Establishment Of The University Of Dodoma And Its Contribution To Employment Opportunities To The Local Community In Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out in Dodoma Municipality particularly at villages surrounding the

University of Dodoma (Ng‟ong‟ona and Makulu). The objective of the study was to assess

the role of University of Dodoma in employment opportunities to the local community in

Dodoma Municipality. A descriptive study with cross-sectional and research design was used

in order to assess the role of University of Dodoma in employment opportunities to the local

community in Dodoma Municipality. Questionnaires, In-depth interviews, focus group

discussion and intensive documentary reviews were used for data collection purposes.

Findings from this study observed that the role of UDOM in the neighbourhood communities

is largely attributed on the demand from students, staff and visitors for local products or

services. The student‟s, staff‟s, and visitor‟s spending and budget in UDOM leads to well

over $1 billion of sales in the Dodoma Municipality. In terms of jobs and earnings, over

15,900 jobs can be attributed to UDOM establishment.

Furthermore, the findings revealed that there are many income generating activities which are

run by local communities around area surrounding UDOM launched as a result of UDOM

establishment. Most of the respondents (65%) agreed that these activities have been resulted

from the establishment of UDOM. These economic activities have played a significant role in

employing the local communities around UDOM. In running income generating activities

local communities are facing with challenges like financial constraints, poor physical

infrastructures, poor entrepreneurship education and skills among others. These challenges

can be resolved through loans with low interest rates, realistic tax estimations,reasonable

office rents, power & infrastructure improvement, pension funds to be incouraged