By Business Insider Reporter, Zanzibar
President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has underscored the pivotal role of higher learning institutions in strengthening the education sector and producing a skilled, professional workforce capable of driving national development.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 23rd graduation ceremony of the Zanzibar University (ZU) held at the university’s Tunguu campus, President Mwinyi said universities remain central to building human capital with the knowledge, expertise and values required for sustainable economic and social progress.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for education, aimed at expanding access so that more young people can acquire skills, professionalism, patriotism and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to the country’s growth agenda.
Outlining the government’s policy direction, President Mwinyi said that under the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) manifesto for 2025–2030, the government has set out clear strategies to widen access to higher education. These include extending student loan schemes to cover diploma-level studies, a move expected to ease financial barriers and boost enrolment, particularly among students from low- and middle-income families.
He added that the government will continue to support universities across the country in training specialists in priority sectors such as health, education, science and engineering. According to the President, strengthening these fields is essential for improving public service delivery, enhancing productivity and accelerating Zanzibar’s and Tanzania’s overall development.
President Mwinyi commended the leadership of Zanzibar University for its sustained efforts to improve academic infrastructure, upgrade teaching and learning facilities and introduce new academic programmes at doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and diploma levels. He noted that these investments are helping to align the university’s offerings with labour market needs and emerging development priorities.
In his address to the graduates, the President urged them to use the education and knowledge they have acquired to solve family and community challenges, uphold ethical values and discipline, and pursue their personal and professional ambitions with integrity. He emphasised that graduates carry a responsibility not only to themselves but also to society and the nation at large. The ceremony saw a total of 1,146 students awarded qualifications, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees, diplomas and certificates, for the 2024 and 2025 academic years. The growing number of graduates, President Mwinyi noted, reflects Zanzibar’s steady progress in expanding higher education and investing in a skilled workforce to support long-term development goals.
