Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamad Hassan Chande (MP), has urged graduates of the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM)–Mweka to uphold integrity, patriotism and humility as they take up responsibilities in serving the public and safeguarding Tanzania’s wildlife resources, saying their professionalism will be decisive in strengthening the country’s tourism-led growth.
Addressing the 61st graduation ceremony held in Kilimanjaro Region, Chande stressed that academic certificates alone are insufficient without disciplined application of knowledge and skills in the field. He called on the graduates to translate their training into practical solutions that respond to the needs of communities living alongside wildlife.
“Certificates on their own are not enough. What matters is how you implement what you have learned. Go and demonstrate it through action wherever you are assigned, because a certificate is just paper, but the knowledge you have gained on how to coexist with communities, the nation and natural resources is what truly counts,” he said.
The Deputy Minister underlined the importance of wildlife professionals in helping communities address persistent challenges, particularly conflicts between humans and dangerous or destructive wild animals, noting that effective conservation must go hand in hand with community welfare.
In line with the Sixth Phase Government’s development agenda under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Chande also called on CAWM–Mweka to broaden its academic offerings by introducing more short courses, including tour guiding, customer care and driving.
He said such programmes would expand opportunities for young people immediately after completing primary and secondary education, while strengthening the human resource base of the tourism sector.
He noted that well-trained tour guides and frontline tourism workers play a central role in shaping visitors’ experiences and promoting repeat visits.
“When our young people guide tourists, they must do so professionally, explain our attractions clearly and contribute to the security of our tourist sites and the country. This is how we can accelerate tourist arrivals and increase national revenue,” he said.
Earlier, the Principal of CAWM–Mweka, Prof. Julius Nyahongo, said student enrolment for the 2024/2025 academic year had increased by 10 percent compared to the previous year, reflecting the government’s broader strategy to expand access to higher education for Tanzanian youth as well as students from across Africa and beyond.
On development and infrastructure, the Chairperson of the College Governing Board, Prof. Yunus Mgaya, said the board had approved a TZS16.3 billion budget to support operations and priority development projects aimed at improving training and research.
The projects include construction of a kitchen, toilets and classrooms at the Loliondo training area in Arusha Region, as well as a library, student hostels and the purchase of four heavy-duty vehicles to strengthen practical field training.
A total of 649 students graduated at different academic levels, including Master’s degrees in Tourism Management, Leadership in Conservation, and Ecology and Conservation in Africa, the latter offered through a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom and the College of African Wildlife Management–Mweka.