The University of Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s oldest Public University. It is situated on the western side of Dar es Salaam, occupying 1,625 acres on Observation Hill. It is 13 kilometres from the city centre.
It was established on 1 July 1970 through the Parliament Act No. 12 of 1970, along with all the enabling legal instruments of the constituent colleges.
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Table of Contents
Vision, Mission, and Motto
- Vision: To become a leading Centre of Intellectual Wealth, spearheading the quest for sustainable and inclusive development.
- Mission: The University of Dar es Salaam will advance the economic, social, and technological development of Tanzania and beyond through excellent teaching and learning, research, and knowledge exchange.
- Motto: Hekima ni Uhuru (Wisdom is Freedom).
Campuses
The University has nine campuses:
- UDSM Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere Main Campus,
- Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) located in Zanzibar;
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) located at Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam;
- School of Aquatic Science and Fisheries Technology (SoAF), situated at Kunduchi Beach;
- College of Information and Communication Technology (CoICT) at Kijitonyama, Dar es Salaam,
- University of Dar es Salaam Mineral Resources Institute (UDSM – MRI) in Dodoma and Nzega,
- Mbeya College of Health and Allied Science (MCHAS) is located in Mbeya.
- Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), situated at Chang’ombe, Dar es Salaam; and
- Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE) is located in Iringa.
Candidates are admitted to the University of Dar es Salaam to pursue various degree programs or courses at the mentioned campuses each year.
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Academic Disciplines
The University of Dar Es Salaam is organised into various Colleges and faculties, each comprising multiple departments. As follows:
- College of Agricultural Sciences and Food Technology (CoAF)
- College of Engineering and Technology (CoET)
- College of Humanities (CoHU)
- College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT)
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS)
- College of Social Sciences (CoSS)
- University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS)
- University of Dar es Salaam School of Law (UDSoL)
- School of Education (SoED)
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC)
- School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology (SoAF)
- School of Mines and Geosciences (SoMG)
- University of Dar es Salaam School of Economics (UDSE)
- Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
- Institute of Kiswahili Studies (IKS)
- Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS)
- Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA)
- Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE)
- Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE)
Degree Programs Offered
The University of Dar es Salaam offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
These programs are designed to meet the diverse educational needs of students and to prepare them for professional careers as well.
The University follows a semester system, and its degrees are recognised nationally by TCU and internationally.
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General Information
Students Administration
The Department of Student Administration, headed by the Dean of Students, primarily deals with the personal and social welfare aspects of students’ lives.
The office of the Dean of Students provides the following facilities:
- residence,
- games and sports,
- worship,
- student counselling on various problems, and
- career guidance.
The Dean of Students also assists the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) in matters related to student discipline.
Counseling Unit
The Counselling Unit is under the Directorate of Social Services, under the Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Administration.
This Unit provides integrated guidance and counselling services as well as support to students and staff of the University of Dar es Salaam in various areas such as:
- Psycho-social concerns: e.g., sexual harassment, social abuse, discrimination, stigmatisation, bullying, anger and stress management, anxiety and depression, retirement and retrenchment, marital issues, grief/loss, work and life balance, prevention, special needs, rehabilitation, conflict resolution, sexuality, relationships, and suicide.
- Academic concerns: e.g., academic underperformance, low productivity, absenteeism, professional misconduct, work-related stress, career guidance and counselling.4
- Health-related concerns: e.g., diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, high and low blood pressure, and psychological disorders.
- Economic and Financial concerns, e.g,. Handling of finances, debt, and other economic challenges.
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Outreach
The University of Dar es Salaam offers training and skills development in innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship through the Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (DIEN) and other relevant units based in the Colleges, Schools, and Institutes.
The mission of the Directorate is to promote the development of knowledge, skills, and technologies that address societal problems through innovation.
We aim to produce graduates who are job creators rather than job seekers. Students are encouraged to participate in the activities of this Directorate.
Transport Services
Transport services for students are available at a reasonable price. Students residing at Mabibo Hostels are served by shuttle buses, which are available daily.
The services run from 06:00 to around 22:00 hours during the semester and from 06:00 to 20:00 hours during vacations.
Commuter buses (Daladala) from Mwenge via the University to Ubungo or Changanyikeni are also available.
Worship and Spiritual Counselling Services
Students and staff can access worship and spiritual counselling services at the Mosque for Muslims and the Joint Christian Chapel, both of which are situated near Hall No. 4, along Biafra and Kilimahewa Roads.
Moreover, there is a complete freedom of worship based on one’s spiritual belief, within the limitations of the laws of the country and student by-laws.
Shopping Facilities
The University offers basic shopping facilities at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Mlimani Campus, as well as at Mabibo Hostels.
All facilities have been outsourced to private businesspeople. There is a central Shopping Mall at Mlimani City, which is located within the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Mlimani Campus along Sam Nujoma Road.
It is one of the most comprehensive and one-stop shopping centres in Dar es Salaam and Tanzania with a bookshop, major banks (NMB, NBC, CRDB, EXIM, KCB, etc), a Bureau de Change, Travel Agent, and mobile telephone service providers (TTCL, Vodacom, Halotel, Tigo and Airtel).
Publishing and Bookshop
The University has a bookshop, which the elite bookstore currently operates. It is located at the Mwalimu Nyerere Mlimani Campus near Cafeterias 1 and 2. Students can also buy books from the bookstore at the Mlimani City Shopping Mall.
Stationery, Printing, and Photocopying
The University offers photocopying services at the University Library and the College of Engineering and Technology (CoET), which are available at reasonable prices to UDSM staff and students.
Almost all central academic units and offices have dedicated photocopying facilities for staff members.
Private enterprises offer other printing, photocopying, and stationery services, which are located on campus as well as in the neighbourhood.
Directorate of Library Services
The University Library is the heart of the University’s academic and research endeavours, providing information services to support teaching, learning, research, and innovation.
The Library is operating in two library buildings (i.e. Dr Wibert Chagula and University Library (New) with both academic (20) and administrative staff (119), whereby the former are involved in teaching, research, consultancy services, as well as managerial functions, and the latter are involved in the direct provision of library services.
The Library is a national depository, which collects materials published in Tanzania and houses them in the East Africana Collection.
These materials include books, journals, research reports, and other Government and University publications.
It also includes materials on the former East African Community, the Liberation Movement, and SADC publications.
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How to apply for admission to the UDSM
To apply for admission, prospective students should visit the official University of Dar es Salaam website and access the admissions section.
There, they can find detailed information about the application process, eligibility criteria, required documents, and deadlines.
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Conclusion
The University of Dar Es Salaam has established itself as a premier institution of higher learning in Tanzania.
With its commitment to academic excellence, research, and community engagement, UDSM continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of education in the region.
Its diverse programs, modern facilities, and vibrant campus life offer students a holistic educational experience, preparing them to meet the challenges of the globalised world.
As UDSM looks to the future, it remains committed to fostering innovation, promoting social responsibility, and advancing knowledge.
See you!
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