Experts: India’s technical college in Zanzibar an opportunity for Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. Experts yesterday said the establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras’ (IITM) campus in Zanzibar was a great opportunity to support the country’s goal of reaping big benefits from the digital transformation.

The governments of India and Zanzibar signed an agreement to establish the IITM, with President Hussein Ali Mwinyi pledging Sh6.3 billion to support the initial establishment of the world’s most prestigious technological school.

The new development follows the four-day visit to Tanzania of India’s minister of external affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, that highlighted historical connections and strengthened technological support and business partnerships.

Reports show that India has witnessed exponential growth in the spectrum of technology and application, standing third among the most lucrative beneficiaries of technological transactions in the world.

“It’s a great honour for Zanzibar to host this prestigious institution in the world; it will stimulate Zanzibar’s fourth industrial revolution through the creation of skilled experts in data science and artificial intelligence,” Dr Mwinyi said in his brief post-signing speech.

Dr Munishi Assenga, an expert in technology issues from the National Institute of Transport (NIT), said the campus would be an opportunity for all Tanzanians.

“Through this college, Tanzania’s mainland and Zanzibar will become technology hubs.. I think this is the government’s ambition as it embraces the industrial revolution,” he noted. Ms Dorothy Mmari, a former ICT lecturer at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), believes that increasing investment in the area of technology is what will drive Tanzania towards an industrial revolution.

“Tanzania’s cooperation with India, which specialises in technology issues, is a good direction. Through this college, I believe Tanzania will get more professionals in the field of technology,” she said.

The Indian minister visited the Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the DIT in his efforts to seek technological cooperation between the two countries.

The Education, Science and Technology minister, Prof Adolf Mkenda, said India had recently donated supercomputers to DIT in the country’s efforts to bolster Tanzania’s technological capacity.

Dr Jaishankar arrived on Tuesday in Zanzibar for two days that were extended to the Tanzanian business city of Dar es Salaam, where he co-chaired the tenth India-Tanzania Joint Commission meeting.

During the visit, he also addressed members of the parliamentary friendship group for India and inaugurated the India-Tanzania business meeting before addressing the Indian diaspora.

Minister Jaishankar’s visit further consolidates bilateral ties between Tanzania and India, which have traditionally enjoyed close and cordial relations, according to Dr Assenga.