Workers posing for a photo during Labour Day on Monday, May 1, 2023
Tanzania, like other countries around the world, celebrated Labour Day (also called International Worker’s Day) on Monday, May 1, 2023. Nationally, the celebrations took place at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro Region located in the eastern-central part of the country. The chief guest at this particular Labour Day event was the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. The theme for this particular Labour Day was “Mishahara Bora na Ajira za Staha ni Nguzo kwa Maendeleo ya Wafanyakazi, Wakati ni Sasa”. The day for this Labour Day event is normally a national public holiday dedicated to the honour of workers’ contributions and achievements.
Workers from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and the School of Education getting ready for the demonstrations during Labour Day Celebrations on Monday, May 1, 2023
The Department of Biosciences led by Dr. Beda John Mwang’onde (Head of Department) and the Sokoine University of Agriculture participated in various events and activities organized on Labour Day to acknowledge the importance of the labour force and promote workers’ rights. The celebrations were marked with festivities, speeches by the chief guest President Hon. Samia, labour leaders, and workers’ demonstrations highlighting their rights pressing issues, and more uniquely, their love and faith in the Government. During the procession from the university campuses to Jamhuri Stadium, workers raised their voices on salary package increments. Also, they requested authorities to keep solving workers’ problems and supporting initiatives to promote a better working environment. During this event, teachers, with great joy, demonstrated achievements by the Government on TEHAMA through Tablets (VISHIKWAMBI), to mention a few.
The Department of Biosciences, “the home of nurturing independent thinkers”, from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences of the Sokoine University of Agriculture is thrilled to announce the exceptional achievements of two members (Dr. Justine Daudi Maganira (Faculty member) and Mr. James Mwesongo Mnhonya (Technical staff)) who were recognized and awarded by the 4th and current Vice Chancellor of the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Professor Raphael Tihelwa Chibunda, as the best workers of the college during Labour Day celebrations. We are incredibly proud to share that Dr. Justine Daudi Maganira was voted as the best worker of the entire Sokoine University of Agriculture. Yet again, another guru from the Department of Biosciences, Professor Yasinta Charles Muzanila, a senior member of our department and the one we are proud of her tireless mentorship, received special attention from the University Management for her dedication, hard work, and outstanding contributions. These awards are a testament to their hard work and commitment, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to both individuals for their remarkable accomplishments. Their success reflects the collective effort and support within our department, and we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to their growth and development. Their dedication, hard work, and outstanding contributions have earned them this well-deserved honour.
Dr. Justine Daudi Maganira receiving the university best worker award from the Vice Chancellor during Labour Day Celebrations at Nane-Nane Hall in Morogoro, Tanzania Monday, May 1, 2023
Mr. James Mwesongo Mnhonya receiving the university best worker award from the Vice Chancellor during Labour Day Celebrations at Nane-Nane Hall in Morogoro, Tanzania Monday, May 1, 2023
The Department recognizes the distinguished leadership of the Principal, College of Natural and Applied Sciences (Dr. Geoffrey Kamahanga Karugila), Heads of Academic Departments, Administration, and the entire community from the college and SUA at large. The Labour Day University Celebrations held at the NANENANE grounds were organized by the University Management in collaboration with the Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Trade Union (THTU) and Researchers, Academician and Allied Workers Union (RAAWU).
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Dr. Justine Daudi Maganira, a Senior Lecturer in Parasitology in the Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. His research and outreach interest is on various neglected tropical diseases caused by animal parasites in humans and livestock. Maganira led various research projects on zoonotic neglected tropical diseases in pigs and soil contamination by parasitic pathogens. His current research and outreach projects have included the provision of public health education on the epidemiology and integrated control of the zoonotic pork tapeworm Taenia solium cysticercosis (a cause of human-acquired epilepsy in endemic areas) in Kongwa and Mpwapwa districts in Dodoma as part of the fight against the zoonotic parasite. He has also extensively participated in the formulation of a policy brief on the elimination of pork tapeworm from the pig farming communities in Tanzania as well as the preparation of public health education program materials in collaboration with researchers from the Sokoine University of Agriculture, University of Dar es Salaam and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. |
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Prof. Yasinta Charles Muzanila, an Associate Professor of Food Science and Technology in the Department of Biosciences. Her main research area is in food processing and postharvest technologies in roots and tubers, fruits, and vegetables. She also works on aflatoxins in cereals and groundnuts. Muzanila has led various research projects on the development of high nutritive formulae based on solar-dried orange, flesh sweet potato for children infected with HIV/AIDs and enhancement of child nutrition and livelihoods of rural households in Malawi and Tanzania. |
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Mr. James Mwesongo Mnhonya, a Senior Laboratory Scientist at the Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture. His tasks are to prepare reagents, set specimens, and samples for demonstrations in microbiology practical sessions, and technical assistance to academicians, researchers, and postgraduate students. His interest is in bioprospecting. He can plan and design experiments in microbiology and parasitology using various techniques such as bioassay, PCR, ELISA, binding assays, and many other serological techniques as well as mushroom culture. James is renowned in the department as an SI unit of bioassay and microbial identification. |
