China commits 22.4Bil for construction of Kagera Regional Vocational Training Centre

The governments of Tanzania and China have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in which China has committed funds amounting to Tanzanian Shillings 22.4 billion for construction of the Kagera Regional Vocational Training and Service Centre.   

The MoU was signed today, 26 November 2018 between the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Dr. Leonard Akwilapo on behalf of the Tanzania government and Yuan Lin, Chief Representative for Economic and Commercial representation of China to Tanzania on behalf of the government of China. 

The MoU was signed at the MoEST office in Dar es Salaam and was witnessed by officials from both sides of Tanzania and China. Officials from Tanzania who witnessed the event include the Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Noel Mbonde; the Chairman of the Vocational Education and Training Board, Peter Maduki, the Director General of the Vocational Education and Training Authority, Dr. Pancras Bujulu; and Assistant Director of TVET, Enock Kayani.

Speaking during signing of the MoU, Dr. Akwilapo said construction of the centres is expected to be completed in 18 months.

 He said upon completion, the centre will have an enrolment capacity of 400 trainees for long courses and more than 1000 for short courses with hostels which can accommodate 200 male and 120 female trainees.

On his side, Yuan Lin said that the support provided for construction of the centre is a practical demonstration of China’s commitment in supporting Tanzania’s industrialisation move.

The Director General of VETA, Dr. Pancras Bujulu apart from expressing appreciation for the support, he said VETA in collaboration with the government authorities in Kagera has already laid down basic infrastructure, ready for the construction work to start.

He said infrastructural preparations made include improvement of the road to the site, which has been upgraded to gravel level; preparation of a temporary water source for construction activities and necessary facilities for power connection to the site.

He added that while the construction work starts, twenty teachers from VETA are in China for training and sharing experience on running vocational training centres as part of enhancing relationship in provision of vocational education and training.