Govt keen on supporting Mweka college

THE government is keen to support the College of African Wildlife Management Mweka (CAWM-Mweka) to maintain its status as a centre of excellence in wildlife management in Africa.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hassan Abbasi, said the government values the contribution of the leading institution in professional and technical training in wildlife and tourism management.

“Mweka continues to make the country proud especially in churning out experts in the field of conservation,” explained Dr Abbasi when officiating at a farewell ceremony of the college’s governors board here on Saturday.

The Permanent Secretary insisted that it was difficult to not relate milestones registered in tourism sector to the college.

He commended the outgoing board for transforming the college during its three-year tenure.

Speakng during the event, CAWM-Mweka Rector, Professor Jaffari Kideghesho said that more than 10,000 students had graduated from the college, since its establishment.

“A good number of our graduates have been employed by conservation agencies such as Tanapa and the NCAA, while others have been attached to the private sector,” Professor Kideghesho explained.

On his part, the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Governors of the CAWM-Mweka, Prof Faustine Bee commended the government for its cooperation and support to the college.

“Government’s contribution has enabled the college to improve its present curriculum and roll out new ones that will enable to match the needs of the employment market as far as the tourism sector in general is concerned,” he said.

Established by the Tanzania Act of Parliament Number 8 of 1964, Mweka is registered and recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).