Speaking at the event, former Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Mizengo Pinda, who was the original owner of the land and property, said there were many goals for the use of the buildings, including a primary school or a health college, but establishment of Agricultural College is the best choice because most of the population in the region is engaged in agriculture, fishing and livestock farming.
 

Hon. Pinda indicated that the presence of the Sokoine University of Agriculture in the area will result in a significant increase in various development opportunities for citizens and residents of the area and the region as a whole.  He asked SUA to ensure that one of its priorities is to provide education to the residents of neighboring villages on how to overcome poverty and other entrepreneurship education.
 

Another speaker was Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Joyce Ndalichako who commended Sokoine University of Agriculture for being quick to accept the request of establishing the Campus and act promptly, she also directed the management to make all necessary follow up to obtain accreditation from the Tanzania University Commission for Universities (TCU) in order to be allowed to enroll students in the 2020-2021 academic year.

Hon. Ndalichako also insisted that the presence of this campus will bring opportunity for Tanzanian youth to invest in forestry, livestock and agriculture; she urged Katavi citizens and entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity, and make sure no one is left behind.

On the other side, the Chancellor of the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Judge (retired)  Joseph Sinde Warioba, indicated that the establishment of  Mizengo Pinda Campus will help farmers in the southern highlands region to improve their Agriculture and farming practices.

In his part, the Sokoine University of Agriculture Vice Chancellor, Prof. Raphael Chibunda started by giving a brief history of the University and how he received a call from Katavi Regional Commissioner, Hon. Juma Homera that Retired Prime Minister Hon. Mizengo Pinda is looking for him and when they met he explained his intention with the District and Regional leadership to dedicate the buildings to SUA. He said that the university council approved the establishment of this new training campus in Katavi Region for the purpose of providing undergraduate training and research activities and they have also made some changes in the university budget in order to help the university in allocation of more resources in the campus.

Prof. Chibunda added that the new campus will serve as a practical training center for SUA students studying a variety of fields including wildlife management and tourism management, Agriculture, Livestock, Environment and Science Teachers.

Commenting on the name of the Campus, the Chairman of the University council, Retired Chief Justice Mohamed Othman Chande explained that the process of choosing the name was done by management and finally he endorsed on behalf of the council the name “Mizengo Pinda Campus” in honor and admiration of the effort, patriotism and big heart of love displayed by Hon. Mizengo Pinda towards the establishment of the Campus. 

The Mizengo Pinda Campus is located in Kibaoni Village, Mlele district in Katavi Region and it contains a total of 68 acres.

Story Credits: Josephine Malango & Calvin Gwabara, SUAMEDIA

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