UP to 100 selected students will undergo a 10-month preparatory training stint at the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology in Arusha before heading overseas for undergraduate studies.

Prof. Adolf Mkenda, the Education, Science and Technology minister,  said during debate on the ministry’s 2025/26 estimates yesterday that the government is setting out new opportunities for A-Level science students graduating this year.

The students will be taught patriotism, ethics, culture and digital literacy to prepare them for academic pursuits abroad, he said, noting that 5bn/- has been allocated for the purpose and could be increased.

News scholarship opportunities relate to studies in data science and artificial intelligence, as the government stressed the importance of preparing the youth for future demands.

“They will study AI and data science to help Tanzania prepare for the future,” he said, affirming plans to collaborate with Tanzanians abroad and partner universities to expand scholarship access.

This is especially so for students from underprivileged backgrounds, he said, expressing the wish to ensure that rural students access the rare opportunities, and not just those from international schools.

The minister criticized underutilization of foreign scholarships, citing Saudi Arabia as an example, vowing that the government would now target such scholarships for specific academic fields.

Extended Samia scholarships are supported by banks for students not covered under the main programme but pursuing science-related studies, he said, asserting that technical schools must be well-equipped and credible to meet industry demands.

“We’ve visited countries where reforms failed due to poor implementation. We must avoid that,” he stated, elaborating that the ministry is sourcing modern training equipment from India, China, Germany, South Korea and Switzerland.

Foreign trainers may be brought in temporarily to address local trainer shortages, he said, noting that 80 masters’ students are also being funded through a partnership between the Higher Education Students Loans Board (HESLB) and the Nelson Mandela Institute.

Meanwhile, five students will pursue postgraduate degrees abroad in nuclear science to address staffing gaps at the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, he said.

Omar Kipanga, the deputy minister, said the construction of 64 VETA colleges is ongoing, with 72bn/- out of the budgeted 100bn/- released so far, and 45 percent of the work completed.

A total of 2.5bn/- has been allocated in the current estimates for VETA training equipment, while education quality controllers have been promoted. They are now under a new structure with improved remuneration, he added.