The fading allure of the University of Dar es Salaam: The ‘Hill of Knowledge’

During Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s reign Dar es Salaam was the epicenter of the liberation movements, and the UDSM was the crucible of revolutionary thought.

Nyerere was Tanzania's founding President.

It was here that transformative ideas were nurtured, and intellectuals engaged in rigorous debates that influenced the continent.

Today, however, there is growing concern that the current generation of students, and by extension the broader Tanzanian society, is becoming increasingly timid and less inclined to challenge the status quo.

A legacy of critical thinking

During its golden years, experts note that UDSM was more than just an academic institution.

It was a vibrant hub for discussing and debating the most pressing issues of the day.

From stringent laws allowing indefinite detention to the shift from socialism to a market economy, the university was a hotbed of critical thinking and a key player in shaping national policy.

The university attracted progressive scholars from around the world.

Today, this legacy appears to be eroding.

The head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at UDSM, Dr Ng'wanza Kamata, expresses deep frustration with the current state of affairs.

"The issue of questioning and curiosity has indeed significantly decreased at UDSM. How do we teach students to be critical thinkers? Yet, there are ways people are silenced, intimidated, and their thoughts weakened," he laments.

The decline is attributed to both institutional and external factors, as Mr Conrad Masabo, a lecturer at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) argues.

He notes that the abandonment of socialism and self-reliance as guiding philosophies has left a vacuum in societal and academic engagement.

"This detachment of the academics from the general public has ended in making the so-called scholars detached from society, which is synonymous with the end of public intellectualism," he observes.

Moreover, the quality of incoming students has declined, contributing to a diminished academic environment, he believes.

"Interest in academic engagement has not declined among the scholars only; it is not there among students too," argues Mr Masabo.

He points out that even when public discussions are held, attendance by both students and scholars is lackluster.

Political interference and academic freedom

Political interference has also played a significant role in the university's decline.

A renowned education and political analyst from the University of Dodoma, who requested anonymity, explains that since the mid-1990s, African politicians have increasingly seen universities as critical outposts for political patronage.

"They want to manage who ascends the academic ranks and who serves in student leadership. They also try to conscript academics to offer positive political commentary. This is what is seen in our top universities locally," he says.

He further says opaque networks, rather than merit, often determine academic and leadership appointments, undermining the university's integrity and academic freedom.

Despite these criticisms, UDSM's Vice Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye, insists that academic freedom and vibrant intellectual discourse still thrive at the university.

"Freedom of speech still exists through various platforms including public lectures and publications based on research," he asserts.

Prof Anangisye highlights that UDSM allocated more than Sh3 billion for research last year, hosting 11 public lectures where hot debates and research findings were shared.

"We do not expect someone to speak on something they have not researched. The university is the only place where people speak through research," he emphasizes.

He also points out that regular staff-student seminars are held, particularly in the history department, to encourage ongoing intellectual engagement.

A call for renewal

However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient.

An expert, Dr Rasul Minja from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration stresses the need for UDSM to promote its talent, invest in research, and foster a culture of dialogue.

"When will this university return to its former system of questioning and criticism?" he asks.