DIT Songwe Develops Locally Made Construction Materials With EU Funding
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Tanzania's DIT Songwe campus is testing locally available natural materials, including soil, for use in construction under a EUR 87,681 European Union research project run with Ardhi University.
Tanzania's Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) Songwe campus is developing and testing locally available materials for the construction sector under a research project funded by the European Union's ERASMUS programme to the tune of EUR 87,681.15. The work aims to strengthen researchers' capacity and assess the quality of natural materials, including soil, so they can be used appropriately in building.
DIT Songwe campus director Eng Dr Frank Clement Lujaji said the project is being implemented in collaboration with Ardhi University and other European institutions. The funding has been used to build the capacity of researchers and to buy specialised equipment for testing the quality of materials suitable for construction, strengthening the institution's ability to carry out scientific and technological research.
Lujaji said the project has already produced results, including the publication of a research article, improved staff capacity in the field and the involvement of DIT students in research activities, giving them opportunities for practical learning.
The project forms part of efforts to implement directives issued by the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, during his visit to the campus in August 2024. Those directives included renaming DIT Myunga Campus to DIT Songwe Campus to reflect the region, improving infrastructure and strengthening collaboration with major mining companies operating in the area. In line with the mining cooperation directive, DIT has engaged Shanta Gold, Helium One and Mamba Minerals, which have expressed willingness to work with the institution.