The social, economic and political influence on higher education in Tanganyika since independence (1961-1970)

The study was concerned with the social, economic and political forces that influenced Higher Education in Tanganyika since its Independence in. 1961 up to 1970. The University has done much to reorient itself to an African environment. Most of the syllabuses have been radically changed; the East Africanization of staff has been pursued vigorously; and much of the research done in the University has been relevant to the needs of the region. It could not be denied that there were still many areas where reforms were necessary. The Governing Council, for example, was composed mainly of eminent outsiders, many of whom have had no experience in the administration of an academic institution. They made fundamental decisions which influenced academic policies. This arrangement was fraught with problems in developing countries. On the one hand, this should not have meant that politicians should not have been involved in university planning as some academics who were jealous of their autonomy have contended. On the other hand, one had to avoid the University being run by politicians. Tanganyika has made a revolutionary departure in the field of human resource development; indeed the sharpest possible departure from the conventional wisdom of the rich, developed nations of the world. Its program was based on the conditions which prevailed in Tanganyika and not upon what "ought to be.". It has faced the issues and shaped policy in a manner which has had no parallel in Tanganyika.