THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,
IN THE SUB SAHARAN REGION, CASE STUDY MOSHI UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF COOPERATIVE AND BUSINESS STUDIES
ABSTRACT
For years, African countries, mostly those located south of the Sahara have been
characterised by internal and external conflicts that have eroded peace from the land. As
a result, the economies of these countries have been going down.
Universities as resource centres for both thinkers and technical knowledge should be able
to address the inter-linked problems and come up with short and long term remedies.
This study is geared to review and evaluate the role of Universities; towards sustainable
development taking the Moshi University College of Co-operative and Business Studies
(MUCCoBS) as a case study.
MUCCoBS, the only Cooperative University in Tanzania, has a unique structure
compared to all the other universities. It has eighteen (18) regional centres scattered all
over the country enabling to touch base with grassroots communities. The centres have a
long record of working with various development organizations and promoting micro
enterprises in the private sector.
Specifically the paper looks into the extent to which MUCCoBS, teaming up with local
and international organizations, has been able to carry out its core functions and impacted
the community; including promotion of enterprise development through Peoples
Participatory Programs (PPP), Action Groups, Co-operative Member Empowerment
(MMEMCOP), Rural Financial Services (enabling rural producers to access finances),
Farmer Enterprise Development with emphasis on business as a central locus in
sustainable manner.
By: DR. Mwende, E. – Senior Lecturer
Moshi University College of Co-operative
and Business Studies
Moshi - Tanzania
1
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background Information
The MUCCoBS came into being as a result of upgrading the status of the former Cooperative College Moshi into a constituent University College of Sokoine University of
Agriculture (SUA) in 2004. The former Cooperative College was established in 1963 as a
training institution for the co-operative movement and staff of the Ministry responsible
for co-operative development with eighteen (18) regional centres scattered all over the
country enabling to touch base with grassroots communities.
This background endows the MUCCoBS with a unique history and specialization. It is
the only University in the Sub Saharan countries that has such an established structure
with linkage to the grassroots.
To sustain the role of the defunct Moshi Cooperative College, the new University College
through its Institute of Continued Cooperative Education fosters grassroots training in all
facets of cooperation, entrepreneurship and business management. The University
assumes the role of a change agent facing the challenge of offering effective training to
bring about sustainable development to the majority poor.
The concept of ‘sustainable development’ was made popular in 1987 by the Brundtland
Commission report of the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and
Development. The Brundtland Commission defined ‘sustainable development’ as
‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs’.
Given the development bottlenecks in the developing countries such as the energy
situation characterized by over-consumption of low grade traditional energy resourcesfuel wood, charcoal and non woody biomass contributing to soil erosion, reduced soil
fertility and desertification encroachment, (Mangasini, 2008), Ignorance, Corruption
especially by leaders (Chami, 2008), dependent budgets, unfavourable mineral contracts,
Diseases, AIDS and Malaria claiming manpower, etc, are as if this generation is the last
in these countries, yet it is not. There are uncountable other generations to come. The
Spirit of Brundtland definition of Sustainable Development is that each generation living
on this planet at any given time has duty to harness the resources available to meet their
needs in such a way that they also prepare for the coming generations. The question is,
how is this generation preparing for the other coming generations? Is there anything been
done to this effect? If there is not, how do we situate ourselves to come back to the right
track? What is the role of Universities? The study tried to review and establish the role of
Universities towards sustainable development, taking MUCCoBS as a case study.
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1.2
Situation and statement of the research problem
One of the major challenges for the developing world, Tanzania included is to adopt and
implement development strategies for sustainable development. Sustainable development
has been defined by many in various ways. However, the most referred to definition is:
the development which gratifies the needs of the present generation without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Looking at the
condition of most African countries, the world trade order and the current economic
crisis, sustainable development seems a dream. This study attempts to review and
establish the role universities towards sustainable development.
1.3
Objectives of the study
1.3.1 General Objective
The objective of this study is to use MUCCoBS as a case study to empirically
demonstrate the role of universities towards sustainable development.
