Tanzanian Alumni of India’s Universities ask for Visa

The Tanzania Alumni of India Association (TAI) has asked the government of India to grant a one year working visa to students who go for their studies into the Asian nation so as to enable them practice what they have studied over the years.

TAI is an association that consists of 184 members of Tanzanians who benefited from Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarship (ICCR).

Speaking recently during the launching of TIA which aims at bringing together all diaspora inside and outside the country, TIA Chairperson Mr Robert Mwampembwa said the association brings all stakeholders who studied in India and those who are still studying so as to build a good network.

He said TIA will also help to strengthen the bilateral relations which exist between the two nations.

“Tanzanians who went  to India for their studies will help to remind others who are still studying that there is a lot to learn from Indians, including  spreading  the positive ideology found in India as we relate in many things,” he said.

Mr Mwampembwa said TIA also intends to promote economic political and cultural relationships between the two nations.

He noted that India has been providing ICCR scholarships for many years but the response has not been good, noting that it is high time Tanzanians grabbed the opportunities which are readily available.

India ICCR President, Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said every Indian who stays abroad becomes a cultural ambassador while their home country is the cultural centre.

He said the ICCR has been providing scholarships to African nations including Tanzania as part of strengthening the relationship between the counties.

He also congratulated Tanzania High Commissioner to India for maintaining the cultural relationships between the two nations.

“ICCR is an established institution of over 70 years history, and the existence of ICCR in 37 countries is going to further galvanize council relations, ” Dr Sahasrabuddhe noted.

Dr Sahasrabuddhe called upon Indians who live in the county to become good ambassadors in promoting Indian culture and become part of Tanzanian culture since there is a lot in common.

“Through this, I believe, it will help in promoting the understanding about the idea of culture among ourselves,” he said.

Meanwhile, India High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Binaya Pradhan, said the inauguration of TIA will strengthen the India-Tanzania relationship, friendship, cultural and people to people connect between these two countries.

He said Tanzania receives the highest number of ICCR scholarships in Africa.

“In last two years we have done diverse activities, including having three teachers as part of this cultural centre, installing statues of Mahatma Gandhi  in Zanzibar, and installing the statue of Swami in this campus.”

He added that recently during the highly successful state visit of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to India, India again increased the annual number of scholarships from 70 to 85.

December 02, 2023