JOHANNESBURG, SA: Tanzania’s High Commissioner to South Africa, James Bwana, has today welcomed 16 Tanzanian students who arrived in Johannesburg to pursue Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Studies, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence under the Samia Scholarship Extended programme.
The students will undertake their studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), fully sponsored by the Government under an initiative championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to promote science, technology and digital skills among Tanzanian youth.
Speaking shortly after receiving the students at OR Tambo International Airport, High Commissioner Bwana urged them to study diligently and conduct themselves as good ambassadors of Tanzania while in South Africa.
He also commended the Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), the High Commission and other stakeholders, for facilitating overseas study opportunities for high-performing Tanzanian students.
On the same occasion, the envoy also received five additional Tanzanian students who have arrived in South Africa to pursue bachelor’s degrees in mining engineering at the University of Johannesburg. The students are sponsored by Barrick Gold, a South African-based company operating gold mines in Tanzania.
In a related development, the High Commissioner said that in January 2026, the High Commission, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, facilitated seven Tanzanian students to secure scholarships in South Africa. The students are currently pursuing bachelor’s degrees in law and international Relations at the University of Pretoria (UP).
ALSO READ: SAMIA @100 DAYS: Framework developed to close skills gap
Mr Bwana noted that the High Commission remains committed to supporting the practical implementation of the Education and Training Policy of 2014 (2023 Edition).
He added that efforts will continue to mobilise more scholarship opportunities in line with the Government’s vision of building a strong generation of Tanzanian youth equipped with skills to meet the digital demands of the 21st century and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Presenting a 100-day performance report of docket in Dodoma recently, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Professor Mkenda told reporters in Dodoma that during campaign, President Samia Suluhu Hassan pledged her government would emphasize studies in science and mathematics to increase the number of expert scientists in fields such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Industrial Technologies, through the Samia Scholarship Fund for both domestic and international study.
To fulfill this pledge, Prof Mkenda reported that scholarships have already been provided to 3,137 beneficiaries under the Samia Scholarship and Samia Scholarship Extended initiatives.
“This program focuses on preparing youth with skills, expertise, and excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Medical Education, and Collaborative Science,” he explained.