Kikwete picked UDSM Vice- Chancellor.

Former President Jakaya Kikwete

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has appointed former President Jakaya Kikwete as new Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam.

Dr Kikwete takes up the post left by the late Ambassador Fulgence Kazaura who died in February 2014 in Chennai India while receiving treatment. According to a statement from the Presidential Press Unit, the appointment of Mr Kikwete is effective January 17.

Meanwhile, the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) honoured the former president with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Leadership.

The University also honoured Prof Chae- Hong-Suh, the 15th President of Chosun University of South Korea, with an honorary degree for his contribution in bringing development in African countries using technology and science.

This took place yesterday at a graduation ceremony held at OUT grounds along Kawawa Road, Kinondoni District, in Dar es Salaam, that saw 69 students graduate including three who graduated with a PhD degree.

According to OUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Elifas Bisanda, while in power, President Kikwete managed to solve conflicts in several countries, including Kenya’s post election conflict of 2007.

He said Mr Kikwete managed to stimulate economic growth in the country -- and attract visits from different heads of States from different countries. OUT offers educational programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode, making it different from other conventional residential universities.

Through ODL, OUT provides flexible learning environment, leading to protracted periods of course completion. OUT is an open and distant learning university with foreign students pursuing their studies using the ODL system. It has branches in all the regions.