Student Organization

Student Organization

n order to up bring the students to be responsible for their own welfare and promote students governance it was necessary for the University of Dar es Salaam through its highest organ which is known as University Council to allow students to form various organizations for their own betterments. This was also intended to teach students on social and political matters as well as economic and academic affairs practically by just being given advisory services or guidance from the Management through the Dean of Students Office. Therefore, the Students’ Organizations of the University of Dar es Salaam are run by students themselves with high degrees of autonomy.The University Management can intervene only when it sees there is a situation which is endangering the peace and tranquility at the university. Definition of Organization An organization is defined as the group of people who form a business or a club together in order to achieve a particular aim. From that point of view, any students’ organization at the University of Dar es Salaam should have a reasonable objectives and number of students who have common interests and goals to be achieved provided those interests and goals do not conflict with University Charter and Students By-Laws. In this regard, for any students’ organization to operate in this University it should firstly present its constitution to the Dean of Students office for perusal and if it happens to have no any inconvenience, it should be officially registered, hence, legalized. Types and Roles of Organizations at UDSM Normally there have been three main types of students’ organizations at UDSM General Students Organization This is known as Dar es Salaam University Students Organization and it is abbreviated as DARUSO. Every student who is registered at this University is automatically a member of this organization. DARUSO is structured by three main organs namely cabinet, University Students Representative Council (USRC) and DARUSO Board. The cabinet comprises of President of DARUSO, His/her Vice President, Prime Minister and Ministers of various ministries. The USRC comprises of all students representing their fellows from their classes, faculties and Halls or hostels. Others are appointees by the USRC Speaker and the cabinet members are also included in USRC. DARUSO board is a quasi judicial organ which deals with disciplinary matters for DARUSO leaders. It is formed by Faculty Chairpersons and Secretaries. The role of the cabinet is to run the DARUSO government through its ministries which are formed by the President, Vice-president and Prime Minister. The USRC has the roles of discussing matters concerning students and making final decisions and order the cabinet and DARUSO Board to implement. But USRC decisions should not contradict with the prevailing documents such as University Charter and Students By-Laws. The other types of organizations at UDSM are known as associations. Most of these associations are academic oriented and are centred at faculty level. For instance, there is DUPSA - Dar es Salaam University Political Science Association, DASUSO - Dar es Salaam University Sociology Organization just to mention a few. Previously, there were regional associations for the University students who were hailing from a certain region or district or province. But all those associations have been deregistered in order to discourage tribalism, regionalism and encourage nationalism. Rules and By-Laws Governing the Organization at UDSM All students’ organizations at UDSM have to adhere to the prevailing organs, Rules, and By-Laws. The prevailing organs are such as University Council, University Senate, and Students Affairs Committee while the prevailing rules and By-Laws are University Acts, University Charter and University of Dar es Salaam Students By-Laws. Despite that, all students’ organizations are having their own Constitutions. Those constitutions should not violate neither prevailing organs nor rules and By-Laws. Through students’ organizations at the University of Dar es Salaam, the students benefit from both practice of leadership, Democracy and Welfare. The students also promote their knowledge on their specializations, hence, to become more competent theoretically and practically. All students’ organizations at the University of Dar es Salaam should adhere to the rule of law and good governance by establishment and by running them. Lastly, the action of abolishing the tribal, regional and provincial organizations shall enhance national unity and reduce nepotism.