Duration

2021/2022 to 2025/2026

Coordinator

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST)

Project Objective

Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET)

Funded by: Government of Tanzania through a Loan from the World Bank

Email: heet@tcu.go.tz

Project Overview

The Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), as the principal regulatory body for university education in Tanzania, plays a central role in enhancing the quality of higher education in the country. Through regulatory oversight, policy guidance, and quality assurance frameworks aligned with international standards, TCU aims to build a globally competitive education system. These efforts include capacity building for university leaders and staff, updating quality assurance benchmarks, promoting access and equity in higher education, reviewing legal instruments, and fostering cross-border collaborations.

A major milestone in these efforts is the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project, which aims to improve the quality and relevance of higher education in alignment with the Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2025 and other initiatives on human resource requirements for the country. This initiative supports the country’s transition to a knowledge-based, middle-income economy, with universities playing a central role in producing a skilled workforce and driving socio-economic development.

Project Goals and Work Packages

The TCU-HEET project seeks to transform higher education in Tanzania by addressing systemic challenges and aligning with both national and global development goals. The aim is to produce graduates who are well-prepared to meet labour market demands and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Key Work Packages

• Strengthen accreditation and quality assurance systems by establishing a one-stop quality assurance centre, updating academic standards, training staff, and developing standardised programme benchmarks.
• Promote access and equity by expanding admission pathways, supporting lifelong learning, integrating online systems, and accommodating a diverse range of learners.
• Strengthen university leadership and governance through targeted capacity-building programmes.
• Build the capacity of TCU and universities through staff development, study visits, and the adoption of international best practices, including training in pedagogy, quality assurance, and curriculum development.
• Improve infrastructure by constructing a modern TCU headquarters to support efficient operations and service delivery.
• Review and update TCU internal business processes through self-assessment, and revise legal frameworks, including the Universities Act and related regulations, to better reflect current and emerging needs.

The HEET project positions TCU to lead transformative change in Tanzania’s higher education sector by aligning academic programmes with labour market demands, enhancing institutional and human capacity, and supporting national and regional priorities, including East African Community (EAC) harmonisation, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, and Africa’s Agenda 2063. HEET contributes directly to economic development and a globally competitive education system. TCU remains committed to producing graduates equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive both locally and internationally.