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UDSM now starts centre to boost creativity, innovation
2007-12-10 09:00:41
By Guardian Correspondent
Sriving to put the concept of creativity in practice, the University of Dar es Salaam has established a Creativity and Innovation Centre.
The centre was launched over the weekend by the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for disasters and the war against HIV/Aids, Dr Lukas Siyame.
The centre is aimed at, among others, using creativity and innovation as meaningful tools for addressing poverty and enhancing development among the university community.
Over 50 individuals from within the UDSM community are said to have joined the centre as of last Saturday.
Speaking to The Guardian shortly after its launch, Diana Philemon Mwiru, an associatewith the University of Dar es Salaam Entrepreneurship Centre (UDEC), said establishment of the centre was timely and impressive as the idea originated from the students and was not imposed by lecturers or outsiders.
According to Diana, the idea to start the centre was mooted by an MBA student, one Erastus Mtui, two years ago.
`He initiated the idea and floated it to the rest of his colleagues who received it heartedly,` Diana, a lecturer with the university`s Faculty of Commerce and Management said the Tanzania of today needed people with innovation and creativity since that was the missing link in business prosperity.
``Capital isn`t so important in business. Likewise, experience is not a big deal. What is important is ideas if you have ideas, you have the main asset you need,`` she said.
Stressing the importance of innovation and creativity, Diana noted that with the current abundance of micro-finance banks, capital was no longer a problem.
One of the centre`s strategies will be to convince companies, organisations, donors, institutions and individuals to reward people who will come up with creativity or innovation, as well as those who potentially enhance creativity and innovation in the country.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Siyame pledged government support for the centre.
`The government will be pleased to see the centre make progress and don’t hesitate to knock on our doors for consultation,` he said.
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