Efforts to Preserve Educational Access, Research, and Public Service Relevance at the University of Dar es Salaam in the Age of COVID-19

Abstract:The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Tanzania on March 16, 2020 after it was declared pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Following restrictions by the Government of Tanzania (GoT), the University of Dar es Salaam closed on March 18, 2020, the action which affected the University almanac. Following the lifting of restrictions by the GoT, the University of Dar es Salaam reopened on June 1, 2020 under a recovery and operationalization plan. The plan included various adjustments to allow core functions of the university while safeguarding the health of staff and students. Adjustments on teaching and other academic activities included rearrangement of the teaching hours to the statutory minimum and setting teaching arrangements to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the context of teaching and examinations (wear of masks in classes, handwashing facilities outside classrooms and minimize of contact hours between classes). Adjustments on research and practical interventions involved the special University financial support to multidisciplinary COVID-19 related research and innovation on social and health, prevention and screening, business and financial, human behaviour and traditional/herbal medicines. The above combination efforts enabled the University of Dar es Salaam to ensure and sustain its core functions of teaching, research and public service while ensuring health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.