By Business Insider Reporter, Zanzibar
The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) has made significant strides in advancing higher education, research and innovation over the past 25 years, strengthening its position as an important contributor to academic development in Zanzibar and across Africa.
Zanzibar Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments, Idrissa Kitwana Mustafa, said the university had evolved into a strategic institution supporting the government’s development agenda through knowledge creation, research and the training of skilled professionals.
Speaking during a solidarity walk organised to mark SUZA’s 25th anniversary in the Urban West Region of Unguja, Mr. Kitwana said the institution had expanded access to higher education through increased student enrolment and a wider range of academic programmes.
He described SUZA as an important centre for generating ideas, knowledge and development strategies that support the implementation of Zanzibar’s development plans.
The minister said the university’s contribution extended beyond academic training, noting that its research and innovation activities were increasingly important in addressing development challenges and supporting the country’s socio-economic transformation.
His remarks come as universities face growing pressure to align academic programmes with labour market requirements, technological change and the demand for research-driven solutions to economic challenges.
Institutional unity and inclusion
Mr. Kitwana also emphasised the importance of institutional unity, teamwork and an inclusive working environment, urging SUZA’s leadership to promote cooperation among staff and eliminate all forms of discrimination.
He commended the Vice-Chancellor for his initial leadership efforts, calling for continued collaboration among university officials and employees to strengthen institutional performance and achieve the university’s development objectives.
As part of efforts to promote inclusive education, the minister contributed TSh1 million to SUZA’s Goli la Faraja initiative, which supports students with disabilities.
The initiative seeks to improve access to educational opportunities and provide students with disabilities with the support and conditions necessary to pursue their academic ambitions.
Urban West Regional Commissioner Mohamed Ali Abdalla also pledged support for the initiative, urging stakeholders to work together to ensure that students with special needs receive appropriate assistance.
The commitments highlight the importance of making higher education more inclusive, particularly as institutions seek to widen participation and ensure that students from different backgrounds can benefit from academic opportunities.
Endowment fund to support expansion
Meanwhile, SUZA Vice-Chancellor Prof Said Ali Hamad Vuai identified the university’s Endowment Fund as an important financing mechanism for its future development ambitions.
He said establishing and strengthening the fund would help mobilise resources to finance development projects, including improvements to university infrastructure and the construction of modern facilities for the School of Health.
The proposed fund could provide an additional avenue for financing university development, particularly at a time when higher education institutions are under pressure to diversify their funding sources and reduce dependence on traditional government allocations.
For SUZA, mobilising resources through an endowment fund could help support long-term infrastructure investment, improve the learning environment and strengthen its capacity to deliver specialised academic programmes.
The planned investment in the School of Health is particularly significant given the growing demand for skilled health professionals and the need for modern training facilities to support the development of the healthcare sector.
Prof Vuai thanked government leaders, former and current university officials, staff, students and members of the public who participated in the anniversary walk.
He said the event was designed to strengthen relationships between SUZA’s former and current leadership, employees and other stakeholders while reinforcing a shared commitment to the university’s future.
A quarter-century of academic development
SUZA Deputy Chairman of the University Council, Dr Slim Salum Abdallah, used the occasion to encourage members of the public to embrace regular physical exercise as part of efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.
The solidarity walk started at the Office of the Mufti of Zanzibar in Mazizini and ended at Maisara Grounds in the Urban West Region. It brought together government leaders, university officials, employees, students and other stakeholders.
The 25th anniversary provides an opportunity for SUZA to reflect on its achievements while defining its priorities for the next phase of institutional growth.
Beyond expanding student enrolment and academic programmes, the university’s future competitiveness will increasingly depend on its ability to attract research funding, strengthen industry partnerships, develop modern infrastructure and produce graduates equipped for a changing economy.
The proposed Endowment Fund and investment in health education infrastructure represent part of this broader ambition. As Zanzibar pursues its economic and social development objectives, SUZA’s ability to translate academic knowledge, research and innovation into practical solutions will be an important measure of its contribution to the country’s development and the wider African higher education landscape.
