Ardhi University (ARU) in partnership with Hasselt University (UHasselt) under the generous financing of Belgium Government through the Flemish Interuniversity Council-University Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS) has officially launched a project on establishing a new center “The African Center for Sustainable Cities Studies” at Ardhi University on 2nd March 2023.
The Project was jointly launched by Hon. Minister of the Ministry Education Science and Technology (MoEST) who was represented by Dr. Kenneth Hosea (Director of Higher Education in MoEST) and H.E. Peter Huyhebert, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.
In his inauguration speech, Dr. Hosea said that the Ministry has the responsibility and mandate to promote the application of Science, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Innovation and to facilitate research in science and technology and capacity building of the workforce of Tanzania through training at different education levels and thus this Institutional University Cooperation Programme aims at building capacity of Tanzanians in the fields of importance for the National development. He further emphasized that the capacity to be built through this Project will enable ARU to produce research results and develop innovative tools to foster inclusive and sustainable development in the country’s urban areas thus contributing to the efforts of the Ministry and the Government at large in using Science, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Innovation to support sustainable national development.
”…I am optimistic that the Project will contribute to the Sixth Government’s efforts of alleviating poverty and inequality among the Tanzania populace and it will enable ARU to contribute effectively in realizing the National Five Years Development Plan III (2021/2022 – 2025/2026) and Vision 2025...” said Dr. Hosea.
In March 2021, Ardhi University was selected to receive funding from the VLIR – UOS to support a research, training and community outreach project titled ‘Establishing a new centre, “the African Centre for Sustainable Cities Studies” to build capacity in education, research, innovation and societal outreach in order to foster an inclusive and sustainable built environment in a rapidly urbanizing city, Dar es Salaam (SDG 11 in Dar es Salaam)’. This is a ten years Institutional University Cooperation Project that involves Ardhi University in Tanzania and Hasselt University in Belgium as the lead Universities. The two lead Universities work in collaboration with seven partner institutions in Belgium and four partner institutions in Tanzania through an integrated strategy that includes Research, Education and training and Societal outreach activities.
The Project inauguration event was also attended by Prof. Evaristo Liwa, Vice-Chancellor of Ardhi University, Prof. John Lupala (Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academics, Research and Consultancy), and Prof. Ally Namangaya (Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Planning, Finance, and Administration), Prof. Rob Cuyvers (Flemish Project Coordinator), Prof. Gabriel Kassenga Local coordinator- Ardhi University Cooperation Project, Mrs. Geraldine Mabbe ( VLIR OUS Global Partnership Manager), Project team members from Flemish Partner Institutions and Tanzania Partner Institutions, Ardhi University Staff as well as Representatives from Different Private Institutions.
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