Stakeholder Engagement Meeting — Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (20 February 2025)

Meeting Objective

The primary aim of the meeting was to present the PURSUE project's vision, objectives, and planned activities to local stakeholders in Tanzania, and to gather input to guide curriculum development and implementation strategies aligned with regional priorities.

Opening remarks: Prof. Samir Afifi (Sakarya University) provided an overview of the project's mission and its focus on capacity building and environmentally friendly, locally sourced construction materials.

Stakeholder Participation

• Representatives from Tanzanian universities and engineering faculties
• Public authorities in housing, infrastructure, and education
• Local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Private-sector actors from the construction and engineering industries
• Embassy officials and donor organizations
• Community leaders and professional associations

Program Highlights

• Project overview: goals, expected outcomes, timeline, and work packages
• Contextual challenges: national housing issues and gaps in technical education
• Curriculum workshop: integrating sustainable construction methods into academic programs
• Stakeholder input session: feedback on curriculum design, engagement strategies, and sustainability considerations

Key Outcomes and Stakeholder Feedback

Participants emphasized the relevance of the PURSUE initiative and recommended:

• Strengthening hands-on training components in laboratory and field environments
• Aligning project outputs with national development strategies
• Engaging local construction firms in pilot project implementation
• Promoting gender inclusivity in training and participation opportunities

Next Steps

1. Incorporate stakeholder feedback into WP2 (Curriculum Development) and WP3 (Laboratory Capacity Enrichment)
2. Expand stakeholder involvement across partner countries
3. Prepare communication materials and policy briefs informed by local input

The PURSUE team thanks Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) for hosting the meeting and all stakeholders for their active contributions; continued collaboration will support the project's long-term relevance and impact.