. By adopting these recommendations, Tanzanian universities can enhance the relevance and impact of their research, ultimately contributing to the country's development goals.
Key points
- Universities in Tanzania should involve policymakers from the start and prioritize practical impact over academic recognition.
- Research findings should be made accessible to the public through various media channels.
- Domestic research funding mechanisms need to be strengthened to reduce dependence on donor priorities.
