CSC Alumni Tanzania
A welcome home reception and workshop for recently returned Commonwealth Scholars in Tanzania was held on the 29 February 2020 by the British Council Tanzania. The event provided an opportunity for Scholars to reconnect with their peers, network and identify potential partnerships, and engage with the CSC alumni community in Tanzania. The event focused on guidance and discussions around securing relevant employment, pathways to enable professional growth, and career development.
Speaking at the event, Ms Rozalia, representing the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, urged alumni to provide support and mentorship to recently returned Scholars, while also guiding potential future applicants to apply for Commonwealth Scholarship opportunities. She put forth that as a result of their Commonwealth Scholarship, recently returned Scholars are in a strong position to contribute to Tanzania’s sustainable development and the wider Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Following the opening speech, Mr Al-Junaid Hasham, CEO and Head Consultant at Genius Consultancy, delivered a presentation on the realities of life post-Scholarship, touching on career prospects, industry trends, and highlighted the importance of tailoring their resumes to the jobs they were applying for. He talked about how the labour market is changing and the increasing need for alumni to develop their roles in the workplace.
A panel discussion led by four Commonwealth Alumni followed the formal presentation. Panellists included:
- Lightness Salema, Lead International Ambassador – Tanzania, Xanopia Women’s Business Group (2004 Distance Learning Scholar, PG Diploma Facilities Management, Leeds Beckett University)
- Dr Maulid Maulid, Director of Links and International Affairs, Open University of Tanzania (2013 Scholar, PhD Management, University of York)
- Linda Kakuru, Assistant Lecturer/Architect, UDSM- College of Engineering and Technology (2018 Scholar, MArch Sustainable Urban Design, University of Nottingham)
- Gilead Teri, Program Lead- Tanzania Investment Climate, World Bank Group (2012 Shared Scholar, MSc Africa and International Development, University of Edinburgh)
CSC Alumni panellists
As part of the panel discussion, alumni shared their post-Scholarship experience and gave advice to recently returned Scholars on how to achieve career development in Tanzania. Lightness encouraged attendees not to ‘be scared to start with humble beginnings. Through hard work and perseverance, you will quickly move up the ladder’.
The event ended with a networking buffet which offered an opportunity for recently returned Scholars and alumni to learn more about each other’s current work, share expertise, and identify ways they can mentor and support each other, as well as potential future Scholars. During the networking sessions, a team from the Empower Recruitment, Training and Consultancy Company set up a booth where attendees could sign up for recruitment services and further support.
You can view photos from the event on CSC Flickr.
