The official guest at the event was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic, Research and Consultancy) Prof. Maulid Mwatawala who gave a wonderful speech to welcome the students to the Sokoine University of Agriculture to pursue their Postgraduate Diploma, Master, and PhD studies.

In his speech, Professor Mwatawala explained how university management has created a conducive and friendly environment that enables all students to live and study well without many challenges.

The University Management has reduced the Fees by 30% for East African students to enable more international students to access education at a lower cost similar to Tanzanians and to get more scholars who will help the country and Africa as a whole - said Prof. Mwatawala

The move comes in the wake of the fact that the biggest challenge that students face most is tuition fees but the university has been friendly on this by setting up a system for students to pay fees in four installments thus enabling a person to pay a small amount until completion before exam registration.

Professor Maulid Mwatawala

Prof. Mwatawala concluded his speech by congratulating all the students for getting a chance to study at the Sokoine University of Agriculture and that they have made the right choice to choose the best university in Tanzania which is number 1 by conducting research that helps people, especially in the area of agriculture, livestock, forestry, and environment.

He advised and urged all students to follow the university rules and guidelines so that they can finish their studies on time and go back to help the communities they come from.

Earlier speaking, the Director of the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer and Consultancy, Prof. Esron Karimuribo said this year they have registered a total of 281 students whereby last year they registered 242 students and in 2016 they registered 176 students. Indeed, this is a huge achievement within the past five years.

Prof. Karimuribo thanked the university management as well as the various research projects hosted at SUA and outside such as REFOREST, SACIDS, RSIF – PASET,  and others for funding higher education for many students especially from outside Tanzania and thus contributing to increasing the number of students enrolled at SUA where the university now has a total of 892 postgraduate students.

Professor Esron Karimuribo

Others who had the opportunity to speak and give various instructions and advice to students were the principals, deans, and directors of Colleges, Schools, Directorates, and SUA Hospital who touched on various topics that in one way or another will help students achieve their goals.

Research and Publications Coordinator, Professor Japhet kashaigili giving a word of thanks to the official guest

Postgraduate Studies Coordinator, Dr. Akwilina Mwanri explained on guidelines and policies of the university

The Principal of the College of Agriculture (CoA), Professor Benard Chove conveyed College greetings

The Principal of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS), Dr. Geofrey Karugila conveyed College greetings

The event was organized by the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer and Consultancy (DPRTC) and was attended by all first year Master, Postgraduate Diploma, and  PhD students as well as ongoing postgraduate students who were around the campus.

Story and Photo: Amina Hezron & Calvin Gwabara - SUAMEDIA