TZ Winter Amp Day 6
Day 6: January 9, 2025
Visit to Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST)
Written by Fahmi Dwilaksono
Habari za asubuhi (Swahili: good morning)!
Today, we embarked on an exciting agenda: visiting the Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST). This dynamic university, established in 2012, emerged from the transformation of the Mbeya Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) under the Universities Act No. 7 (2005) and the Mbeya University of Science and Technology Charter, 2013 (source: MUST website). MUST is committed to nurturing students' critical thinking, innovation, and leadership. The institution also strives to lead innovation initiatives that address pressing societal challenges.
I have a personal connection to MUST, as its founding coincides with the establishment of my undergraduate alma mater, Sumbawa University of Technology (UTS) in Sumbawa, Indonesia. This parallel ignites my curiosity to explore how MUST fosters sustainability through its partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD), a globally renowned institution. I’m particularly eager to learn how MUST educates Tanzania’s younger generations, equipping them with the critical thinking and leadership skills necessary to harness the nation’s potential, tackle climate change, and enhance resilience in agricultural practices.
Meet the Acting Vice Chancellor: Our visit began with an inspiring meeting with Prof. Ashery Mwidege, the Acting Vice Chancellor of MUST. Prof. Mwidege warmly welcomed us and encouraged open dialogue as we introduced ourselves and shared insights about our work at UMD. His enthusiasm for our visit was evident, as he spoke about MUST’s growth, which now serves over 15,000 students engaged in rigorous academic and research endeavors. Prof. Mwidege expressed his hope for continued collaboration between MUST and UMD to address critical food, water, and energy (FEW) issues.
Visit Yara Knowledge Center: From the administrative office, we proceeded to the Yara Knowledge Center. This is a demo farm where students, professors, and local community members can learn about sustainable agricultural practices. For students, it is a perfect place for them to implement what they have learned in the classrooms. 
For professors, it is a place for them to implement their research findings. For the local community, it is where they can get training to improve their farming skills and capacity. Marco and Eleizer, professors at MUST, explained all activities happening in the knowledge center. Right - Yara Knowledge Center.
First thing to see was the Hanse Agrostore, an innovative potato storage container developed through a partnership between MUST and Hanse AgroStore International of the Netherlands. This container, capable of storing up to fifty tons of potatoes, operates without power. It uses a simple yet effective system: the container is opened at night to allow cool air inside, then closed during the day to maintain the temperature. The double-layered insect netting on the doors protects the potatoes, ensuring quality over time. Impressively, potatoes stored for six months showed no significant difference from newly harvested ones. This initiative helps farmers avoid selling their harvest during peak seasons when market prices drop, providing them with better economic stability. Below - Left - Solar-powered irrigation pumps; Right - Farm equipment shed.
Laboratory Visit: Strong research in the fields of science and technology requires robust equipment and infrastructure, and MUST is fully aware of this necessity. Since its establishment in 2012, the university has improved its research facilities to support professors and students in accomplishing their work. We were fortunate to visit several research laboratories, including the Chromatography Laboratory, Spectroscopy Laboratory, Spectrometer Laboratory, Microbiology Research Laboratory, and Milk Plant Facilities.
Each laboratory is equipped with modern instruments such as Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers, Class II Biological Safety Cabinets, and Picarro Gas Isotope Analyzers. These facilities are accessible to professors, technicians, students, and even external researchers. However, students typically prepare their samples, and technicians handle the operation of the equipment. External users are charged operational fees for utilizing these advanced facilities. The laboratories support diverse research areas, including food and water quality, elemental analysis, product quality checks, meat disease studies, microbial contamination, and post-harvest production. Right - Microbiology lab.
Food, Energy, and Water (FEW) Discussions: The final agenda of the day was dedicated to research presentations and discussions on FEW topics. We attended five fascinating presentations by students and professors at MUST, covering a wide range of innovative projects. The first presentation focused on integrating papaya and soybean into a functional food product rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and dietary fiber. The second showcased a mobile application called “MFUGAJI Smart App,” designed to empower poultry farmers with tools for efficient farming management. The third explored processing cashew apples into juice to improve rural livelihoods, particularly among younger generations. The fourth emphasized the sustainable processing and preservation of vegetables, turning African green leafy vegetables (AGLV) into nutrient-rich green sauce. Lastly, the fifth highlighted renewable energy initiatives developed at MUST through education, research, and industry collaboration. Above - MUST milk plant facility.
The end goal of these projects is to inspire MUST students and professors to stay updated on current FEW challenges and solutions. One aspect that impressed me deeply was how the university integrates research efforts into its Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer. This center encourages students to propose innovative ideas and provides expert guidance to help them refine and construct their projects. Moreover, the center supports scaling up these innovations to an industrial level, enabling commercialization. This initiative not only boosts students’ confidence and leadership skills but also prepares them to create job opportunities and contribute significantly to Tanzania’s development. Right - Nemo, a MUST student presenting his innovative idea to connect chicken farmers to potential buyers.
So, that is the wrap-up! I am feeling grateful to have spent incredible time meeting good people at MUST. They have put great effort into contributing to Tanzania's development, especially for its future leaders. I hope to maintain this network as a UMD student and potentially bridge MUST and UTS for mutual collaboration. Asante sana na lala salama (thank you so much and have a good night)!