Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) to immediately launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign within seven days to educate students on how to properly fill out online loan application forms.
The directive comes amid growing concerns that many qualified students are missing out on higher education loans due to avoidable errors made during the application process.
Speaking on June 19 during the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM), where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Majaliwa said the board must proactively reach out to students instead of waiting for individual complaints.
"I am giving you one week no more to conduct a comprehensive awareness campaign. Ensure students understand when and how to apply for loans, because every year we witness qualified students being denied simply due to errors in their applications,” Majaliwa said.
He insisted that there is no justification for a qualified Tanzanian student to miss out on a loan, saying the government has put in place clear guidelines to ensure equitable access.
“The loan system exists to support students from low-income families. It is unacceptable for any deserving student to be denied education due to financial constraints,” he stressed.
During the event, the Prime Minister also launched the MUM Community Fund, an institutional initiative aimed at supporting underprivileged students and driving campus development. He personally contributed TSh10 million, while President Samia, in a message read on her behalf, pledged TSh100 million.
Majaliwa challenged higher learning institutions to prioritise research that directly addresses societal challenges and provides data-driven solutions for policy makers.
“I urge the Ministry of Education to strengthen collaboration with universities across the country to ensure the delivery of quality education. Institutions must also instil strong values of ethics and responsibility in students, just as MUM has demonstrated,” he added.
The Muslim University of Morogoro was founded in 2005 following a landmark decision by former President Benjamin Mkapa to hand over former TANESCO training facilities to the Muslim community for the establishment of a higher learning institution.
From its humble beginning with just 160 students, MUM has grown to accommodate more than 5,000 students, contributing significantly to the country’s human capital development.
Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Omar Kipanga, said the university has expanded from offering only two programmes at its inception to over 32 academic offerings today, producing more than 15,000 graduates over the past two decades.
“These graduates are highly respected in the public and private sectors for their professionalism and strong ethical standards,” Kipanga said.
He added that MUM has aligned itself with the National Development Vision 2050 and the new education policy direction that focuses on equipping graduates with practical skills, knowledge and competencies to compete globally and thrive in the job market.
Dr Ramadhani Dau, Acting Chairperson of the Muslim Development Fund (MDF), expressed appreciation to the late President Mkapa for his visionary leadership that enabled the establishment of the university.
Mufti and Chief Sheikh of Tanzania, Dr Abubakar Zubeir bin Ali, echoed a call to all Muslims and Tanzanians at large to rally behind the university’s mission and growth.
“There is no Islam without education. When Islam came, it waged war against ignorance. Let us unite and support this university, because it plays a critical role in shaping the future of our nation,” said the Mufti.
MUM Vice Chancellor Prof Mussa Assad underscored the urgent need to address accommodation challenges, especially for female students.
“As enrolment increases, so do challenges. One of our biggest concerns is the lack of hostels for female students. Our goal is to ensure all of them live safely within the university premises,” he said.