Wasomi wa Tanzania waendelea kusererekea nje na kung'ara

Professor JOHN SEVERIN MSHANA was in July 2008 appointed by the government of Rwanda as Vice Rector responsible for academics at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. Prior to this appointment, Professor Mshana held senior academic and administrative positions at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania. Notably, in February 2001, he was appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania as Chief Administrative Officer (equivalent to Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration) of the University of Dar es Salaam. He held this post until the end of his tenure in December 2006.

As Chief Administrative Officer, he was responsible to the Vice Chancellor for all administrative and financial matters pertaining to the UDSM.

Furthermore, he was Secretary of the Program Steering Committee (PSC), which was responsible for steering the Institutional Transformation Programme of the UDSM since 1994. It is on record that during this period the UDSM was transformed to be one of the best Universities in Africa (ranked 13th in 2006).

From July 2000 to January 2001, Prof. Mshana was the Principal of the University College of Lands and Architectural Studies. Further, Prof. Mshana held other administrative positions such as Director, Institute of Production Innovation, from 1994 to 1997 and Head of the department of Mechanical Engineering, from 1987 to 1994. In addition to these administrative assignments, Prof. Mshana was involved in teaching, research and consultancy activities. Therefore on the basis of his diverse and excellent academic profile, Prof. Mshana moved from the post of Tutorial Assistant in 1976 to full Professor in 1996.

Professor Mshana obtained his Doctorate degree from the University of Ottawa in May 1986, specializing in Solid Mechanics. Prior to the Ph.D programme, he had obtained his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from the same University in 1979 and a Bachelors degree, also in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nairobi in 1976.

On research, Prof. Mshana has managed to publish more than 32 articles in reputable regional and international journals. While the bulk of the research papers are in solid mechanics, Prof Mshana has also done research in other areas such as design optimization of internal combustion engines, industrial maintenance and engineering education.

Professionally, Prof. Mshana has been engaged in consultancy assignments relating to mechanical engineering in general, training and specialized studies. He is a registered consulting engineer and is also a member of the Institution of Engineers in Tanzania.

Source: http://www.kist.ac.rw/staff/vrac.html