MUHAS through HEET project, successfully conducted a three-day outreach campaign across seven secondary schools in Kigoma region to encourage students, particularly girls, to pursue science subjects and careers in health sciences. The campaign, led by Dr. Hawa Mbawalla, the Gender and Inclusive Education Portfolio Lead for the HEET project and a Senior Lecturer at the School of Dentistry, aimed to raise awareness about opportunities in science and health-related fields and to inform students about the academic qualifications required to join MUHAS, especially its upcoming Kigoma Campus.
The MUHAS team also included Prof. Ester Innocent, Head of the MUHAS Gender Unit, and Dr. Alphonce Marealle, a member of the MUHAS Gender Committee. The team visited schools across three districts: Kigoma Municipality, Uvinza District Council, and Kigoma District Council.
Kigoma Municipality – March 24, 2025
In Kigoma Municipality, the team visited three secondary schools: Kigoma Ujiji Secondary School (625 students; 289 girls), Buronge Secondary School (1,576 students; 852 girls), and Gungu Secondary School (1,860 students; 960 girls). During these visits, MUHAS experts provided students with guidance on the importance of science education, the wide range of career paths available in the health sciences, and the entrepreneurial opportunities in the sector.
They also presented information on MUHAS academic programs, entry requirements, tuition fees, and available financial support such as the Samia Scholarship and loans from the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB). Students engaged actively in Q&A sessions, with many inquiries focusing on tuition costs, scholarships, and admission criteria. Both teachers and students expressed their appreciation for the initiative and requested that similar visits be conducted regularly.
Uvinza District Council – March 25, 2025
On the second day, the MUHAS team visited Lugufu Girls’ Secondary School (46 science students) and Lugufu Boys’ Secondary School (113 science students). They also spoke with students from the newly established Kigoma Girls’ Secondary School, which has 294 students, including 104 in Form One and 190 in Form Five.
The team emphasized the importance of science in addressing community health challenges and dispelled common misconceptions about science being difficult. Students were encouraged to make informed academic choices aligned with future opportunities and to build foundational skills required for success in health science fields.
Kigoma District Council – March 26, 2025
The final visit was to Mwandiga Secondary School, which has 1,229 students (772 boys and 457 girls). The MUHAS team engaged students from Forms One through Six, including those in science streams, offering comprehensive information on health science programs, career opportunities, and the admission process at MUHAS.
Interactive sessions allowed students to ask questions about the competitiveness of health science programs, required qualifications, and career pathways. The sessions were well received and demonstrated a strong interest among students in pursuing careers in science and health.