By Guardian Reporter , The Guardian
THE Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) is set to formalise a partnership accord with the Nelson Mandela African Institute for Science and Technology (NM-AIST) to develop home-grown technologies and strengthen military research.
Gen. Jacob Mkunda, the chief of defence forces (CDF) made this affirmation over the weekend after visiting NM-AIST and holding discussions with the institution's management on areas where the defence force and the university could work together.
The two institutions were finalising a memorandum of understanding (MoU), a framework for cooperation in technology development and research, prompted by the need to make greater use of expertise available.
The defence force had realised that it was often looking beyond the country's borders for specialised knowledge that could be developed locally, as various technological institutions have the expertise and capacity to provide such technologies, he said.
The proposed MoU would provide a formal basis for the TPDF and NM-AIST to work together in developing technologies and undertaking research that responds to national needs.
The partnership is expected to bring military expertise and academic research together, creating opportunities for the development of practical technological solutions while strengthening Tanzania's capacity to innovate.
Prof. Maulilio Kipanyula, NM-AIST deputy vice chancellor, said the collaboration would initially focus on fields like artificial intelligence, data science and other emerging technologies.
The partnership would enable the two institutions to combine their expertise, infrastructure and other resources to develop technologies not only to strengthen the capabilities of the two institutions but also to contribute to the country's broader technological and economic needs.
The country’s ambitions under Vision 2050 demand the country to strengthen its ability to generate and apply its own knowledge and technologies, as dependence on technologies and knowledge developed elsewhere could limit the country's ability to fully realise its development ambitions, the CDF intoned.
NM-AIST had therefore embarked on the partnership as part of efforts to develop technologies that could respond to explicit needs across different productive and service sectors.
The collaboration is expected to create a platform for researchers and military experts to identify challenges requiring technological solutions and develop innovations based on local expertise, he added.
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