By The Respondents Reporter
Young people in Zanzibar are expected to gain greater exposure to astronomy, research and emerging technologies following the opening of a space education centre in Tunguu, with President Hussein Mwinyi calling for wider access to science learning beyond traditional classroom teaching.
Dr Mwinyi, who is also Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, made the call on November 14, 2026, when he officially opened the Zanzibar Astronomy and Space Society (ZASS) Space Education Centre and launched the Zanzibar Observatory and Planetarium project in South Unguja Region.
He said the facility should serve as a platform for students to acquire practical scientific knowledge, develop their talents and conduct research that could lead to innovations addressing challenges facing communities.
The President said investment in science, technology and innovation was increasingly important to Zanzibar's development, stressing the need to prepare young people for opportunities in emerging fields.
He directed the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation to work with ZASS to extend space science education to more students.
The directive places responsibility on the two ministries to help turn the new facility into a wider educational resource rather than an initiative benefiting only students who can access it directly.
Dr Mwinyi also proposed establishing a special facility to preserve Zanzibar's history within Nasa's Mercury Project, linking the development of space science with efforts to document and protect the islands' historical heritage.
He accepted to become patron of ZASS, acknowledging the organisation's contribution to promoting astronomy and space education in the country.
ZASS executive director Amina Ahmad said the project would strengthen Zanzibar's participation in space science and technology through an observatory, a digital planetarium and various educational programmes.
The facilities are expected to provide students and the wider public with opportunities to learn about astronomy through observation, digital presentations and practical educational activities.
During the event, Dr Mwinyi visited exhibition stands featuring students from different schools, where he viewed their innovations in science and technology before cutting the ribbon to officially open the centre.
The project comes amid growing recognition of the importance of science, technology, engineering and innovation in preparing young people for a changing economy.
However, its wider educational impact will depend on how effectively schools are connected to the facility, the availability of learning programmes and the number of students who can access its resources.
For Zanzibar, the challenge will be to translate the new investment into practical scientific skills, research opportunities and innovations that can contribute to local development.