|
Photo: Students
on Safari
Tanzania
Section
Page
BOSTON'S BABSON
COLLEGE SENDS MBA STUDENTS TO
TANZANIA
The East African Country
Attracts High level Academic Travel
Programs
Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa and
one of the most conducive to international business
investment because of its stability, has been
attracting increasing numbers of Academic Travel
Programs. A recent January trip to Tanzania - home
to some of the most spectacular land and wildlife
in the world - was undertaken by Babson College in
Boston, Massachusetts.
"Tanzania is an ideal subject country to study
from different cultural, ecological, natural and
economic points of view," said Peter Mwenguo,
Managing Director, Tanzania Tourist Board.
The Babson College Offshore Elective on
"Tanzania::Business and Poverty in Sub-Saharan
Africa" selected Tanzania because it has one of the
fastest growing economies in Africa and its private
sector has great potential to play a pivotal role
in eliminating still existing poverty. Tanzania's
stable government, free capital markets, and
successful reputation at the World Bank offer
unique opportunities for economic growth.
Prof.Miquel Rivera-Santos, who led the Babson
MBA students, commented, "I came back from Tanzania
enthusiastic about the country's potential. Its
long-lasting stability and recent economic
performance bodes well for the future. On a
personal note, not only am I now planning to take
another group of students on a similar trip next
year, but I am also exploring possibilities to
write case studies and conduct research.Tanzania is
definitely a country I will be going back to in the
near future."
Rumit Mehta, who assisted in designing and
organizing the comprehensive visit through his
AfricAwarness programs at Safari Ventures, said, "
Emerging markets, a wealth of natural resources,
global investment opportunities and stable
governments concerned about improving their
citizen's quality of life are of interest to all
business students today. Furthermore, Africa is
rapidly becoming a major player on the world stage
and an un-tapped site for academic research and
observation. And Tanzania is ideal in all criteria
for this type of study". Other universities,
including Yale School of Management and Pace
University's Lubin School of Business, have taken
part in the AfricAwareness series.
In Tanzania, Safari Ventures assisted in
arrangements for students to meet with political,
business, academic, and community leaders. Visits
included micro-finance institutions, such as
Selfina and Belita in Dar-Es-Salaam; government
agencies, including TASAF, an agency created with
the goal of alleviating poverty; NGO-led
initiatives, such as a milk processing facility
near Arusha and a local radio station; social
entrepreneurial ventures, like Shanga, near Arusha;
the University of Dar-Es-Salaam Entrepreneurship
Center; the Dar-Es-Salaam Stock Exchange; and
established firms, including Shelys Pharma in
Dar-Es-Salaam and Burka Coffee near Arusha.
Students were also given the unique opportunity to
meet with Ambassador Daudi Mwakawago, the former
ambassador of Tanzania to the United Nations, and
with Ambassador Mark Green, the current ambassador
of the United States to Tanzania. Not all was
academic, however. The group also went on a safari
to Tarangire&emdash;one of Tanzania's National
parks in the North.
As their main grading point for the course,
students were asked to prepare and present a
recommendation to help three women who had been
granted micro-finance loans to increase their small
businesses. These presentations will be filmed and
sent to the three women, who will help assess how
useful the recommendations are and grade the
presentations accordingly.
About Tanzania
Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is
focused on wildlife conservation and sustainable
tourism, with approximately 28 % of the land
protected by the Government. It boasts 15 National
Parks and 32 game reserves. It is the home of the
tallest mountain in Africa, the legendary Mt.
Kilimanjaro; The Serengeti, named in October, 2006,
the New 7th Wonder of the World by USA Today and
Good Morning America; the world acclaimed
Ngorongoro Crater, often called the 8th Wonder of
the World; Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of
mankind: the Selous, the world's largest game
reserve; Ruaha, now the largest National Park in
Africa; the spice islands of Zanzibar; and seven
UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most important for
visitors, the Tanzanian people are warm and
friendly, speak English, which together with
Kiswahili, are the two official languages; and the
country is an oasis of peace and stability with a
democratically elected and stable government.
For more information about Tanzania
visit
www.tanzaniatouristboard.com.
For more information on Safari Ventures'
AfricAwarness programs, visit http://www.safariventures.com
|
