March 21, 2018 marked the first-ever graduation ceremony of the UONGOZI Executive Programme – Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership. Officiated by the Minister of State, President’s Office, Public Service and Good Governance, Hon. George Mkuchika (MP), the ceremony was attended by senior officials from various Ministries, the Tanzania Police Force, development partners and universities.
In 2017, UONGOZI Institute and Aalto University Executive Education of Finland launched a year-long executive programme, the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership, with a total of 32 participants. At the end of the programme, 94% of the participants graduated.
In his opening remarks, the CEO of UONGOZI Institute, Prof. Joseph Semboja stated that the executive programme is designed to equip senior government officials with the necessary skills and competencies to provide sustainable solutions through effective leadership.
“The Diploma focuses on enhancing leadership competencies in three areas, making strategic choices, leading people and other resources and excelling in personal leadership qualities. It is undertaken on an annual basis with a total of 10 modules,” he elaborated.
In his address, Hon. Mkuchika noted the uniqueness and high quality standards of the programme, stating that the graduates should value the opportunity and put the diploma to good use in their work.
“As the Minister responsible for Public Service and Good Governance, I am very proud to see public officials receiving leadership training of high global standard from a local institution. I now expect you to start implementing what you have learned from the programme,” he stated.
“It is indisputable that some of you were born with leadership capacities, but experiences and research inform us that leaders can be made through the process of teaching, learning and observation. This programme stands as a proof of that,” he continued.
On his part, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Amb. Hassan Simba underscored the significance of the training for the leadership of Tanzania’s Police Force.
“Leadership within the police must be adaptable to change in order to help take the country in direction it needs to go. That is why this opportunity was provided for leaders within the police force,” he stated.
The Group Director of Aalto University Executive Education of Finland, Prof. Pekka Mattila, who also spoke at the event emphasised the long-term impact of the programme.
“I think this programme is a showcase of long-term thinking and investment,” he said, “strong leaders in the government and public sector in general is key to creating structures that enable economic growth.”
The graduation ceremony was also attended by 32 participants from the second cohort of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Leadership, which began earlier this week. The second cohort includes senior government officials from various Ministries and Public Agencies.
