ALAF Limited Offers Swahili Mastery Scholarships for UDSM Students

ALAF Limited Continues Support for Swahili Master’s Students at UDSM

In a significant move to support higher education in Tanzania, ALAF Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). This partnership, which has flourished for six years, continues to make a substantial impact on the development of Swahili language education. The company has announced that it will provide scholarships for students pursuing a Master’s degree in Swahili at UDSM, further advancing the academic excellence of Tanzanian students.

A Strong Commitment to Swahili Language Education

The announcement was made during a scholarship handover ceremony attended by UDSM leaders, ALAF Limited officials, students, and other stakeholders. Professor Rose Upor, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at UDSM, represented the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor Bonaventure Rutinwa, and praised ALAF for its continuous support of Swahili education.

“This program has brought positive outcomes and supports the efforts of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to honor and preserve our culture, which is closely tied to the Swahili language,” said Prof. Upor.

ALAF’s Ongoing Commitment to Education

Hawa Bayumi, ALAF Limited’s Manager for Public Relations and Communications, expressed the company’s dedication to continuing its support for Swahili language students in the years ahead. She emphasized that ALAF, which has been part of Tanzania’s history since its establishment in 1960, remains committed to investing in education as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“ALAF is a part of this country’s history, and we will continue to be a part of the community by investing in education. We congratulate the students who have benefited from this scholarship for their hard work and thank UDSM for the long-standing partnership,” said Bayumi.

The Impact of the Scholarship Program

Dr. David Koloseni, representing the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Donatha Tibuhwa, highlighted the significant contribution of the ALAF scholarship program to the development of Swahili writing and research.

“This scholarship has been instrumental in advancing the study of Swahili. The beneficiaries are not only educators but also ambassadors of the language. It is wonderful to hear fluent Swahili spoken by them,” said Dr. Koloseni.

A Call to Scholarship Recipients

Professor Shani Omari Mchepange, Director of the Swahili Language Institute at UDSM, urged the scholarship recipients to work diligently and set a high academic standard for their peers.

“We have great expectations that you will be ambassadors of Swahili and exemplars of academic excellence,” emphasized Prof. Mchepange.

A Legacy of Success

Since the inception of this scholarship program in 2019, a total of 18 students have benefited from the support, with some securing permanent positions in educational institutions such as UDSM, Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), Mzumbe University, and the Open University of Tanzania.

One of the early beneficiaries, Asha Silayo, shared her gratitude, stating that the ALAF scholarship greatly assisted her in completing her studies and securing a permanent job in the education sector. “It’s an unforgettable opportunity,” she said.

Fredrick Venance, a new recipient of the scholarship, expressed his pride in being part of such a significant initiative. “I am proud to be part of this great project. I will ensure that I study hard and set an example of using Swahili accurately while fulfilling my dreams of furthering my education,” he said.

A Strong Partnership for the Future

The collaboration between UDSM and ALAF is a vital example of how the private sector and educational institutions can work together to improve academic standards, particularly in the field of Swahili language studies.

Stakeholders have called for an increase in the number of beneficiaries each year and for the success of future educational projects. This partnership not only strengthens the relationship between the private sector and academia but also contributes significantly to the development of Tanzania’s educational landscape.

As ALAF continues to support Swahili language education, the company’s investment in the future of Tanzanian students ensures that the next generation of Swahili educators and ambassadors will be equipped to make a lasting impact on the language and culture.

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