Govt invests Sh51bn in regional ICT centre of excellence at DIT

Dar es Salaam. The government has invested more than Sh51 billion in establishing a Regional ICT Centre of Excellence, known as RAFIC, at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT).

The centre is intended to strengthen training in technology, engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The investment was made through the East Africa Skills for Transformative and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), which is financed by the World Bank and implemented by the ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

It has equipped DIT with modern infrastructure, including a building with the capacity to accommodate more than 1,800 students, 20 ICT laboratories, an innovation centre and a student hostel.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam, the EASTRIP Project Coordinator at DIT, Dr Joseph Matiko, said that, beyond improved facilities, the investment had helped to revise the institute's curricula in line with employers' needs and technological developments.

The National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NACTVET) has approved the curricula.

He said DIT had enabled instructors and students to design and produce tangible products, including electric three-wheeled vehicles and motorcycle spare parts.

Dr Matiko added that students are being supported to establish their own companies upon graduation, creating employment for other young people.

He cited ABIOS Ltd, Swahili DMakers Ltd and HonicLearn as examples of enterprises that have demonstrated the ability to turn ideas and innovations into marketable products.

He further noted that DIT has formed partnerships with industry and various institutions through cooperation agreements and staff exchange programmes.

These are intended to widen opportunities for practical training, research and employment for graduates.

The institute has also launched joint programmes with Russia's Peoples' Friendship University (RUDN) in data science, artificial intelligence and space technology systems.