1.3.2 Specific objectives


Review and Assess activities carried out by MUCCoBS
Establish relationship between activities performed
by MUCCoBS and
sustainable development
 Impact of researches and consultancies on the community development
1.4
Scope of the study
The study was conducted among the students, staff (academic and supporting) in
MUCCoBS and her centres, five other higher learning institutions for comparison, plus
the community. It focuses on the roles of universities, MUCCoBS as a case study towards
sustainable development.
1.5
Significance of the study
This study is useful to:
 University administrators because they will be able to formulate development
policies and plans to act as guides for the roles of universities in addressing
sustainable development
 Lecturers, the key change agents in development who will become sensitized on the
constraints of sustainable development and determine pattern of their performance in
relationship to sustainable development
 Students and community which will contribute substantial awareness to them as key
players of development
 Future researches on applied developmental aspects in analyzing constraints of
development and ways of enhancing sustainability.
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1.6
Description of the Study Area
The study area (MUCCoBS) is located in the northern eastern part of Tanzania on the
slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro region, Moshi Municipal (QDS 42, 56, & 57 –
Kilimanjaro special sheet 1: 125,000).
1.7
Definition of terms
Development
Advance from lower, less satisfying, less peaceful stage to struggle to higher, satisfying,
emancipating conditions. Development represents not only material achievement, but
also cultural, freedom, and psychological uplift of man (Nyerere J. K. 1974). It is a
process, not an integral end.
Sustainable development
The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations meets their own needs (UN department of economic and social
Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development). Its components are environmental,
economic and social well-being for today and tomorrow. Sustainable development should
see the world as a system. That is interrelated components working together for a
common goal. Optimization is reached if and only if the sub systems goals are in phase
with the system.
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2.0
LITERATURE REVIEW
Universities all over the world are tools for educating, analyzing data; creating
information, imparting knowledge (perception, reasoning and learning), which is of
utmost importance to developing and managing the future for sustainability of different
societies. The concept of ‘sustainable development’ was made popular in 1987 by the
Brundtland Commission report of the United Nations’ World Commission on
Environment and Development. That is the development which gratifies the needs of the
present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs. Studies by Hasna (2007 ) point out that sustainability is a process telling of
development of all aspects of human life affecting sustenance, resolving conflicts of
competing goals, and ensure economic prosperity. Sustainable development should be
looked at as a system (Lucey, 1997). That is the world as one system with its related
components, that is human beings and world resources interacting together harmoniously
for the common goal. This is doubtful, especially when one considers the developed
countries and developing countries. The former consumes more than 80% of the world
resources making their development sustainable, leaving 20% of the resources to be used
by 80% of the world population. (http//:en.wikipedia.Org/wiki/ sustainable development,
retrieved 20/1/2009). The developed countries sustain their development at the expense
of developing countries. The developments of the developed countries have a negative
impact on the developing and poor countries.
There must be a balance in that one component should not deprive other components for
the sake of its development (Nyerere, 1974). Reaching sustainable development seems to
be a dream. Universities should think of ways to educate the mass on the distribution of
resources.
.
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3.0
METHODOLOGY
3.1 STUDY DESIGN
The study used quantitative and qualitative approach using the case study design. It was
based on desk studies supplemented by limited primary data from questionnaires,
interviews, and focus group discussions.
3.2
Samples/Sampling techniques
The samples were randomly drawn from academic staff, supporting staff, students, from
MUCCoBS, five other higher learning institutions including University of Dar es Salaam,
Mzumbe University, Sokoine University, Institute of Accountancy Arusha, and National
Board of Accountants and Auditors and the community. Both random and purposeful
samplings were used. The random sampling was chosen because it provided equal chance
to every member of population to be included in the study. It reduces biases or prejudices
in selecting samples. Purposeful sampling was mainly carried out at the MUCCoBS to
increase the utility of the findings.
3.3
Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation Techniques
Integrated techniques were applied in collecting both primary and secondary data. Data
collection was carried out in MUCCoBS and five other higher learning institutions.
Interview provided a flexible and possibility of collecting detailed primary data.
Questionnaires were well focused planned and could reach distant objects.
Documentation from both published and unpublished materials was used for secondary
data.
Quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were employed so as to establish the
role of universities towards sustainable development.
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4.0
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
TRAINING
Universities all over the world have a noble task of imparting knowledge, skills and
changing attitudes of people for the purpose of creating individual and group sustainable
future. The professionals as products of universities are key players and promoters of
development. Education (both formal and informal) is a productivity factor and an
indicator of development. No education – No development, and no further national
progress (Nyerere, 1974).
The Moshi University College of Cooperative and Business Studies (MUCCoBS),
deploying its wide -ranging resources offer various long and short courses. In total 13
programs are being run as compared to only 8, of the former College. This is due to need
for more professionals in cooperative and business studies within and outside Tanzania.
The University offers full time Post graduate Programs as well as distance. It runs
Cooperative, community and Business management programs for social and economic
development.
There are various courses taught by the University whose purposes are to impart
sustainable development knowledge and skills. These are: Introduction to cooperation,
Introduction to business law, Introduction to marketing, Savings and Credit Cooperative
Management, Introduction to Entrepreneurship and management, at certificate level. At
Diploma level are: Cooperative, Principles of marketing, Development Studies, Savings
and Credit Cooperative management, Cooperative Law, Project Identification and
Implementation, Agricultural marketing, Principles of Entrepreneurship, Methods of
Participatory Appraisal, and Extension Education. At degree level are: Leadership in
cooperative development, Cooperation and cooperative Development, Theoretical and
Practical Aspects of Development, Approaches to Rural Development, Small Business
and Entrepreneurship, Methodology and Consultancy Techniques, Development
Perspectives. Postgraduate level are: Applied Research methods and consultancy
techniques, Perspectives and processes in cooperative management, Research Project,
Project Planning and management, Globalization, Agricultural marketing, and
Cooperative and community Entrepreneurship, Aspects of Community Development,
Development approaches, Current challenges in Development, Research project,
Planning community development projects, Power Dynamics, conflicts and conflicts
resolution, Cooperative and Community entrepreneurship, and Natural Resources
management.
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Sokoine, the mother University, is Agricultural University, training professionals in
agricultural skills. For Tanzania, Agriculture is the source of food, income for over 80%
of population, raw materials for domestic and foreign industries, and national foreign
income earner. Agriculture has a lot of constraints such as poor technology, poor
infrastructures, unreliable market, lack of capital, environmental constraints, lack of
know how, inadequate and good quality supply of water (Mwende, 2000). There are
enough sympathizers of development, natural scientists, the movers are still few and our
universities are enrolling a few numbers of them year after year. We need scientific
researches to cause and implement development. To make it sustainable these constraints
need to be addressed by individuals, groups and the government.
RESEARCH/CONSULTANCY
Universities ought to carry researches on how economic development activities impact
the environment and man and develop policies to carter for the negative impact.
Researches need to address industrialization, agriculture and transport. From the
researches, policies and development plans are coined. In addition the applied researches
ought to show the role of government in creating an enabling environment for sustainable
development.
Previous experience with donor-funded capacity building programs
The College uses its long experiences in managing projects and execution of consultancy
services to various clients. Summarised in two tables is relevant selected projects
executed and consultancies provided in the past five years.
Tale 1: Projects executed
Results
Programmes
Facilitating Formation of Rural Financial Linkage of production and marketing with
Services (RFS) in Dodoma (2001-2003)
financial services by formation and
strengthening 15 Rural Financial Service
organizations and Producer marketing
Organizations.
Pilot Project on member Empowerment in Improved quality of coffee and output, regain
cooperatives
(MEMCOOP)
Kilimanjaro of coffee buying and selling by societies, 35
Region
Societies marketing members coffee directly
to the Coffee Auctioning Market and securing
better prices. Diversification of economic
activities e. g. six Bee keeping Co-operative
Society (HABECO) with responsibilities of
organising quality harvesting and storage of
honey and send it to processing company in
Arusha for processing and marketing in
Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. The honey is
being marketed under the brand name of
HABECO known as Kilimanjaro Golden
Honey.
Improved
management
and
8
operational systems are among the
achievements gained. The MEMCOOP
philosophy, values and strategies have been
accepted by the Ministry of Co-operatives and
Marketing and are being institutionalised
within
the
government
system
for
development of the co-operative sector and
related organizations.
Formative Process Research on Strengthening Currently formulation of national research
of Rural producers’ organizations in Zambia, programmes and farmer regional business
Malawi and Tanzania
programme are in progress.
Indigenous soil and water Conservation Enhancement of indigenous methods for
Project
improving agricultural productivity through
soil and water conservation.
Table 2: Consultancies executed
Client
Task
Output
Ministry of Water and
Livestock Development –
Southern Highlands Dairy
Development programme
Facilitation of formation and
organisational Development
(OD) process dairy groups in
Iringa and Mbeya regions
Ministry of Water and
Livestock Development –
DFID Supported Animal
Health Services project
Strengthening the Piloting of
the development guiding the
process for privatisation of
provision of animal health
services by para-vets in the
rural areas of Mwanza and
Shinyanga regions
37 dairy farmers groups
formed in Mbozi, Rungwe,
Mufindi, Iringa Rural and
Njombe districts, OD process
developed and used by
districts and groups; field
trainers that included linking
production and marketing and
financial services and self
monitoring and evaluation
developed and being used by
the groups to assess progress
and performance
A total of 141 village based
animal health workers were
trained on technical and
business management and are
providing services in 57
villages in Misungwi, Bariadi,
Shinyanga (Urban and Rural)
and Kwimba districts in the
two regions. The piloting led
to establishment of the animal
Health Services Development
Co-operation.
Organisational development
needs for the 16 schemes, 16
water users Association/Co-
Ministry of Agriculture and Facilitation of formation and
Food Security – IFAD Organisational Development
supported
participatory process for 16 Irrigation
9
Irrigation
Development
Programme (PIDP)
Prime Minister’ office –
IFAD
supported
Rural
Financial
Services
Programme (RFSP)
Arusha Community Initiatives
Support Trust
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food Security Programmes of
Agricultural
Sector
Programme Support and
Smallholder Irrigation
scheme
member
based
organizations
Facilitation of reviewing the
managerial and operational
performance
of
Rural
Financial
Services
Organizations
Ongoing intervention for
facilitating a market study and
institutional assessment of
SACCOs in Monduli and
Babati Districts
Training on Organisational
and business management for
Water Users Associations/Cooperatives
Food
and
Agriculture TOT
on
Participatory
Organisation Zambia
Community
Mobilisation
Techniques
in
Choma,
Monze, Kabwe and Mkushi
districts in Zambia
Food
and
Agriculture
Organization
Project
on
Assistance
in
Capacity
Building for Agricultural Cooperative Development in
Yemen
Food
and
Agriculture
Organization Ethiopia
Training of policy makers
from
Agriculture
Cooperative Union (ACU) and
Ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigation
Facilitation
of
needs
assessment and TOT for the
co-operative
Development
Staff in the Oromia State
International
labour Facilitation
of
needs
Organization - Ethiopia
assessment and workshop on
curriculum development and
training methods for the
trainers of the Ethiopian
Handicraft Centre
FAO/Netherlands
facilitation of restructuring
Government Uganda
and re-organisation of Uganda
Co-operative Movement
FAO/UNDP
Needs
assessment
and
training of Water Users in
10
operatives in operational, 16
SACCOS in operational,
30 SACCOs and SACAs
managerial and operational
performance
benchmarks
were established and the OD
strategies identified
19
SACCOs
marketing
environment and institutional
performance to be established
and
strategies
for
modernisation identified
Organisational and business
performance
of
WUAs/Irrigation
Cooperatives from Dodoma ,
Mbeya, Iringa, Arusha and
Tanga regions enhanced
Improved skills of female and
male Zambia national farmer
leaders in mobilisation of
farmers into viable groups
that can involve all members
in soliciting services and
enhancement of collaboration
among the groups
Upgrading the professional
and managerial capacity of
ACU
Needs established and staff
gained knowledge and skills
for participatory facilitation of
co-operative development
Needs established and the
trainer gained knowledge and
skills
for
curriculum
development and training
methods and techniques
Restructuring
and
reorganisation
successfully
done
Needs
established
and
training
conducted
on
Usangu, Kikafu chini and organisational and operational
Mussa Mwinjanga
aspects of small scale water
users organizations
COLLABORATION
In 1992, a memorandum of understanding for inter college collaboration between
Cooperative College Moshi and Lang’ata Cooperative College was agreed. The main
purpose is to encourage academic and social interaction for two colleges to promote their
respective capacities for training, research and consultancy and to act as a way towards
wider collaboration with other colleges in the region and beyond for cooperative
movements (Collaborator, 1998).
