DAR ES SALAAM: THE Samia Scholarship for Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Allied Sciences (DS/AI+) is a prestigious Tanzanian government initiative targeting top-performing Form Six science graduates for advanced, fully funded international studies.
It was reported yesterday that the first batch of Tanzanian students under the Scholarship would leave the country yesterday to pursue studies at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
Launched for the 2025/2027 academic years, it includes a 10-month preparatory bootcamp at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), aiming to build a skilled workforce in AI, machine learning and cybersecurity to drive national digital transformation.
The 16 students will undertake undergraduate degrees in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, marking a significant step in strengthening Tanzania’s expertise in emerging technology fields.
Key details of the scholarship could be viewed as thus: Target audience are top-performing Form Six graduates (Mainland and Zanzibar) with outstanding grades in Physics, Mathematics and other science subjects.
Fields of study are Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering.
Programme structure includes a 10-month bootcamp, meaning a preparatory training at the NM-AIST, international study that means placement at leading universities worldwide for undergraduate studies.
There is also a Master’s support: Government funding for Master’s programmes in DS/AI at NM-AIST. The goal is to create a critical mass of experts to support Tanzania’s national development and 2050 development goals.
The groundbreaking scholarship programme is part of the government’s efforts to align higher education with labour market needs.
The Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adolf Mkenda, has officially launched the Samia Extended Scholarship Programme (DS/AI+), emphasised that the Sixth Phase Government is committed to investing heavily in science, technology and innovation for national progress, and urged young people to seize this opportunity with dedication and knowledge to drive scientific and technological transformation.
The scholarship is a bold step towards preparing young Tanzanians to engage fully with global technological advancements.
Undoubtedly, there is an increasing importance of data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which are gradually being used to address critical challenges in health, agriculture, business, education, security and the environment. All the best Samia scholars.