PARIS: TANZANIA’S Ambassador to France, Saidi Othman Yakubu, has called for stronger efforts to advance gender equality in higher education, saying greater participation of women in leadership positions is essential for building inclusive and effective academic institutions.
The ambassador made the remarks during a meeting at the Tanzanian Embassy in Paris with a delegation of 18 women leaders from the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), who are in France on a professional capacity-building visit focused on leadership, university governance and institutional management.
The delegation, led by Dr Janeth Emanuel Kigoba, Dean of the Faculty of Education at OUT, is undertaking a study tour aimed at exchanging experiences and learning from international best practices in higher education leadership and administration.
Addressing the delegation, Ambassador Yakubu said the increasing visibility of women in senior academic positions was a positive sign for a sector that has traditionally struggled to achieve gender balance.
“For many years, higher education has lagged behind some other sectors in terms of gender equality. It is therefore encouraging to see more women stepping into leadership roles and actively investing in their professional development,” he said.
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He noted that universities occupy a strategic position in shaping future leaders, professionals and policymakers, making gender inclusivity in academic leadership a critical component of sustainable national development.
“Education remains the cornerstone of any nation’s progress. When women are empowered to lead within institutions of higher learning, the benefits extend beyond campuses to society and the economy as a whole,” he added.
The ambassador encouraged the participants to use the knowledge and experience gained during the visit to champion institutional reforms that create more opportunities for women in leadership, research and academic careers.
He further stressed the importance of mentorship and networking in nurturing the next generation of female leaders within Tanzania’s higher education sector.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr Kigoba thanked the Tanzanian Embassy in France for its support and engagement, describing the visit as an important opportunity for participants to broaden their perspectives and learn from international experiences.
She said exposure to different governance and management systems would help strengthen leadership capacity and contribute to improved performance within Tanzanian higher learning institutions.
The study visit forms part of the Open University of Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s leadership, promote gender equality and enhance institutional excellence in higher education.
As Tanzania continues to pursue inclusive development, initiatives that equip women with leadership skills and expand their participation in decision-making positions are increasingly being viewed as critical to the transformation of the education sector and the country’s broader socio-economic agenda.