Strengthening Academia–Industry Collaboration for Smart and Sustainable Energy Solutions

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | 03 June 2026
The College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT) at the University of Dar es Salaam successfully hosted the 3rd Challenge Driven Education Workshop under the iGrid Project on 03 June 2026 at Silver Sands Hotel, Dar es Salaam. The workshop brought together researchers, industry experts, doctoral students, international partners, and project sponsors to share knowledge, discuss research progress, and strengthen collaboration in addressing challenges facing modern energy systems.

The event formed part of the ongoing collaboration between the University of Dar es Salaam and KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden, through the iGrid Project, which seeks to promote innovative and sustainable solutions for smart energy systems through research, capacity building, and industry engagement.

Bringing Together Key Stakeholders

The workshop attracted a diverse group of participants, including experts from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO), Six PhD students conducting research under the iGrid Project, representatives from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, project sponsors from Sweden, and academic and technical staff from CoICT.

This diverse participation provided a valuable platform for exchanging experiences, discussing emerging challenges in the energy sector, and exploring opportunities for research-driven innovation that can contribute to Tanzania’s energy transformation agenda.

Opening Session

The workshop commenced with opening remarks from the Coordinator Prof. Kwame Ibwe, highlighting the importance of challenge-driven education in fostering practical and impactful research. Participants were welcomed and encouraged to strengthen partnerships between academia, industry, and international collaborators to ensure that research outcomes address real-world needs.

Representatives from the University of Dar es Salaam and KTH Royal Institute of Technology reaffirmed their commitment to supporting collaborative research initiatives and capacity-building programmes that contribute to the development of future energy experts and innovative solutions for sustainable development.

PhD Research Presentations

A major highlight of the workshop was the presentation session by six PhD students involved in the iGrid Project. The students shared updates on their ongoing research activities, methodologies, preliminary findings, and future research directions.

The presentations covered topics related to smart grids, energy systems, digital technologies, and innovative approaches aimed at improving the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of power infrastructure.

Following each presentation, participants engaged in interactive discussions, providing constructive feedback, technical insights, and recommendations to strengthen the quality and relevance of the research.

Knowledge Exchange and Industry Engagement

The participation of TANESCO experts enriched the discussions by providing practical perspectives from the energy sector. Their contributions helped bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs, ensuring that research activities remain aligned with the challenges and opportunities facing Tanzania’s electricity sector.
By Norbert O. KapingaBy Norbert O. Kaping
The workshop also provided an opportunity for sponsors and international partners from Sweden to engage with researchers and stakeholders, reinforcing the project's shared vision of promoting innovation, capacity development, and international collaboration.

Key Outcomes

The workshop achieved several important outcomes, including:

- Enhanced collaboration between academia, industry, and international partners.
- Constructive feedback to support the advancement of doctoral research projects.
- Increased knowledge sharing among researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders.
- Identification of opportunities for future collaboration and joint re