University of Dar es Salaam leads national charge to reinvent university leadership

In his statement on June 3, 2025, during a leaders’ induction and reflection workshop held at UDSM, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Mr Xavier Daudi, stressed that intellectuals must apply their knowledge and creativity to solve persistent issues in the education sector.

“Part of the reason we are facing challenges in higher education today, including graduate unemployment and institutional distrust, is the decline in the quality of education,” said Mr Daudi.

“This has led to some institutions in Tanzania failing to recognise qualifications from others, whether during recruitment or admission. That is unacceptable.”

Held under the theme; Driving UDSM Excellence through Strategic and Innovative Leadership, the forum brought together newly appointed leaders of UDSM for an in-depth session on effective governance, decision-making, and innovation in higher education.

Mr Daudi emphasised that universities must not only maintain their reputation as centres of knowledge but also lead by example in producing high-quality professionals.

“This workshop proves that good leadership is not just about authority or position, but about continuous training, strategic thinking, and the ability to implement meaningful change,” he added.

As one of the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in Tanzania, UDSM’s role in shaping the national education landscape remains critical.

Its leadership believes that empowering top management with the right tools is key to preserving the university’s academic excellence and setting a national benchmark.

UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye, urged the new leaders to embrace a collaborative and visionary approach to leadership.

“True leadership is about responsibility and decision-making, not competing with your team. A unit head is not just one of the team members—he or she is the focal point of responsibility for everything that happens in the department,” Prof Anangisye said.

He emphasised that regular training and induction for leaders is vital to institutional success.

“It’s essential that every senior leader understands the principles and procedures of effective governance to ensure the university operates efficiently.”

Prof Anangisye also pointed to UDSM’s long-term strategy, Vision 2061, which sets ambitious goals for academic growth and innovation.

“We must accelerate our efforts through specific actions and measurable results. Let’s collaborate, not compete. Let’s build upon our existing strengths and strive for even greater achievements,” he said.

Speaking to The Citizen, an education policy analyst and former lecturer at UDSM, Dr Esther Lema, praised the initiative.

“For a long time, leadership development in Tanzanian universities has been reactive, not proactive. What UDSM is doing is important and timely—it ensures that those in charge are equipped to navigate both local and global academic challenges.”

Similarly, a retired academic and policy expert, Mr Richard Mwansasu, noted that such forums help to "heal the hill of knowledge" by grounding leadership in shared values and strategic direction.

“Our universities have the potential to transform the nation, but only if those leading them are prepared intellectually and morally,” he said.

With Tanzania’s education system under increasing scrutiny for graduate readiness and institutional credibility, UDSM’s leadership development programme could signal a turning point—not only for the university but for the national education framework.

“UDSM is more than a university. It is a national symbol of academic pursuit and leadership. If we get it right here, we inspire others across the country to follow,” Mr Daudi said.

As UDSM implements its Vision 2061 with renewed leadership, it stands poised to remain not only a historic institution but a transformative force in shaping Tanzania’s education future.