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Unisa partners with leading Tanzanian universities to advance African higher education

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In a landmark move to strengthen academic collaboration across the continent, Unisa has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and the Open University of Tanzania (OUT).

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From left: Dr Matseliso Molapo, Acting Vice-Principal: Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services, Unisa; Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor; Dr Patrick Mbwile, Acting Executive Dean, UDSM Business School; and Prof Eunie Seekoe, Acting Vice-Principal: Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement and Student Support, Unisa

The signing took place on 24 May 2025 during the 15th Thabo Mbeki Annual Africa Day Lecture – a significant platform for advancing Pan-African dialogue and academic innovation. This tripartite agreement cements a shared commitment to promoting excellence in teaching, research and innovation within and beyond the African continent.


A history of collaboration, now renewed

While the formal agreement is new, the relationship between Unisa and its Tanzanian counterparts has evolved through various academic exchanges and collaborative initiatives over several years. Unisa’s engagement with UDSM began in 2017 under a previous MoU that supported student and staff exchange programmes. These exchanges included participation in UDSM’s Research and Innovation Week, where Unisa delegates contributed to academic discussions and showcased their research.

A follow-up exchange in 2022 featured students and staff from Unisa, further strengthening ties and prompting new discussions. In response, UDSM’s Business School expressed interest in working closely with Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership, laying the groundwork for the renewed MoU signed this year.


Shared vision in open and distance learning

With OUT, the collaboration is rooted in a shared mission: delivering quality open, distance and e-Learning (ODeL) across Africa.

Unisa and OUT have developed robust digital learning ecosystems and innovative ICT-based platforms supporting remote learning, assessment and content delivery. These shared strengths present new opportunities to co-create learning solutions tailored to underserved communities across the continent.

Recent engagements have included bilateral visits, joint planning sessions and conference participation. Unisa hosted OUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Elifas Tozo Bisanda, as a keynote speaker during its 2nd International Conference on Higher Education Teaching, Learning and Student Support.


What the MoU means for the future

The newly signed MoU establishes a framework for long-term academic cooperation and innovation. Key areas of focus include

  • joint degree and exchange programmes for students and staff.
  • collaborative research in areas such as marine, maritime and ocean studies.
  • technology and knowledge transfer initiatives.
  • shared academic resources and co-publications.
  • co-supervision of postgraduate research.
  • joint delivery of short learning and formal programmes.
  • conferences, workshops and symposia on shared areas of interest.

The agreements are grounded in mutual respect, academic reciprocity and a vision for high-impact Pan-African scholarship.

The signing ceremony was officiated by Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, alongside Dr Dunlop Ochieng, Executive Dean: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Research and Consultancy at OUT, and Dr Patrick Mbwile, Acting Executive Dean at the UDSM Business School.

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Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and Dr Dunlop Ochieng, Executive Dean: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Research and Consultancy at OUT

The three institutions aim to lead the charge in transforming Africa’s higher education landscape through strategic partnerships, innovation and academic excellence.

This collaboration reaffirms Unisa’s commitment to fostering African knowledge networks that transcend borders and empower future generations of scholars and leaders.  

* By Dr Angeline Magabane, Director: Internationalisation and Partnerships, Unisa

** Photos by Shooheima Champion, Unisa Multimedia Centre

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Publish date: 2025-05-30 00:00:00.0

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