By Senior Reporter VALENTINE OFORO
The Institute has been organizing the convocations for 16 consecutive years now, whereby in this year’s convocation, at least 173 students have been honored for excelling in various academic categories
Prof Joseph Kuzilwa, the Chairperson of the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) Government Council has challenged the students who are graduating from the varsity this year to embrace moral values, a sense of accountability, unity and resilience in order to pay meaningful contributions into the country’s work force.
In his remarks to grace the institute’s 17th convocation, held at the IRDP Main Campus, mapped at the fringe of Dodoma Capital City in Miyuji area, the Don urged the graduates to go forth into the world as change- makers, and keep striving for a better tomorrow.
“Tanzania, and the world in large needs collective efforts to address pressing issues and managing changes, hence, speedy technological changes and uplifting marganalised voices are inevitable in realizing sustainable development,”
He acknowledged the support from the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan towards the college, together with other development partners, saying the assistance are playing key role to enable the IRDP to promote programs that uplift the country’s rural communities and the nation as a whole.
Speaking on his side, the IRDP’s Rector, Prof Hozen Mayaya said the institute has managed to attain an unbeatable milestones since its inception in 1979, added that the varsity is set to celebrate its 46th anniversary in February, next year.
Dwelling on some of the achievements, he informed that the state- owned institute has made a significant stride in conducting useful academic research and publications, unveiled that the publications are now listed on reputable publication platform such as Africa Journals Online (AJOL), the development which he observed helps to enhance it visibility and academic on the international arena.
“From the modest begin with 14 staff and 13 students in 1979, we have grown into an institution with over 400 staff member and more than 14, 500 students,” he expressed.
He said the college has deeply committed to the professional development of it staff, saying currently a total 76 staff members are pursuing various programs, including 45 (PhD), 23 (Master Degree), 6 (Bachelor Degrees) and two are taking Ordinary Diploma program.
“We have also continuing developing our academic programs, targeting to meet envolving demand in the country’s job market, as a result, today we’re rolling out at least 37 long term programs,” he said .
He detailed that the varsity has also worked to increase number of short course programs, from nine to current 20, the move which goes in hand with an increase in number of participants as well as revenue collections rising from 217,493,000/- to 315,950,000/- which is an increase of 45.3 percent.
Apart from the ongoing efforts to expand the institute’s accomodation structures, he said they’re also working to construct ultra -modern academic blocks, including the information technology (IT), to further enrich the learning and working environment for both, students and staff.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for the invaluable assistance we keep on receiving from the ministry of finance which has enable our institution to undertake numerous development projects,” the Don appreciated.
He added, the institute has been organizing convocations for 16 consecutive years now, whereby in this year’s convocation, at least 173 students have been honored for excelling in various academic categories.
” The students incorporate 97 males and 76 females who have excelled in both, academic and extracurricular activities,” he added.
The event was held, according to him, among others to pave a way for the Institute’s 38th graduation which take shape this afternoon , Friday 22nd, at the Mwalimu Nyerere Hall, main campus, and next weekend the similar graduation will take place at it Mwanza- based campus at Kitumba grounds in the lake zone.
About The Author
