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By Dotto Kuhenga, Communication and Information Office,

The visually impaired new PhD in the 52nd graduation ceremony, which was held on 2nd June, 2022 in Dar es Salaam, Celestine Dadi Karuhawe  has commended the University of Dar es Salaam for being ‘an equal opportunity for all institution’, that enables students from all walks of life to successfully complete their studies.

The exceptional new Doctor in town, who was conferred a PhD in Education, said his success was a testament to the University of Dar es Salaam’s commitment to education for all, including students with special education needs like him.

“The notion that the learning environment should not be an obstacle for others especially those with disabilities to acquire the education they want, is indeed a reality at the University of Dar es Salaam”, said joyous Dr.Karuhawe. 

Dr. Karuhawe, a professional teacher with a vast teaching experience in secondary schools and higher learning institutions in Tanzania, said he vigorously embarked on the PhD program because he knew that UDSM’s would provide him with unwavering support to realize his dream.

He further urged the University of Dar es Salaam to continue providing ‘this vital facilitation’ of knowledge and skills through creation of better learning environment for all, especially by acquiring more latest Information Communication Technology learning equipment for those with special needs, as well as construct more relevant infrastructures.

The UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic, Prof. Bonaventure Rutinwa, applauded Dr. Karuhawe for a well-deserved achievement, and said that his accomplishment was among the aspects that made the UDSM’s 52nd graduation ceremony exceptional. Another aspect, was the fact that, in this graduation ceremony, more women than men, 36 out of 68, were conferred with a PhD.

The Director of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Donatha Tibuhwa said Karuhawe’s achievement should be a strong motivation and call for others to enrol for studies at UDSM for there are adequate facilities and lecturers to help students complete their studies successfully. 

Karuhawe’s thesis, under the direction of a renowned Special Needs Education expert, Prof. Mwajabu Possi, and one Dr. Suitbert Lyakurwa, focuses on ‘investigation of crucial aspects in provision of quality inclusive education for students with visual impairment in Tanzania secondary schools’.

Prof. Possi recalls Karuhawe’s PhD studies journey and commends him for the great devotion and hard work that have made it possible to complete his studies successfully and timely.

“Karuhawe joins the list of other visually impaired scholars who completed their studies at the University of Dar es Salaam such as Dr. Lucas Luhende Kija (PhD studies), Dr. Batista Francis Mgumba (PhD studies), Prof. Edward Bagadanshwa (Masters studies) and others”, said a soft-spoken Prof. Possi.

Prof. Possi remembers that the first visually impaired Bachelor degree graduates at UDSM were her two classmates, in their BA with Education class of 1981, namely Zefania Kamhabwa Kallumuna and Ulumba-Wamunkolo Sikwela Kavwanga.

The UDSM postgraduate records indicate that Dr. Lucas Luhende Kija (who was also supervised by Prof. Possi) and Dr. Batista Francis Mgumba completed their PhD in Education studies in 2017 and 2018 respectively, and both are lecturers at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE).