Feasibility study on long-awaited Butiama University now complete

By Sylivester Domasa

Jenister Muhagama, deputy minister for Education and Vocational Training

Feasibility study for the construction of the country’s first state of the art Agriculture and Allied Science University in Butiama, Mara  Region is complete, the House was told earlier this week.

 

Jenister Muhagama, deputy minister for Education and Vocational Training said the feasibility study for the construction of the high learning institution in honour of the late founding father of the nation Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was conducted by the government in collaboration with experts from the ministry of education, planning commission, Ardhi and Sokoine University of Agriculture.

 

According to the deputy minister, the feasibility study also recommended the construction of five campuses for the university which include the main campus in Butiama and four others in Serengeti, Bunda, Rorya and Musoma districts.

“The plan is to ensure the region gets a higher learning institution. We’re in good stage towards realising this goal. The current status include nominating principals for respective campuses as well as financial resources for the construction of the institution,” she announced.

 

In addition, Mhagama noted that the ministry had so far requested funding from the treasury for the construction to kick start.

The announcement was prompted by a question by  Musoma Urban MP Vincent Nyerere (Chadema) who demanded clarification on whether the government is ready to transform Buhare- Community Development Training Institute to a higher learning institute.

 

“Mara region has no higher learning institute, but there is Buhare Collage which meets all requirements to be a university,” he said.

The lawmaker went on to note that there was no land portion for the construction of a university in the area and lamented those talk of the construction of a university has been longstanding but without any results.

 

In response, Muhagama explained that Buhare College in Musoma Municipal, constructed in the 1964, is strategically designed to offer maternal health, child care and home economics.

 

“So we cannot change the founding bases of the institution due to its importance for community development,” he said.

 

Muhagama detailed that, transformation of the college can only be done after the Tanzania commission of universities (TCU) suggests so.

 

The construction of a university in Butiama was first announced by President Jakaya Kikwete during the last general elections back in 2010 when announcing his 2010-2015 priorities.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN