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Government commends students' innovation at science fair

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 11:47 GMT by The Citizen
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Government Praises Young Innovators at National Science Fair – A Leap Toward Tanzania’s Knowledge Economy

On a bright, humid afternoon last week, the National Science and Technology Innovation Fair (NSTIF) drew crowds of parents, teachers, and policy makers to the newly renovated halls of the University of Dar es Salaam’s School of Engineering. The event, which ran from July 18th to 20th, showcased more than 300 student projects from primary schools, secondary schools, and tertiary institutions across the country. In a spirited press conference held on the 20th, the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Prof. M. K. Juma, publicly lauded the creativity, perseverance, and ingenuity of Tanzania’s youth, signalling the government’s renewed commitment to nurturing a knowledge-based economy.

A Fair That Celebrates Innovation

The NSTIF, organized jointly by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST), and the Tanzania Science Forum, was designed to encourage hands‑on learning and real‑world problem solving. According to the official event page, the fair’s theme – “Innovate for a Sustainable Tomorrow” – sought to align student projects with national priorities such as climate resilience, digital transformation, and inclusive development. The event featured three main exhibition halls: “Energy & Environment”, “Health & Well‑being”, and “Digital & Agricultural Technologies”.

Among the most talked‑about entries were a solar‑powered irrigation system developed by a team from St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Arusha, a low‑cost water‑purification filter using locally sourced clay that could be mass‑produced for rural households, and a mobile application created by the University of Dodoma’s Computer Science department that tracks malaria outbreaks in real time. A particularly striking project was a “Smart Waste‑to‑Energy” prototype, which turned municipal garbage into biogas for powering community street lights, developed by a team from the Mbeya Institute of Science and Technology.

Recognition From the Highest Ranks

In the minutes following the closing ceremony, Minister Juma addressed the gathered audience. “Today, I witnessed the bright minds of our children turning challenges into opportunities,” he said. “These innovations are not just projects; they are stepping stones toward a self‑sufficient, science‑driven Tanzania.” He went on to note that several projects would be fast‑tracked into pilot programmes by MoEST, in partnership with the Tanzania Investment Center, to test their viability in real‑world settings.

The Minister also acknowledged the role of teachers and parents in fostering a supportive environment. “Our educators are the catalysts of curiosity. It is their dedication that fuels these brilliant ideas,” he added. A special mention was made of the “National Young Innovators Award” that will be presented to the top five projects across all categories, with winners receiving seed funding and mentorship from industry experts.

Policy Context and Forward‑Looking Commitments

The fair’s significance extends beyond the accolades. It reflects MoEST’s broader strategy to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into national development plans. In a policy brief linked to the event’s webpage, MoEST emphasized the “Science and Technology Innovation Strategy 2025‑2030”, which calls for increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) share in science‑based industries to 12% by 2030. The ministry’s brief also highlights the importance of bridging the gap between research and commercialization – a gap that the NSTIF projects are designed to narrow.

Furthermore, the event coincided with the launch of the “Youth Innovation Fund” – a government‑backed initiative offering grants ranging from USD 2,000 to USD 10,000 for promising student prototypes. The fund will be managed by the NIST and will include a mentorship component, connecting young innovators with established entrepreneurs and research institutions.

Community Engagement and Media Coverage

The fair attracted widespread media coverage, with local radio stations, television networks, and online portals broadcasting live footage of the exhibits. The Citizen’s own coverage provided in‑depth interviews with some of the participants, revealing their motivations and aspirations. A standout interview with 16‑year‑old Ruwenzori High School’s science club captain, Daniel Mwangi, captured the youthful enthusiasm: “When I first built my prototype, I realized that science isn’t just about textbooks – it’s about making a tangible difference in our communities.”

In addition to the core exhibition, a series of workshops and panel discussions ran parallel to the main event. These included sessions on intellectual property rights, startup funding, and international collaboration. One particularly popular workshop was “From Idea to Market” – a crash course on product development that attracted over 200 attendees.

A Call to Action for All Stakeholders

The government’s commendation of student innovators carries an implicit call to action for teachers, parents, private sector partners, and academia. “We want to create a conducive ecosystem where ideas flourish,” Minister Juma remarked. “That means investing in laboratories, providing training for teachers, and encouraging private companies to act as mentors and investors.”

The Minister also urged the public to support local youth science clubs, to volunteer as mentors, and to help secure funding for high‑potential projects. He ended the press conference by announcing that the next NSTIF will be held in 2025, with an expanded scope and increased financial incentives.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles on the NSTIF, the bright sparks of innovation are already taking root. Several projects have already entered the pilot phase, with local government units in Arusha and Mbeya setting up test sites for the solar‑irrigation system and the biogas converter, respectively. Meanwhile, the “Youth Innovation Fund” is now open for applications, with a target to support at least 50 projects across the country.

The event also set a benchmark for future science fairs in Tanzania. By combining rigorous technical evaluation with practical pathways to commercialization, the NSTIF exemplifies how the government can harness youthful ingenuity to drive national development. As the Minister of Education, Science and Technology put it, “These students are the future, and their ideas are the engines that will drive our nation forward.”

In the weeks ahead, the Ministry will release a detailed report on the fair’s outcomes, including a catalogue of the winning projects and a roadmap for scaling them. Until then, the message remains clear: Tanzania’s next generation of innovators is ready to lead, and the government is ready to support them.