Tilieni mkazo hayo maadishi mekundu
MUHAS comes of age
2009-01-05 11:22:59
By Correspondent
Recently the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) staged its second graduation ceremony since it was declared a full fledged University from its former status of a Constituent University of the then main Dar es Salaam University in 2006.
MUHAS which started way back in 1963 as a Faculty of Medicine of the defunct University of East Africa with an enrolment capacity of just 10 students all studying same medicine specialty has come of age by knocking 40 years with an increased enrolment to about 700 students studying 71 different health and allied sciences specialties a Correspondent report looks at MUHASs proud 40 years
``We might not have achieved something big and special as an academic institution at local, regional and international levels by having been able to raise Muhimbili University from a mere Faculty of Medicine of the then University of East Africa (UNEA) to a full fledged Health and Allied Sciences University in 2006 at same time scaling up students enrolment from 10 students in 1963 to about 700 last academic year.
But given the circumstances and environment we were shaped in and go on operating, this progress we can, with confidence make us proud hence able to walk majestically as an academic institution with confident feelings MUHAS has served the purpose of its establishment and has given the nation what it deserves``, observed Professor Kisali Palangyo, when giving his speech during the second graduation which was attended by president Jakaya Kikwete.
Professor Palangyo, a MUHAS Vice-Chancellor told the gathering of thousands of people made up of parents, grandaunts, well-wishers, other local Universities Vice-Chancellors and retired Vice-Chancellors as well as members of the public that for MUHAS being able to produce not only high grade and internationally accepted dons, health and allied sciences experts is in itself a remarkable success let alone being able to grow so big during the 40 plus years period.
One of the vivid successes the Vice-Chancellor was so proud of is the Universities fast but justifiable growth of academic programmes/specialties from a single specialty in 1963 to 71 by last academic year. More specialties are in pipe line to meet national demands for health and allied sciences experts.
One of the strategies which enabled MUHAS to increase enrolment is the construction of twin ultra-modern lecture halls able to accommodate 350 students each at a go and provide modern office spaces for 60 dons.
The two ultra-modern lecture halls were built at a cost of 2.3 billion Tanzania shillings (about US Dollars two million).
The money was provided by the government (TZS one billion), loan by the Tanzania Education Authority- TEA (TZS 814,908,600) and MUHAS internal generated revenues (TZS 570m).
Looking at the way MUHAS has managed to realize the scaling up of student enrolment for being able to contribute over 1.3 billion shillings in the construction of the two ultra-modern lecture halls, one might understand and get a true feeling of Professor Palangyo`s words to president Kikwete, `we believe and confidently feel as an academic institution MUHAS has served the purpose of its establishment and has given the nation what it deserves`.
Apart from achievements in student enrolment, MUHAS has for several years conducted meaningful and internationally accepted research in various sectors of health and allied sciences.
These researches according to the Vice Chancellor were conducted through financial support from partner Universities like the Harvard University and Dartmouth Medical School.
Donor agencies which supported research at MUHAS include the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA/Sarec) and the European Union.
According to Professor Palangyo, research is one of key roles Universities the world over are supposed to undertake if they are to meet their purposes of creation and meet expectations of both the nation and members of the public.
In that sense, the Vice Chancellor expressed his worries in the way the government which is the proprietor of MUHAS has distanced itself from providing funding to research.
``In the last fiscal year MUHAS spent a total of 10 billion Tanzanian shillings which is equivalent to slightly over US Dollars eight million in financing research.
Unfortunately coffers for this important undertaking were filled by donor agencies and partner Universities.
This is not a right move for the government to distance itself from funding research.
The government needs to know that a University without conducting research its credit will be in jeopardy, hence I call upon the state to review its position by releasing funds to cater for research in the coming fiscal year hinted the Vice Chancellor.
Some of the areas which have benefited from MUHAS conducted research are HIV/AIDS, TuberCulosis (TB), Malaria, children and females ailments.
``Research leads to giving accurate solutions to various ailments and health challenges facing mankind, bring positive thinking towards seeking treatments for complicated health cases and generate new knowledge,`` noted Professor Pallangyo, keeping wondering as to how Tanzania can ignore research yet boldly plans to reduce if not eradicate at all various health and medical challenges the nation is currently facing.
Regarding the buildings and other infrastructure from which the University is operating from, Professor Palangyo said most of the buildings are old and need not only urgent but major repairs to be able to serve their purposes well.
He was happy with the government`s decision to press for MUHAS to be given title deeds for 3,800 acres of land at Mloganzila and Kwembe villages along Morogoro road close to Kibaha township where ultra-modern and huge new MUHAS campus is to be set up in a few years to come.
``With humility and honour, I, on behalf of the MUHAS Council would like to salute your government for its firm support which ensured MUHAS is given the new land title deeds.
With the title deeds MUHAS is confidently owning the 3,800 acres on which it plans to build a new campus plus a modern, referral and teaching hospital worth U$ 40 million,`` said the Vice Chancellor.
MUHAS according to the Vice Chancellor feels the government has taken the right move of seeking a loan of US Dollars 40 million to be used in setting up a well equipped and ultra modern referral and teaching hospital as that will significantly reduce staggering expenditure of foreign currencies for ailing Tanzanians referred to foreign hospitals.
During the second MUHAS graduation a total of 569 graduates were awarded Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Bachelor and Master degrees` as well as PhD`s.
Among the graduates was president Kikwete`s daughter Salama Kikwete. The president`s daughter graduated as Doctor of Dental Surgery.
SOURCE: Guardian