Deputy Minister urges IFM to turn to competence-based curriculum

Chande threw the challenge over the weekend in Dar es Salaam at the 49th IFM graduation ceremony to confer degree, masters and PhD to students.

He said the institute must embark on training students how to overcome emerging challenges including cyber security.

He commended IFM for introducing cyber security courses to produce graduates who can deal with emerging threats.

 “Changes in technology are inevitable, therefore, as an institute you are obliged to play your role of producing graduates who can bridge the gap,” he said.

Chande said changes in education are inevitable and important, adding there must be strong systems especially in higher education.

 “The government is ready to work out on challenges facing the institute to create a conducive environment for students to learn,” he said, tasking the institute to self-evaluate to know its contribution to the country's development.

IFM Rector, Prof Josephat Lotto said the institute has recorded remarkable success since its inception whereas it has awarded bachelors, master degrees and PhD to 44,060 graduates.

Prof Lotto said the institute has 15,000 students and enrols over 4,000 students every academic year.

Despite recorded successes, the institute faces a shortage of lecture halls and hostels for students, he said, calling upon the government to allow the institute to use nearby buildings to facilitate learning.

He said the introduced cyber security aims to control emerging threats in the technology especially at the moment where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at its peak.

“We have established new campuses in Geita and Mwanza regions; the move is aimed at bringing education services closer to the people,” said Prof Lotto.

Prof Godwin Mjema, IFM Governing Council Chairperson said the institute is now reviewing its curriculum to meet the market demand. He commended the government for its readiness to support training to its lectures and staff.