The Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has set aside Sh132 million for sponsoring 17 university students this year, as part of the authority’s programme to boost information and communication technology (ICT) education in the country.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony of the scholarships to
nine students, who haave won the sponsorships this year, TCRA director
general, Prof John Nkoma, said that the move aims to curb shortage of experts
in the ICT sector. He said the authority launched the Programme last year.
“We have decided to spend Sh132 million on boosting human resources in the ICT sector, as we believe that ICT is an important factor for development in Tanzania,” said Prof Nkoma. According to him, eight students won the sponsorships last year and nine have won it this year. “We are happy to see that out of the nine students, who won the sponsorships this year, four are ladies and five are boys, this shows that girls are increasingly doing very well in their education,” said Prof Nkoma. Representing the deputy minister of Communication, Science and Technology, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr. Florence Turuka, called upon more private and government sectors to channel funds in ICT education to increase ICT experts in the country. “The ICT sector is still facing many challenges includng shortage of qualified personnel. So, I urge other sectors to emulate TCRA,” said Dr Turuka, adding: “The ministry is doing all it can to ensure that the country has enough ICT experts.” TCRA acting board Chairman Vuai Lilla urged the students to study hard. |
The
Citizen Tanzania