“Sharing of knowledge and expertise is key to development”
On August 28th, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted a farewell reception for over 100 Tanzanian mid-career professionals that have passed the selection for studying in the Netherlands during the academic year 2012-2013.
The event was officiated by Ambassador Dora Msechu (pictured), Director for Europe and America in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of Netherlands alumni, Hon. Dr. Mary Nagu, Coordinating Minister for Investment and Empowerment.
Some 50 other alumni attended the event to share their experiences with the departing students, including, Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, and other government officials.
In his speech, Ambassador Dr. Ad Koekkoek, stated that, “Sharing and pooling of knowledge is one of the main tools for development”. He estimated that over five thousand Tanzanians received a fellowship for studying in the Netherlands over the last 50 years, making Tanzania one of the top achievers in the program. “Although the Netherlands is a small country we perform very well in certain areas that might be useful for Tanzania”.
The Ambassador specifically mentioned the knowhow in horti- and agriculture, the Netherlands being the world’s second largest exporter of agricultural goods, despite its small size.
He also highlighted the long time expertise in gas production and export, the Netherlands being one of the biggest natural gas producers in the world with the attendant experience in related infrastructure and logistics.
The Netherlands Fellowship Program (NFP) is initiated and fully funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the budget for Development Cooperation.
The overall aim of the NFP is knowledge sharing thus contributing to human resources development within a wide range of governmental, private and non-governmental organizations. Fellowships are offered to mid-career professionals for diploma course, master degrees and PhDs in key international education institutes in the Netherlands.
Sharing of knowledge has proven to be a very effective tool for development. Several thousands of Tanzanian mid-career professionals have been awarded scholarships to study in the Netherlands over the last fifty years in relevant sectors such as business management, engineering, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education and governance.
Many of them have acquired important positions in the Tanzanian society and are contributing to the socio-economic development of Tanzania.
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