Focus on studies, BoT advises Nyerere scholarship awardees

BoT Deputy Governor (Economic and Financial Policy,) Dr Natu Mwamba

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has described demonstration of focused concentration, sincerity, seriousness and discipline in studies as part of the recipe for sterling performance at university.

 

BoT Deputy Governor (Economic and Financial Policy) Dr Natu Mwamba made remarks to this effect in Dar es Salaam earlier this week when handing over an HP laptop to each of eight recipients of the bank’s Mwalimu Julius K Nyerere Memorial Scholarship Fund awards for academic year 2014/2015.

 

According to a press statement issued by the bank’s Public Relations and Protocol Department yesterday, she said the attributes were what the awardees needed to become “role models and ambassadors” of the prestigious awards.

 

“As a mother and a teacher, I must say it is my pride to see young people like you pursuing further studies,” said Dr Mwamba, congratulating the awardees on their excellent performance in their final Advanced Certificate of Secondary School Education (Form Six) and bachelor’s degree examinations. 

 

“These outstanding performances enabled you to secure the Mwalimu Julius K Nyerere Memorial Scholarships despite stiff competition,” she noted, adding that a total of 70 candidates had applied for sponsorship.

 

“I believe that these laptops will have substantial value addition in your performance by enabling you to access information relevant to your respective studies, including facilitating timely production of reports and other assignments,” said Dr Mwamba.

 

Dr Mwamba and certified public accountant Julius Angelo, a former economics lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam and now BoT Director of Finance, offered the awardees freedom to consult anyone at the bank on their respective specialties whenever the need to do so arose.

 

“Feel free. You are part of us now. Feel free to ask us anything…Work hard, bring us the best scores and you will definitely move mountains,” the BoT deputy governor.

 

BoT acting Director of Banking Jovent Rushaka meanwhile told the students that everything had been paid for them except clothing and make-ups, adding: “So, work hard and perform better.”

 

The awardees include Doris Noah, who is pursuing Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering, Lisa Mimbi (Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics) and Nestory Makendi (Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting), all of them at the University of Dar es Salaam.

 

Also awarded are Monica Mtei (Doctor of Medicine), Wema Kibanga (Bachelor of Pharmacy) and Doreen Mutemi (Master of Science in Parasitology and Entomology), all at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.

 

Yet others are Jovina Leonidas (Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance) and Paulo Kitosi (Masters of Architecture), both studying at Ardhi University.

 

The bank said the scholarship beneficiaries were selected through a rigorous process overseen by an independent awards committee and approved by the central bank’s board of directors.

The awardees thanked the bank for the recognition, promising to “repay this huge investment through better results and service to the nation” upon completion of their studies.

 

Mwalimu Julius K Nyerere Memorial Scholarship Fund is an endowment Fund established by BoT on October 12, 2009 in commemoration of the great achievements of the Father of the Nation. It was launched by President Jakaya Kikwete in Arusha on November 27, 2012.

 

The Fund’s primary objective is to promote interest and excellence in Mathematics and Science courses among female students in Tanzania, but it also sponsors male students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

 

A group of six other students, four undertaking undergraduate and two master’s degree courses, obtained the scholarships in academic year 2013/14 and are continuing with their studies.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN