May
5th, 2015, The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH)
in partnership with the US Embassy Dar es Salam have awarded a total
amount of 15,000 USD to the Winners of the Powering Africa Research
Competition in a special ceremony at COSTECH Head quarters Kijitonyama
Dar es Salaam
This
is one of the measures towards realizing Power Africa initiative, the
programme that was announced in 2013 by President of the US, Mr. Barrack
Obama when he visited Tanzania.
Jury
Chairperson of the Competition Prof Prosper Ngowi from Mzumbe University
said the main objective of the competition was for the University
students to address the potential impact of power availability, demand,
supply as well as consumption in the selected regions as a reflection of
economic and social development by 2025.
He
said the Competition was for undergraduate students for the three
selected regions and three Universities located in those regions.
Delivering
a speech on behalf of the Permanent secretary in the Ministry of
Communication, Science and Technology, the Director of Science and
Technology in that Ministry Prof Evelyn Mbede said the US State
Department –US Embassy of Dar es Salaam together with COSTECH have
demonstrated an innovative way to address future scenarios using
research.
The
Guest of Honor, Director of Science and Technology from the Ministry of
Communication Science and Technology, Prof Evelyn Mbede delivers a
speech during the Award Ceremony at COSTECH.
She also said it was more common to solve current problems using research than looking into research to solve future challenges.
She
maintained that youths should receive the correct guidance to take on
the challenges and leverage opportunities of development and reminded
about the role of higher learning institutions
“I
urge all higher learning Institution in Tanzania to use student projects
to analyze and research on the varied challenges that face the
respective regions where they occur, the communities and nation as a
whole.”She remarked.
The
Guest of Honour, Director of Science and Technology from the Ministry of
Communication Science and Technology, Prof Evelyn Mbede(Centre)Smiles
when handing over a Cheque worth 1500 USD to Mr Cralence Nyanga(in a
Black Suit) and Ms Labule Beatrice from St Augustine University of
Tanzania. Looking on is a Power Africa Tanzania Inter-Agency Coordinator
Ms. Sharon Pauling and Prof Ngowi from Mzumbe.
A group photo.
For
her part,the Power Africa Tanzania Inter-Agency Coordinator Ms. Sharon
Pauling said the challenge of power is a big problem and that is why the
US Embassy in Dar es Salaam and COSTECH decided to organize the
competition.
She said in order for any country to grow, Power and Energy is very important
COSTECH
Acting Director General Dr Ismail Tibazarwa said COSTECH will continue
working with different stakeholders to coordinate and develop different
research activities in the Country.
“At
COSTECH, We believe in Research as a solution to different problems in
our country. We have been supporting different Research projects in the
Country to find solutions in different sectors especially
agriculture.”She said
She added that the move to support power and energy Research is something which can transform the Tanzanian economy.
Powering
Africa Research Paper Competition was a competition designed by COSTECH
and US Embassy Dar es Salam to stimulate and gauge innovative ideas
from Tanzanian’s on how the Power Africa initiative could be realized.
It
targeted undergraduate students for Dar es Salaam(University of Dar es
Salaam ),Mwanza(St Augustine University) and Mtwara(Stella Maris
University College).
University
of Dar es Salaam Winners were Mr Nickson Moses and Ms Angela Edes,Mr
Daudi Nkubile and Ms Neema Msemwa,Mr Emanuel Mmole and Mr Emanuel
Mchau
St
Augustine University Winners were Mr Fredy Peter and Mr Kelvin Wagara,Mr
Nyanga Clarence and Ms Labule Beatrice. Others are Ms Agnes Msemo and
Ms Irene Kabyemela.
Winners
from Stella Maris University College were Mr Stephano Elias and Ms
Euphranzia Robert,Ms Catherine Lukowa and Mr Aluto Nyambo. Others are
Mr Bunde Sylvano and Ms Machoe Charles
