Successful Kick-Off Meeting Marks the Launch of the TANZIE Project
The TANZIE Project an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education initiative co-funded by the European Commission, was officially launched during a successful two-day kick-off meeting held on 6th and 7th May, 2025 at the University of Alicante, Spain. Coordinated by the University of Alicante, the meeting convened partner institutions from both Africa and Europe, laying the groundwork for effective collaboration and shared understanding as the project enters its implementation phase.
The kick-off meeting brought together representatives from the following TANZIE project partners:
- Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU);
- Mzumbe University (MU);
- Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM);
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST);
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS);
- University of Saarland (USAAR);
- European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD); and
- University of Alicante (UA).
Representing the Tanzania Commission for Universities were Prof. Charles Kihampa, Executive Secretary; Dr. Telemu Kassile, Director of Accreditation; and Dr. Mariam Hamisi, Principal Quality Assurance Officer. The four Tanzanian partner universities each delegated three officials, including senior university leaders such as the Vice Chancellor of Mzumbe University and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Finance, and Administration) of CUHAS.
The event began with welcoming remarks by Mr. Juan Llopis, Director for Institutional Relations and Projects, and Ms. Carolina Madeleine, Director of the Institutional Project Management Office at the University of Alicante. An engaging icebreaker session followed, setting a collaborative tone among the diverse participants.
A key highlight of the first day was a thought-provoking panel discussion on the role of higher education institutions in addressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, conflict, and health crises. Prof. Charles Kihampa, Executive Secretary of TCU, actively contributed to the discussion, emphasising the critical role of universities in promoting sustainable development and fostering international cooperation.
The project coordination team led detailed sessions on the TANZIE project's objectives, organisational structure, thematic work packages, and anticipated impact. Partners from institutions such as TCU and the University of Alicante shared their perspectives and expectations, reinforcing a shared commitment to the project's vision.
Technical sessions further explored Erasmus+ CBHE project expectations, with a focus on sustainability, long-term impact, effective management, and communication strategies. The second day featured in-depth discussions on the six work packages, allowing partners to align on implementation steps and deliverables.
All partners demonstrated active engagement, contributing their expertise and solidifying a collaborative roadmap for the initial phases of the project. The meeting concluded with a unified commitment to the project’s objectives and a clear strategic direction for the months ahead.
Beyond fostering collaboration, the kick-off meeting served as a valuable platform for networking, experience sharing, and mutual learning. It also provided an opportunity for partners to reflect on institutional practices and explore avenues for further capacity development.
Based on the insights and experiences gained during the meeting, the Tanzania Commission for Universities identified three priority areas for strengthening its institutional efforts:
- Enhancing Support to Quality Assurance Units: TCU will continue to build the capacity of internal quality assurance units in universities to ensure sustainability and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
- Scaling Up Internationalisation Strategies: The Commission plans to extend internationalisation initiatives to all Tanzanian university institutions through structured and inclusive capacity-building workshops.
- Promoting Micro-Credentials and Quality Assurance: TCU will engage relevant stakeholders to raise awareness of the growing importance of micro-credentials and will develop quality assurance mechanisms to support their implementation.
With these strategic priorities, TCU reaffirms its commitment to advancing the quality, relevance, and international competitiveness of higher education in Tanzania while contributing meaningfully to broader regional and global academic development.
