Saarland University Hosts Second TANZIE Study Visit on Internationalisation and Innovation in Higher Education

On 12th and 13th May 2025, Saarland University hosted the second study visit under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) TANZIE Project, bringing together project partners for a two-day engagement focused on internationalisation and innovation in higher education.

The visit provided delegates from African and European partner institutions with valuable insights into effective internationalisation strategies and innovative academic models implemented within European universities. The participating institutions included the 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), the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), and the University of Alicante (UA), which also serves as the coordinating institution for the TANZIE Project.

During the visit, the Executive Secretary of TCU, Prof. Charles Kihampa, paid a courtesy visit to Prof. Jutta Kray, Vice President for Education at Saarland University, underscoring the importance of institutional partnerships in fostering global academic exchange.

The programme commenced with sessions on Saarland University’s internationalisation strategy, accompanied by a detailed presentation on the structure, mandate, and operations of the university’s International Office. Participants were also introduced to the IDC Latin America initiative, which focuses on the institution’s engagement with higher education institutions across Latin America. Additionally, the university’s participation in Jean Monnet projects was showcased, reflecting its strong commitment to European and global academic cooperation.

The second day of the visit centred on innovative educational programmes and strategic partnerships. Notable presentations included an overview of the European University Alliance Transform4Europe (T4EU), the Global Classroom model that promotes online international teaching, and the AMASE international study programme coordinated by EUSMAT. A dedicated session on the Erasmus+ KA171 programme provided practical insights into the use of mobility schemes to enhance global academic collaboration.

The study visit concluded with an engaging session on the University of the Greater Region, a unique cross-border academic alliance followed by a reflective discussion during which participants shared key takeaways from the visit. A guided campus tour and structured networking opportunities further enriched the experience, fostering peer learning and institutional dialogue among TANZIE partners.

Building on the experiences gained during the study visit, the Tanzania Commission for Universities has identified several strategic actions to enhance the higher education landscape in Tanzania:

• Capacity Building for Quality Assurance Units: Strengthen the competencies of internal quality assurance units to ensure they effectively fulfil their responsibilities, thereby supporting the long-term sustainability and academic integrity of universities.
• Scaling Up Internationalisation Strategies: Promote the adoption of internationalisation frameworks across all Tanzanian university institutions through targeted capacity development workshops.
• Promoting Micro-Credentials and Quality Assurance Mechanisms: Engage stakeholders in raising awareness on the value of micro-credentials and develop strong quality assurance systems to support their implementation.

This second TANZIE study visit marked a significant step towards achieving the project’s broader objective of enhancing internationalisation practices across Tanzanian universities. Through collaborative learning, peer engagement, and institutional exchange, the visit reaffirmed the consortium’s commitment to building resilient, innovative, and globally competitive higher education systems.