Association of Cooperative Professionals of Tanzania (residing in Tanzania and abroad,
representing and promoting the interest of co-operators was formed in 1994. The main
function of the association is to sensitize the members and the public at large on the
memory and practice of the cooperation, and to promote the exchange of ideas by
organizing discussions, symposia, and workshops.
BEEP for rural development
BEEP (Business Experience Exchange Programme), a collaborative research for
development project. Its aim is to transform rural organizations in Tanzania, Uganda,
Malawi, and Zambia. This was conceived in 2002 with objectives of
 Enabling rural producer organizations to exchange business roles through
researches and exchange visits and use them to improve their business practices
 Learning and see themselves through researches.
Tree Planting
About three hundred trees were planted in 2008 rainy season. This move is in line with
Tanzania government and Moshi Municipality reforestation policy.
Entrepreneurship
The university has been involved with a lot of business incubation, like the Dairy farm
“Mbokomu Dairy Cooperative Union” which produces milk products. This is done with a
spirit of providing knowledge and skills. There is a saying that “If you want to help a
poor peasant, give him seedlings and a hoe, if you give him food, the food will be
finished and he will come to you asking for more food” It will mean that you have not
helped him technically.
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5.0
CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusions
The study shows that Moshi University College is better suited as an agent of change and
attaining sustainable development because it is closer to grass roots for education,
training, and consultancy functions. MUCCoBS through its different activities has a
distinctive role of promoting rural development and sustainability by using its centres
which are distributed all over the country. Cooperation as one of its focus point is a
positive approach to economies of developing countries.
The researches and consultancy services which have been done by MUCCoBS are
instrumental in identifying problems and suggesting the way forward in management
strategies that are essential for development and survival in business enterprises.
5.2 Recommendations
(i) Experience from MUCCoBS has shown that in the developing world, the
achievement of indigenous entrepreneurship development effort in diverse areas is
lying untapped. This potential especially in the cooperative sector can be identified
and tapped through creation of entrepreneurship development programmes.
(ii) Active and lasting member participation in cooperatives and other forms of
associations with less external intervention should be enhanced.
(iii) Universities ought to get in touch with the grass roots to be able to disseminate
research information in a language they can understand for a sustainable future.
(iv) Universities must strengthen and increase developmental researches on sustainable
use of energy, water, and other natural resources, prevention of pollution and
management of wastes so as to identify future threats to a sustainable society. This can be
enhanced by having exchange of Research fellows among Research Institutions, for
example “The BEEP Program.
(v) Universities ought to form partnership so as to be in a position to share their
experiences and discuss cross-cutting issues. For example Makerere University, the
oldest University in East Africa, its experiences could be shared among other universities
in East, Central and Africa as a whole.
12
(vi) Researches carried out by universities, especially applied researches and those topics
from the community projects to be open to the public as practised by Makerere
University. This will enhance awareness of community of the problems of development
and the possible alternatives to sustainable development.
(vii) Donor Syndrome ought to be avoided as much as possible. Because most of the
donor funded projects cease with ending of the donor contract. Currently donors are
reducing their support to developing countries due to economic problems at their homes.
Development of the people must be brought by the people themselves (need to create
demand oriented projects). Universities to sensitize communities to make maximum use
of the little they have, in equitable and integrated form for sustainable development.
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