The School of Engineering Sciences and Technology started as the Department of Engineering Sciences and Technology (DEST) in 1984 as a new Sokoine University of Agriculture academic unit in the College of Agriculture.

The goal of the then department is to provide the necessary technology, analytical, and managerial skills in the design, construction, operation, management, and maintenance of farm structures, irrigation and water supply systems; design and construction of simple renewable energy sources; and planning, design, and management of agricultural mechanization programmes.

Now, the school offers knowledge for planning and management of integrated land resources; and bioprocess and post-harvest technologies.