Last Updated on Thursday, October 12, 2023 by HEET Website Team

Personal Information

  • Full Name: Mathew Ladslaus Sengelela
  • Gender: MALE
  • Photo:
  • Contact Information (Phone Number, Email, Address):

Phone:             +255 744 151883

Email:              mathew.sengelela@sua.ac.tz

Address:          Sokoine University of Agriculture,

College of Forestry, Wilflife and Tourism,

Department of Tourism and Rcreation

P.O.Box 3167,

MOROGORO – TANZANIA

Brief introduction of yourself:
Mathew is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Tourism and Recreation at Sokoine University of Agriculture. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Tourism Management at Makerere University, Uganda, and holds an MSc in Leisure, Tourism, and Environment from Wageningen University and a Bachelor of Tourism Management from Makerere University. Mathew previously worked as a Tourism Officer in Tanzania and has over twelve years of experience in tourism and wildlife management. He joined Sokoine University of Agriculture in 2010 and has expertise in political ecology, governance, and wildlife management. His expertise covers tourism resources, natural resource planning and use, human dimensions of tourism and conservation, tourism business management, and tourism influences on communities’ livelihoods, environment, and development.

 

My favorite leisure activities include reading, writing, and engaging in intellectual and socioeconomic dialogues. I enjoy sports, music, and nature documentaries. I excel as a public speaker and leader in social and community organizations.

I was a co-author on six journal papers. A team leader in four consultation assignments, and team members in fourteen consultancy works. So far, I have supervised 83 undergraduate student research projects.

To be a reliable and a strategic leader/researcher/a consultant in the areas of tourism, natural resources and hospitality industry management.

Academic Background

Educational background (List all institutions attended, starting from the most recent):

  1. Makerere University, Kampala – Uganda (From January 2023 to-date)
  2. Wageningen University of Research, The Netherlands (October 2010 – October 2013)
  • Makerere University, Kampala – Uganda (2004 – 2007)
  1. Fransiscan Maua Seminary – Moshi (2001 – 2003)
  2. Mkuu Secondary School – Kilimanjaro (1997 – 2000)
  3. Kwasondo Primary School (1990- 1996)

 

Academic achievements and awards:

  1. Ph.D. in Tourism Management (on-going from January 2023)
  2. MSc. Leisure, Tourism and Environment (2013)
  • Bachelor of Tourism Management (Hons) – (2007)
  1. Advanced Certificate of Secondary School Education (2003)
  2. Certificate of Secondary School Education (2000)
  3. Primary School Leaving Certificate (1996)

 

Awards:

  1. World Bank Science and Technology Higher Education Project (STHEP) scholarship award for undertaking MSc. Leisure, Tourism & Environment – Wageningen University of Research, The Netherlands. September 2011 – August 2013
  2. Best student award (Bachelor of Tourism) from the Geography Department on the 58th Graduation of Makerere University. 31st January, 2008

 

Extracurricular activities related to academics:

  • A member of IUCN-World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). Trans boundary Conservation Specialist Group, a member of Volunteer for Africa (Wildlife of Africa) based in the UK

 

  • Skills or areas of expertise related to your field of study

Political ecology in natural resources conservation and management; Tourism, conservation and community livelihoods; Tourism planning, management, promotion and marketing; Tourism attractions management and strategies for sustainable development; Tourisms’ impact on the environment and development as linked to climate change.

 

HEET Project Scholarship

I am a recipient of a full-time Ph.D. scholarship that covers tuition, a stipend, stationery, and other expenditures for three years beginning in January 2023. I am pursuing my studies at from Makerere University in Uganda.

Receiving the scholarship has had a significant influence on my academic career, as it has opened doors and offered possibilities that would otherwise have been unavailable to me.

Overall, this scholarship has not only changed my educational route, but it has also given me the confidence to pursue and confidently grow in my career.

 

Plans for Future
As a graduate student, my long-term career goals are to become a recognized researcher and professor in the fields of tourism and natural resource management.

Through my future profession, I hope to make important contributions to the sector, expand our understanding of tourism, and better use the industry for developing communities and the nation as a whole. Furthermore, I am dedicated to develop the future generation of tourism and natural resource managers by educating and mentoring ambitious students and helping them toward a greater grasp of the industry’s potential and problems.

 

Giving Credit and Expressing Gratitude
The lower number of PhD holders in the tourism sector is associated with difficulty obtaining scholarships in the area. The project has come at the right time to further add on important manpower with Ph.D. qualifications. Without HEET, the long wait and struggle would continue. I totally vested my last ambitions in this opportunity. Thanks to all who made this possible at all levels, from the University Management, the Government through the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and donors supporting the project. Therefore, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for selecting me as the recipient of this scholarship. I am truly honoured to have been chosen amongst a pool of highly qualified candidates, and I assure you that I will make the most of this opportunity to excel in my studies and contribute positively to my chosen field. Your investment in my future has not reinforced my determination to succeed, and for that, I am immensely grateful. Once again, accept my sincerest thanks for this invaluable scholarship.