KLU Summer School in Dar es Salaam

In total 30 students from the three universities, including eight from KLU, attended the summer school in Tanzania, which featured a series of lectures and practical learning tasks.

“The learning environment was highly conducive, with interactive and engaging teaching methods that enhanced my understanding of complex sustainability topics,” said Witness Shija, who’s doing a Master of Business Research at the University of Nairobi, and took part in the summer school. “I particularly appreciated the practical learning experiences, such as our visit to Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO), where we learned how energy is produced and managed sustainably in Zanzibar.”

Making lasting connections

There were also excursions to sites of cultural and historical significance in Tanzania, including Stone Town and its former slave market on the island of Zanzibar and the Dar es Salaam Museum, providing students not only an understanding of local context, but with the chance to get to know each other, share ideas, and socialize.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of the summer school was the opportunity to network with fellow participants from the different universities,” said Shija. “Engaging with students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds helped broaden my perspective and sparked insightful discussions.”

Organized by The Africa Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Operations for Resource Management and Food Supply (SCO), a collaborative initiative of the KLU, UoN, UDSM and Kühne Foundation, with financial support from German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the summer school featured lecturers from all three tertiary institutions.

These included Dr. Eric Mkwizu and Prof. Ulingeta Obadia Mbamba, lecturers in finance and general management, respectively, at the UDSM; Prof. Waithaka N Iraki from the UoN’s Department of Management Science and Project Planning; and Günter Lang, Associate Professor for Applied Economics at the KLU.

Broadening horizons

“Participating in summer schools abroad increases curiosity and creativity, allowing us to break out from our conventional ways of thinking,” noted Prof. Lang at the end of the week. “Our summer school in Dar Es Salaam was an excellent example for combining academic work with a touch of freedom and relaxation. I am proud that the KLU provides our students such experiences.”

Master’s student Shija, meanwhile, said the knowledge she gained at the summer school would be of great value to her future career.

“I gained a deeper understanding of how different countries - Kenya, Tanzania, and Germany - utilize and manage energy sources, about the entrepreneurship opportunities that are there in the energy sector and learned about their environmental marketing and measurement techniques. Additionally, how sustainability starts at an individual level, something I aim to practice and promote in my community and career for the aim of enhancing sustainability.”

Real-world understanding

Asked if she would recommend participating in such a summer school to fellow students, Shija replied: “I would highly recommend it because the summer school offers a unique combination of academic learning, cultural exchange, and practical exposure, which is not only enriching but also builds both personal and professional capacities. The program encourages critical thinking, cross-border collaboration, and a real-world understanding of sustainability challenges, making it a valuable experience for anyone passionate about making a positive impact.”