TITLE:
Towards Semi-Industrialized Economy in Tanzania: The Higher Learning Institutions-Industry Linkage
AUTHORS:
Yustin Bangi
KEYWORDS:
Higher Learning Institutions, HLIs-Industry Linkage, Semi-Industrial Economy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.7 No.12,
December
31,
2020
ABSTRACT: The linkage between academia and the industry is increasingly becoming an essential component of national economic development. Industries depend much on their workforce from Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) for both innovation and technological development. On the other hand, strong linkage scales down unemployment risk. As a result, this study assessed the existing linkage between HLIs and industry and its contribution towards semi- industrialized economy. The study involved two Universities, three non-university institutions and five local industries in Dar es Salaam and Coastal regions. Data were collected through interviews and desktop survey from the selected institutions’ databases. Five (5) research directors, ten (10) faculty deans from HLIs, and five officials (5) from five industries were purposively selected and interviewed. The collected data were then thematically analyzed. Findings from the study suggest that the linkage in terms of training output is moderate. Knowledge is mainly transferred from HLIs to industries through field placement and employment opportunities of the trained workforce. Likewise, research and consultancy services linkage are still very low compared to the training and consultancy functions. It is further revealed that low motivation to academicians, lack of trust among industry owners towards HLIs, and meager budgets for research and consultancies are some of the factors that hinder the desired linkage. Conclusively, there exists a weak linkage between HLIs and industries in Tanzania. It is, therefore, suggested that the government should be involved, and should legitimize the collaboration. The objective is to smoothen the road towards the industrial economy. Engagement of the parties at all levels is required by raising awareness and participation.