Aga Khan University empowers students to combat climate change

Dar es Salaam.  As the impacts of climate change continue to threaten communities globally, the Aga Khan University (AKU) is taking a bold step to ensure that future generations are equipped to tackle this crisis from the grassroots level.

Through its climate change exhibition on January 29, 2025, AKU is fostering an educational approach emphasising practical solutions, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address environmental challenges.

AKU’s Associate Vice Provost in Tanzania, Prof Eunice Pallangyo, highlighted the university's commitment to equipping students with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of climate change.

“We are transitioning the way we teach, encouraging more critical thinking and reasoning,” she said.

 “Today’s event is designed to prompt students to think critically about the challenges of climate change and contribute their solutions.”

The exhibition brought together experts from various universities, demonstrating a holistic approach to tackling climate change. In addition, students from primary and secondary schools participated, showcasing innovative ideas for mitigating environmental threats.

According to Prof Pallangyo, such initiatives are crucial in nurturing young minds and making them active participants in global climate action.

AKU's initiative aligns with global trends in climate education, where universities are playing a central role in influencing policy and grassroots action.

An expert from the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof Pius Yanda, who served as the guest of honor at the event, underscored the importance of engaging young people in climate discussions.

“Engaging youths who are adept with technology allows them to communicate and share the knowledge they acquire through initiatives like this,” he said.

“I was very impressed by the exhibitions presented here. You could see that the students are full of ideas on how to navigate these problems.”

Tanzania is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, experiencing prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures that affect agriculture, water availability, and health.

According to the World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal, the country is already experiencing more frequent and severe weather events, which have far-reaching economic and social impacts.

Prof Yanda emphasised that solutions should come from local communities, as they are the most affected.

“Local communities are already grappling with the effects of climate change and coming up with their solutions. Policymakers should learn from them and scale up these grassroots innovations,” he suggested.

Experts from the health sector have also highlighted the intersection between climate change and public health, warning that worsening environmental conditions pose a significant threat to human well-being.

Prof Paschal Ruggajo, a nephrologist at AKU, stressed that climate change is exacerbating health challenges in Tanzania, particularly within vulnerable communities.

“Increased temperatures and extreme weather events contribute to the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria and cholera,” he explained.

 “We are also seeing a rise in respiratory diseases due to air pollution, worsened by climate-induced factors like wildfires and deforestation.”

“Training young people in climate action is crucial. They will be the policymakers and implementers of government strategies in the future. The more they understand climate change, the better equipped they will be to develop policies that protect public health.”

The role of universities in Climate Action

Prof Pallangyo pointed out that AKU is not working in isolation; rather, it collaborates with other institutions and government bodies to ensure that the knowledge generated within academia translates into real-world impact.

“As a university, we must support our government’s efforts in mitigating the effects of climate change by providing the necessary knowledge for policy formulation,” she said.

Beyond Tanzania, similar initiatives are being carried out by AKU in other countries where the institution operates. After the exhibitions, outstanding projects are selected for further development and potential awards, reinforcing the university’s commitment to innovation and practical learning.

The students who participated in the fair expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute ideas and learn from experts. Asha, a student from Tambaza secondary school, believes that such platforms empower young people to take action.

“We always hear about climate change in the news, but participating in this exhibition has made me realise that we can all do something about it,” she said. “If young people like us learn how to protect the environment now, we will be better leaders in the future.”

Education remains the key to addressing climate change.