Relocate your main campus to Dodoma, RC advises IFM

Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Rosemary Senyamule made the remarks here at the weekend, saying such a move would offer residents in the region and other neighbouring regions more opportunities to access higher education.

Speaking while presiding over IFM’s 49th graduation ceremony at the Dodoma Campus, the RC observed that it is one of the higher learning institutions that have set inroads in the capital city.

During the event, some 121 graduates were awarded ordinary certificates, diplomas and master’s degree.    

Senyamule applauded IFM, terming it one of such higher learning that has produced many public servants and private sector players.

According to the RC, in its regional development plan, Dodoma is to have 29 higher learning institutions from the current 11 institutions, adding that once Dodoma campus is complete, IFM will help in boosting regional and national economy.

“Economy of any given country depend on financial experts it has, thus IFM is helping the government by training financial specialists” she said, adding that regional authority is ready to work closely with the institutions in fulfilling the dream to move to Dodoma city.

Earlier, the chairperson, Governing Council of IFM, Emmanuel Mjema said the institution looks forward to expansion in other areas including Dodoma where it has acquired vast land.

He said the plan is to have a modern facility that equate the capital city status and bring training closer to some public and private sector servants who find it hard to study far away from work.

He thanked the government for the efforts to improve provision of higher education in the country. “We have received a lot from the government through HEET programme and other sources it has initiated” said Mjema.

For his part, IFM Rector, Prof Josephat Lotto noted that the institution has grown tremendously having a total of 15,000 in its campuses across the country from 72 at its inception in 1972.

This, he attributed to increase of courses from two in 1972 to 32 courses in 2022/23. This also saw the increasing number of branches from one in 1972 to three in 2022/23 and currently building fourth campus in Geita.

He said in effort to get international experience, IFM is in collaboration with other colleges outside the country  including 12 universities in Asia, Europe, Germany, UK, Holland, South Africa and Rwanda.

However, he cited some challenges facing the institution in the quest to expand further as including shortage of staff at all levels, high costs of renting campus services, lack of hostels for students .

“Despite the challenges, IFM is committed to set a side budget for the fulfilling its mandate and the council is working closely with the management to realize the goals,” he said.