SPEECH BY THE MINISTER HON. PROF. KITILA ALEXANDER MKUMBO AT THE 14TH YOUNG SCIENTISTS TANZANIA AWARDS CEREMONY ON 19TH SEPTEMBER 2024 AT THE JULIUS NYERERE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, DAR ES SALAAM

 

Salutations:

Prof. Yunus D. Mgaya, Chairman, YST Board of Directors,

Mr. Cobus van Zyl, Karimjee Foundation,

Mr. Menno Bax, Shell Exploration and Production Tanzania Ltd.,

Dr. Gozibert Kamugisha, Co-Director, YST,

Esteemed YST Sponsors,

Members of YST Board of Directors,

Students and Teachers,

Distinguished invited guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Good evening and welcome to the Young Scientists Tanzania (YST) 2024 Awards Ceremony!

After 14 years, YST has expanded to all regions of Tanzania, and the YST Science for Development Programme is thriving. Our young students continue to seek solutions to the challenges they and the global community face daily. The YST method deserves commendation, as it has proven to be an innovative and exciting approach that encourages students to unearth ideas and develop solutions and inventions for a better future. 

The projects being awarded today at YST 2024 are the result of many hours of research and development by students across Tanzania. Through their critical thinking, curiosity, and commitment, these students are bringing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to life outside the classroom. 

This achievement would not have been possible without the significant investments made by our government in secondary schools. The commitment of our government is to continue improving the physical infrastructure and human capital in schools to yield greater educational benefits in the future. 

Organizations like YST are complementing the substantial efforts of our government by providing an invaluable platform within our secondary school system for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). I am delighted to acknowledge the like-minded organizations, sponsors, and partners who are collaborating with Young Scientists Tanzania towards our shared goal of Science for Development. In particular, I would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through COSTECH, the Karimjee Foundation, Concern Worldwide, the Institute of Physics (IOP), Exim Bank Tanzania Ltd, Shell Exploration and Production Tanzania Ltd, and Speedy Print Ltd. Additionally, we appreciate the support from our other sponsors, such as J.H. Minet & Co TZ Ltd, Beyond Bamboo, the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). 

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the YST Team and Board, the judges, the teachers, the parents, and most importantly, the students themselves. I hope this YST 2024 Awards Ceremony inspires you and encourages the next generation of young scientists in Tanzania.

After those brief remarks, it is my singular honour and privilege to officially declare the YST 2024 Awards Ceremony open.

Enjoy the awards ceremony.

Asante sana.