The Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) is a government agency which was established on the 1st July 2005, under the Universities Act, Cap. 346 of the Laws of Tanzania with a legal mandate to recognise, register and accredit universities in Tanzania. It also regulates local or foreign university-level programmes, coordinates the proper functioning of universities and ensures a harmonised higher education system in the country.

TCU succeeded the then Higher Education Accreditation Council (HEAC), which was established in 1995 under the Education Act, 1995. The HEAC had a mandate to regulate the establishment and accreditation of private universities. Being limited only to private universities, such mandate was considered unfavourable for the promotion of a viable public-private partnership in higher education.

To address this, the government created a unified and harmonised higher education system under the TCU. To ensure such a system does not compromise institutional peculiarities and autonomy, each university is vested with the legal right to operate under its charter. The TCU implements the National Education Policy through its functions which can be clustered into three major areas:

  1. Regulatory Function: Ensures quality assurance by evaluating universities, programmes, and systems. Validates programmes, accredits institutions, and evaluates university awards for use in Tanzania.
  2. Advisory Function: Advises the government and public on university education, policy formulation, and international higher education issues.
  3. Supportive Function: Coordinates university operations, students’ admissions, and provides training in areas like quality assurance, leadership, entrepreneurship, and resource mobilization.

Over the years, the Commission has made significant progress in upholding standards, ensuring quality, and maintaining the relevance of university education, training, and research. It remains committed to integrating quality assurance practices into higher education, fostering continuous improvement in universities and academic programmes.

TCU is a member of IUCEA

Vision

Our vision is to become a leading regional higher education regulatory agency supporting systematic growth and excellence of university education in Tanzania.

Mission

Our mission is to promote accessible, equitable, harmonised and quality university education systems that produce nationally and globally competitive outputs.

Motto

Our motto is “Universities for Prosperity”

Our Values

In fulfilling our mission and pursuing our vision, TCU is guided by the following core values

1

Professionalism

We treat every individual with kindness, dignity and care; consider the thoughts and ideas of others inside and outside the Commission with a strong commitment to exemplary personal and institutional altruism, accountability, integrity and honour.

2

Transparency

We are committed to building a work culture where employees rigorously communicate with their peers and exchange ideas and thoughts, to gradually building up trust and pride.

3

Efficiency

We manage resources smartly, focus on activities that create value and deliver at an appropriate speed and quality at all times.

4

Integrity

We ensure that all the academic outputs are produced in line with the international quality by introducing quality assurance measures.

5

Equality

We provide equal opportunities for all with equality of men and women.

6

Tolerance

We foster a spirit of equity that embraces mutual respect, fair play and compassion for those in need and the pursuit of the public good.

7

Accountability

We take charge of our choices and actions by showing maturity and not shift the blame on others or take improper credit. We pursue excellence with diligence, perseverance, and continued improvement.

8

Commitment

We demonstrate honesty in our communication and conduct while managing ourselves with integrity and reliability.

9

Creativity

We anticipate and respond to each challenge with innovative solutions and passion.

Success Story

Over the last 19 years of its existence, TCU has recorded remarkable achievements that have immensely contributed to the development of the higher education sub-sector in the country. The most pronounced achievements that are worthwhile mentioning include:

  1. Improvement of quality assurance practices in university institutions in Tanzania;
  2. Successful coordination of admissions of students into higher education institutions;
  3. Strengthened accreditation and quality assurance systems through development of standards and guidelines; and
  4. Conducting regular capacity building workshops for university leaders and staff aimed at improving the quality of higher education in Tanzania.
  5. Increased access to university education through the establishment of new university institutions.

These achievements are the results of a conducive environment provided by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, and also the private and public sector, and the Commission’s initiatives to establish and sustain national and international collaborations due to the existing legal and regulatory framework of the education sector; stable political conditions; favorable economic conditions; integrated social-cultural environment, and demographic conditions.

Future Outlook

TCU agenda is to continue advocating the improvement of higher education, and specifically mitigating the challenges that are adversely affecting university education in Tanzania so as to enhance accessible, equitable, harmonised and quality university education systems that produce adequate and competitive human resources base for national development.

Besides, the Commission will continue to strengthen its systems and develop more tools and mechanisms for monitoring the quality of education in all university institutions in the country. More specifically, the Commission will continue to:

  1. Promote increased access and equity to higher education by:
    1. Increasing higher education participation rate;
    2. Creating mechanism for increasing female student enrolment rate; 
    3. Improving student enrolment rate in science-related programmes; and
    4. Strengthening coordination for admission process in universities in Tanzania.
  2. Improving quality assurance management systems in universities in Tanzania.
  3. Strengthening linkages with internal and external partners and universities support systems. 

The Commission will continue striving for quality higher education and put forward the interest of our nation. However, the desire to promote accessible, equitable, harmonised and quality university education systems that produce nationally and globally competitive outputs should also be the responsibility of every university in the country.