IN a significant move to propel Tanzania into the digital age and foster technological advancement, the University of Dodoma (UDOM) has signed a strategic agreement with the National ICT Commission to establish a digital innovation hub on its main campus. This project is a cornerstone of UDOM's broader ambition to become a leading center of excellence in information and communication technology (ICT) both nationally and regionally.

The announcement was made by UDOM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lugano Kusiluka, during a welcoming ceremony held in honour of the university’s student team that recently represented Tanzania in the prestigious 2025 Huawei ICT Competition in Shenzhen, China – a city widely recognised as a global hub for technological innovation.

Prof. Kusiluka revealed that construction for the digital innovation hub has already commenced and the facility is expected to be completed within the next six months. He emphasised that the hub will play a vital role in fostering innovation, research, and entrepreneurial development among Tanzanian youth, effectively bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world digital solutions.

“This partnership marks a milestone in our efforts to position UDOM as a center of excellence in ICT. The facility will be key to nurturing innovation, research, and enterprise development among young Tanzanians,” he stated.

Further bolstering UDOM’s technological capabilities, Professor Kusiluka also announced that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has pledged full support to strengthen the university’s cybersecurity laboratory. This lab is crucial for training students in digital security, an increasingly vital field in the modern technological landscape.

He revealed that UDOM recently launched a specialised one-year cybersecurity training programme designed to equip students with technical skills in identifying, preventing, and managing cyber threats. This programme leads to an internationally recognised certification and is sponsored by the Africa Programme for Cyber Technology, an organisation based in the United States.

“This programme is a first of its kind in Central and sub-Saharan Africa. Those who complete it will be qualified to work anywhere in the world. It’s a major achievement, and we are proud to be the pioneers,” he added.

Professor Kusiluka also extended congratulations to the UDOM students and their counterparts from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) and the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) for their outstanding performance at the 2025 Huawei ICT Competition.

 The Tanzanian team collectively secured both grand prize and runner-up awards, showcasing the growing strength of the country’s ICT education and talent on a global platform.

“This is a great honor for the nation and the university. It puts UDOM and Tanzania on the global digital map,” said the Vice Chancellor, noting UDOM’s consistent ranking among top institutions in local and international ICT competitions.

Dr. Florence Rashid, acting Principal of UDOM’s College of Informatics and Virtual Education, highlighted the impressive scale of the Huawei ICT Competition. This year’s event attracted over 960,000 students from more than 2,000 universities and colleges across 100 countries. Of these, only 48 countries advanced to the global finals, represented by 179 elite teams.

“This year, our academy made an outstanding performance — we were the leading academy from the preliminary stages all the way to the global finals,” Dr. Rashid proudly stated.

The Huawei ICT Competition is recognised as one of the largest global platforms for nurturing ICT talent, offering university students an invaluable opportunity to showcase their skills in networking, cloud computing, and emerging technologies. UDOM’s consistent participation and recent success underscore its growing influence and capacity in shaping Tanzania’s digital future.

 With the planned innovation hub, the pioneering cybersecurity program, and continued global recognition, UDOM is solidifying its role as a key hub for technology, innovation, and high-quality ICT education in Africa.