UDSM Launches Major Curriculum Revision to Boost Graduate Employability

Dar es Salaam – The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has embarked on a comprehensive curriculum revision process aimed at enhancing the international employability and global competitiveness of its graduates.

The initiative is being rolled out through a two-day capacity-building training for academic staff at the Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha, Pwani Region, focusing on strengthening curriculum design and review in line with global academic and labour market demands.

Dr Theresia Dominic of UDSM said the sessions are designed to equip lecturers with practical skills and global perspectives needed to modernize university programmes.

"The training focuses on strengthening academic curricula so that our graduates are not only relevant locally, but can also compete internationally," Dr Dominic stated.

The workshop is being facilitated by Prof Habib Mahama, Head of the School of Business at Qatar University, who serves as a project specialist under the initiative. Prof Mahama is guiding UDSM lecturers on best practices in curriculum review, alignment with industry needs, and benchmarking with globally competitive universities.

"Curriculum reforms should begin at the university level and gradually cascade to lower levels of education," Dr Dominic noted, adding that aligning UDSM programmes with international standards would help ensure graduates are better prepared for both regional and global labour markets.

Prof Omar Mbura, Head of the UDSM School of Business, said the training draws from the experience of top-ranked business schools globally.

"This training focuses on best practices adopted by leading universities, particularly in curriculum review and the development of sustainable academic strategies that respond to changing global trends," Prof Mbura explained.

He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond revising course content to rethinking teaching approaches that ensure programmes remain relevant to modern economies.

"These curriculum reforms will help position the University of Dar es Salaam among leading universities worldwide," he added.

Project Coordinator Dr Mesia Ilomo, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Education and Finance at UDSM, said the initiative is part of a broader effort to build capacity within African schools of business.

The project focuses on strengthening academic expertise, improving market responsiveness, sharpening strategic direction and enabling universities to produce graduates who can compete effectively in an increasingly globalized job market.

"Our aim is to ensure African universities are not left behind in global academic and labour market developments," Dr Ilomo said.

The training comes amid growing pressure on higher learning institutions in Tanzania to regularly review curricula and ensure graduates possess skills that meet employer expectations both locally and internationally.