Press Release

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) cordially invites local, international stakeholders and all Tanzanians at the Japan-Tanzania Innovation Forum which will be held at the University of Dar es Salaam Library, from 9 to 10 February, 2023. The main aim of the forum is to bring professors and experts from Tanzania and Japan to exchange their knowledge and experiences on the field of innovation through discussions and lectures. The Guest of Honour at the Opening ceremony of this Forum will be Dr Francis Michael, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The forum is called "Japan-Tanzania Innovation Forum" as it is under the JICA Program for Japanese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam. The main theme of the forum is ‘Innovation for National Growth and Sustainable Development'. Taking into account the central role innovation played in today's development agenda, this event will provide a great opportunity to shed light on the challenges and factors, as far as innovation is concerned, that impede national growth and sustainable development and come up with solutions that could lead to a better future to the nation as whole.

In particular, this event is very important as it will give a clear picture of the challenges, opportunities and best ways on how Tanzania can apply innovation for its sustainable development and how Japan can contribute towards the country's innovation in the agriculture sector. Therefore, participants will have an opportunity to hear and learn some secrets behind Japan's modernization experience through lectures by Japanese professors, distinguished experts in the field of innovation, and some members of the JICA alumni.

The forum is very significant to the University of Dar es Salaam whose Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship observes challenges between generating knowledge generation and research at the University of Dar es Salaam vis-a'-vis application of the knowledge and research output. Thus, the collaboration between UDSM and JICA in Tanzania aims to strengthen an environment that fosters innovation for national growth and sustainable development.

This event will be conducted physically and virtually at the University of Dar es Salaam, bringing together more than 300 participants. The participants include experts, students and academicians from Tanzania and Japan who will discuss and share thoughts on how innovation can elevate Tanzania's national growth and sustainable development. The Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania Hon. Misawa Yasushi, Chief Representative of JICA, Mr. Yamamura Naofumi and UDSM Vice Chancellor Prof. William Anangisye will attend this event.

Panelists and Lecturers who will speak in this forum will come from Japan and Tanzania.

Those from Japan include Prof. Hasegawa Mariko, President of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Sokendai, Japan, and Dr. Togami Takashi, e-kakashi Business Director of Softbank Corp., Japan. Panelists from Tanzania will be Prof. Hannibal Bwire, Director of UDSM Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Dr. Amos Nungu, the Director General of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).

Therefore, JICA and UDSM invite researchers, academicians, policy makers and other stakeholders from within and outside the country to attend this forum about innovation, which are key impetuses for sustainable and inclusive development in the society and the nation in general.

• SPECIAL WEBSITE: 60 Years' History of JICA Cooperation in Tanzania

Issued by:

Dr. Augustina Alexander
Director of Internationalization, Convocation
and Innovation
University of Dar es Salaam
08 February, 2021

Mr. Watanabe Hideki
Senior Representative
JICA Tanzania Office
08 February, 2023