Profile of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)

The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) is Tanzania’s oldest and most prestigious public university. Situated 13 kilometers from the bustling city of Dar es Salaam, UDSM occupies an expansive 1,625-acre campus on Observation Hill, known as Mlimani in Kiswahili. Established on October 25, 1961, UDSM began as the University College Dar es Salaam (UCD), affiliated with the University of London. Initially housed at Lumumba Street in Dar es Salaam, the university moved to its current location in 1964.

At its inception, UDSM had only one faculty, the Faculty of Law, with a modest intake of 14 students, among them one woman, Julie Manning. By 1963, UDSM had joined forces with Makerere University College in Uganda and Nairobi University College in Kenya to form the University of East Africa. It later gained full university status on July 1, 1970, through Act No. 12 of 1970.

Over the decades, UDSM has grown significantly, expanding its student population, academic programs, and research capabilities. It now boasts two constituent colleges: the Dar es Salaam University College of Education and the Mkwawa University College of Education in Iringa. Additionally, UDSM features seven campus colleges, four schools, and five institutes, providing a comprehensive array of academic programs. These programs offer a variety of qualifications, including certificates, diplomas, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate degrees. As of the 2020/2021 academic year, the university had enrolled 39,958 students, with female students comprising 46% of the total. The university continues to work toward increasing the ratio of female students through targeted efforts.

Academic Excellence and Vision 2061

In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2011, UDSM launched its Vision 2061, a strategic plan aimed at shaping the future of the university. The emphasis of this vision is on expanding research and postgraduate training. The number of PhD graduates has increased dramatically over the years, with 34 PhD graduates in 2013 rising to 85 in 2018. In response to this growth, UDSM introduced a mid-year graduation ceremony in 2019, where 47 PhD candidates received their degrees. To further support student success, UDSM has established various scholarships to assist both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The Idea Behind the University of Dar es Salaam

The concept of establishing UDSM was first proposed during the 1958 Annual General Meeting of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). Amos Kesenge, then TANU General Secretary, emphasized the importance of education in national development. Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, TANU Chairman and a key figure in Tanzania’s independence movement, echoed these sentiments, urging people to contribute to the university fund. Contributions ranged from football matches organized to raise funds to individual donations from the public.

Conclusion

The University of Dar es Salaam continues to play a pivotal role in Tanzania’s educational landscape, offering a wide range of programs and fostering an environment that promotes research and innovation. As UDSM looks toward the future with its Vision 2061, it remains committed to academic excellence and expanding opportunities for students.

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Contact Information

University of Dar es Salaam
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Mlimani Campus
P.O.Box 35091
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Email: vc@udsm.ac.tz
Website: www.udsm.ac.tz