A CONSORTIUM of five universities signed agreements yesterday to collaborate on education, research and agricultural extension, with a focus on addressing the challenges posed by climate change through comprehensive environmental research and academic exchange initiatives.

Prof. Daniel Mushi, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology deputy permanent secretary, presided at an event where the agreements were formalized in Dar es Salaam, at an inaugural water and population health conference.

In the first joint event of the five-university consortium, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), the Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada and the Aga Khan University (AKU) a global network of higher learning institutions, agreed to work together.

This collaboration aims to combine their expertise to tackle climate change, with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices, water management and public health, he said, noting that the partnership will help address pressing challenges affecting Tanzania and in the broader African environment.

“When universities come together, they can share knowledge and expertise in areas where some may lack sufficient competence or capacity,” he said, commending UDSM in particular for its efforts in fostering local and international collaborations.

Such partnerships are vital in a country like Tanzania where a large proportion of the population relies on agriculture, he said, noting that collaborations are crucial in tackling challenges of food security, climate change and public health.

They are increasingly affecting farmers and communities, he stated, while Prof. William Anangisye, the UDSM vice chancellor, remarked on the multifaceted character of the collaboration.

It will include joint research, institutional development and capacity building, seeking to promote joint research focused on climate change adaptation and vulnerability assessments, he stated.

They will be specifically designed to benefit local communities, he stated, highlighting that the partnership aligns with the UDSM Vision 2061, which includes a strong commitment to internationalization.

“Our vision is to make the University of Dar es Salaam a hub for research, teaching, innovation and knowledge exchange on issues that are critical to the development of our country and region,” he explained.

Zakir Mahmood, the Aga Khan University board chairman, said that the project was conceived last year in Arusha where the institutions first agreed to work together to address the challenges faced by the participating countries.

“We decided to form a consortium to pool funding and expertise to tackle these pressing challenges—water scarcity, climate change and health issues—affecting our countries,” he said.

“We are committed to ensuring this consortium is promoted and grows to become a key driver in addressing the critical issues of water, climate and health,” he added.