Internationalisation Conference charts a path for stronger global engagement in Tanzania's universities

The Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), through the Tanzania Internationalisation Strategies for Higher Education (TANZIE) Project, today 19 June, 2026 convened the Conference on Internationalisation of Higher Education in Tanzania at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha.

Held under the theme “Strengthening Internationalisation Strategies for Higher Education in Tanzania,” the conference provided a valuable platform for sharing experiences, best practices and innovative approaches aimed at enhancing international cooperation, academic mobility, research collaboration and institutional partnerships.

The conference was officiated by the Vice Chancellor of NM-AIST, Prof. Maulilio Kipanyula, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of TCU, Prof. Charles Kihampa. In his remarks, Prof. Kipanyula underscored the growing importance of internationalisation in shaping resilient, innovative and globally competitive universities capable of responding to emerging national, regional and global challenges.

He noted that internationalisation has become a strategic imperative for higher education institutions seeking to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, strengthen research and innovation, promote cultural exchange and prepare graduates for an increasingly interconnected world.

“The internationalisation agenda is no longer optional. It is a critical component of university transformation and a catalyst for academic excellence, institutional visibility and sustainable development,” he said.

The conference attracted university staff from across the country responsible for internationalisation, including officers overseeing international student affairs and the coordination of staff and student mobility programmes. Participants engaged in extensive discussions on practical strategies for advancing internationalisation efforts within Tanzanian universities and leveraging global partnerships to enhance institutional performance and academic outcomes.

Key presentations focused on a range of topical issues, including strategic pathways for transforming university internationalisation through global benchmarking and best practices; opportunities for cooperation between the European Union and East Africa under the Global Gateway initiative; key aspects for enhancing cooperation with European higher education institutions; and challenges affecting the implementation of internationalisation activities in higher education institutions in Tanzania.

Participants highlighted the importance of developing institutional internationalisation strategies, strengthening support systems for international students, expanding staff and student exchange opportunities, enhancing collaborative research initiatives and increasing the global visibility of Tanzanian universities.

The conference also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences on addressing barriers to internationalisation and identifying practical solutions for strengthening international engagement across the higher education sector.

The TANZIE Project continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Tanzanian universities to integrate internationalisation into their institutional policies, strategies and operations. Through capacity-building initiatives and international collaboration, the project seeks to strengthen the ability of higher education institutions to compete effectively in the global academic environment while contributing to national development priorities.

The project, co-funded by the European Union, brings together a consortium of Tanzanian and European partners committed to advancing the internationalisation agenda in higher education. The Tanzanian partners comprise the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), Mzumbe University (MU), the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), the Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM), and the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS).

The European partners include the University of Alicante in Spain, Saarland University in Germany, and the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).