TANZANIA: STUDENTS benefiting from the Samia Scholarship Extended Programme have been urged to use their international education opportunities to help shape Tanzania’s future in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Data Science and digital technologies.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of a pre-departure training programme for 34 students set to leave for Ireland to pursue undergraduate studies, the Vice- Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Prof Maulilio Kipanyula, said the completion of the programme marked not an end, but the beginning of a journey to develop experts who will drive transformation in Tanzania and across Africa through science, technology and innovation.
“You are the generation that will shape the future of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital innovation and technological development in Tanzania, Africa, and the world. I congratulate you on completing this programme. Your success is the result of discipline, perseverance, commitment and hard work. You have demonstrated great potential and made Tanzania proud,” he said.
Prof Kipanyula noted that the world is undergoing rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence, data science and emerging technologies, which are reshaping key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, public services and the broader economy.
He added that nearly 90 per cent of employers worldwide are expected to prioritise AI and data science skills among the most important qualifications over the next five years, while global investment in artificial intelligence continues to grow, creating new employment and innovation opportunities.
“The Samia Scholarship Programme is more than financial support for education; it is a strategic investment in Tanzania’s future. The country needs young people capable of developing innovative solutions in healthcare, agriculture, cybersecurity, education, public services and other key development sectors,” he said.
The programme coordinator, Prof Liliane Pasape, who is also a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Business School (BuSH) at NM-AIST, said the students had successfully completed a 10-month specialised training programme at the Tanzania Centre of Excellence for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
She encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to contribute to national development and to serve as good ambassadors for Tanzania in the international universities and institutions where they will continue their studies.
Prof Pasape said the programme had achieved its objective of preparing talented young Tanzanians for globally competitive higher education by equipping them with skills in data science, artificial intelligence, English language proficiency, leadership, patriotism, and other essential competencies.
She added that the students, among the country’s top-performing youth, had demonstrated remarkable resilience, discipline and dedication throughout the training. They also earned internationally recognised certifications in artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity, positioning them competitively within the global digital economy.
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Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Angela Mongi and Emmanuel Said expressed gratitude to the government for providing the scholarship through the Samia Scholarship Programme and pledged to use the education and skills acquired with integrity, patriotism, and commitment to contribute to Tanzania’s development.
Mongi said the scholarship, offered under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, had given them a unique opportunity to advance their education and skills, and they would ensure they repay the nation’s investment through dedicated and professional service.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CoCSE), Dr Judith Leo urged the students to continue applying the knowledge gained for the benefit of the nation and to remain exemplary ambassadors of Tanzania wherever they go.