Shein directs varsities to promote Kiswahili

ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar

ZANZIBAR President Ali Mohamed Shein has directed universities here to support the Zanzibar-based East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) in its efforts to develop Kiswahili as the ‘lingua franca’ for regional and international communication.

In his speech at the 16th graduation of the Abdurahman Al-Sumat Memorial University (SUMAIT University) here, Dr Shein touted more Kiswahili researches and production of highly qualified Kiswahili teachers to promote the language among EAC member states.

“It is important for our universities to ensure that their curricula consider the current and future needs of the commission,” insisted Dr Shein in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister for Health, Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo.

The president strongly urges isles’ universities to devise strategies that would enable their graduates and lecturers to make the best use of the EAKC opportunities, stressing, “let us deliver what the East African Community members states expect of the people of Zanzibar in developing and promoting Kiswahili globally.”

“Zanzibaris commend the East African Community for its decision to locate the Headquarters of the EAKC in Zanzibar,” said the president, adding: “Our universities have a great role to play in supporting the commission to fulfil its mandate effectively and efficiently’’.

Dr Shein applauded SUMAIT University’s positive response on his call for the Zanzibar universities to embark on research undertakings and consultancy, observing that “it is through researches and applications of credible research findings that we can systematically promote innovation, generate wealth and ultimately achieve our development goals’’.

He advised the SUMAIT University to work closely with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) in the implementation of the Zanzibar Government Research Agenda for 2015-2020.

“It is my hope that you give research priority,” Dr Shein said, adding that the government has identified and prioritised a number of sectoral researchable areas in various fields including oil and gas, agriculture, tourism and education. He hailed SUMAIT for its research initiatives and urged other isles’ universities to emulate it, saying: “These are commendable and exemplary initiatives that should be emulated by all higher learning institutions in Zanzibar.

” The president was impressed on the current trend in the Zanzibar universities in which women students outshine men -- both in enrolment and performance -- and urged male students to work harder to compete.

“These are notable achievements in the government’s efforts to promote gender equality and open up more opportunities for women in all spheres of life” Dr Shein said in the speech, which included a call on the graduates, who get employment to remember to pay back loans because it was a revolving fund.

A total of 782 graduands received degrees, diplomas and certificates conferred to them by the Chairman of the Higher Council of the University, Dr Abdulrahman Al-Muhailan. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr Hemed Hykman, said that despite admirable achievements, such as promoting research, the institution faces multiple challenges, including shortage of water.