President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for a transformation of education systems to ensure that graduates are equipped not only with academic qualifications, but also with discipline, patriotism, creativity and the ability to compete in a fast-changing global economy.
The Head of State made the remarks in Moscow after being conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), in recognition of her contribution to education development, international cooperation and strengthening friendship between nations.
President Samia said the recognition reflects the role of education in driving social and economic transformation, as well as the long-standing partnership between Tanzania and Russia, which has supported the training of professionals over many decades.
She emphasized that higher learning institutions must prepare young people for a world increasingly shaped by knowledge, science and technology, rather than certificates alone. She urged universities to focus on building graduates who are adaptable, innovative and capable of working across borders and cultures.
“In a rapidly changing world, our responsibility is to prepare young people with the knowledge, skills, and capacity to lead in the knowledge economy,” she said.
President Samia added that Tanzania has placed education, science, technology and innovation at the centre of its long-term development agenda under Vision 2050, noting that investment in these areas is key to building a competitive and inclusive economy.
She also highlighted the Samia Scholarship Programme, launched in 2023, which has supported more than 5,000 students.
The programme targets priority fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, engineering, medicine, oil and gas, and environmental technologies, aimed at equipping Tanzanians with skills required in emerging global industries.
At the ceremony, the President of RUDN University, Professor Vladimir Mikhaylovich Filippov, said the Honorary Doctorate is reserved for leaders who have made outstanding contributions to international cooperation, peace and friendship among nations.
He said the decision to honour President Samia was unanimous and reflected her role in strengthening Tanzania–Russia relations and expanding educational cooperation between the two countries.
The Rector of the university, Professor Oleg Yastrebov, said Tanzania remains an important partner of the institution, noting that Tanzanian students have been studying at RUDN since 1960 and continue to contribute to its diverse academic community.
He added that cooperation between RUDN and Tanzanian institutions is now expanding into joint research and new academic programmes aimed at strengthening innovation and technical skills development.
On the sidelines of the event, Tanzania and Russia signed three agreements on higher education cooperation, as well as two joint degree programmes between the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) and RUDN University.
The programmes will focus on Data Science, Aerospace Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Official records show that more than 1,100 Tanzanians have graduated from RUDN University over the years, making Tanzania one of the leading African countries in alumni numbers after Nigeria. Currently, 72 Tanzanian students are studying at the institution.
RUDN University, founded in 1960, hosts more than 46,000 students from over 160 countries and offers more than 800 academic programmes, making it one of the most internationally diverse universities in the world.
The university has previously awarded honorary doctorates to several African leaders, including Sam Nujoma of Namibia, José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Alpha Condé of Guinea and Hery Rajaonarimampianina of Madagascar.
The ceremony was described as a milestone in Tanzania–Russia relations, reinforcing decades of academic cooperation while opening new opportunities for skills development, research and innovation to support Tanzania’s long-term development goals.
