COSTECH in Partnership with US Embassy Dar es Salaam award winners of the Powering Africa Research Paper Competition

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