In order to address the challenge of graduates’ lack of experience, the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) through the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project has taken the initiative to convene private sectors, industries, companies, and academic training institutions to devise collective strategies to overcome this issue.

This was revealed by Prof. Esron Karimuribo, the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer, and Consultancy at SUA, during a meeting held in Dar es Salaam on January 17, 2023, where stakeholders gathered to find effective solutions to the problem of inadequate experience for graduates.

Prof. Esron Karimuribo

Initially, Prof. Karimuribo pointed out that there have been recurring blame games between Educational Institutions and Industries. Educational Institutions often believe they produce highly skilled and competent students, while Industries think that these graduates lack sufficient training and experience, resulting in their struggle to secure jobs in various fields.

Furthermore, Prof. Karimuribo emphasized that this meeting marks the beginning of discussions to address the existing gaps between Industries, Companies, and Higher Education Institutions, aiming to enhance collaborations that enable students to gain practical experience and improve their skills to tackle this challenge effectively.

He added that Higher Education Institutions play a significant role in allowing people from Industries and Companies to participate in training sessions they organize. In addition to conducting research and publishing papers, Universities in the future will rely on their graduates to establish companies and industries, which will provide accurate answers and solutions to research conducted by academicians from these institutions.

Dr. Felix Nandonde, a Lecturer at SUA and the Coordinator of the HEET Project’s component that focuses on linking Industries and Higher Education Institutions, stated that through the project, Tanzanian students pursuing higher education will overcome the challenge of inadequate knowledge resulting from the lack of practical training. This will be achieved by bringing together stakeholders from Industries, private companies, and Higher Education.

He mentioned that the project allows academicians to have the opportunity to learn from the world of Industries, fostering an exchange of ideas and knowledge to uplift their expertise.

On their part, Mr. Rajabu Athumani, a Program Officer from the Tanzanian Women Entrepreneurs Association (TWCC), and Ms. Anna Malaba, Assistant Coordinator from the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (TCCIA), expressed that such training sessions will enable them to exchange knowledge and experiences with academicians, leading to innovative ideas that will contribute to the growth of Industries.

In conclusion, the HEET Project’s efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industries hold promise in resolving the issue of graduates’ lack of experience. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, this initiative aims to equip Tanzanian students with practical skills, empowering them to tackle real-world challenges and bolster economic growth in the country.

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