35-year-old Deogratius Mosha is the brain behind ‘SmartUni’, a technological breakthrough that has brought digitization to the Tanzanian education system, targeting the reduction of paper and printed handouts.
In an interview with Xinhua, Mosha revealed that his company conducted research that led to the discovery that most university students replace the cost of getting study materials with the cost of living or buying food. He added that an average student spends about $10 to $14 a month on study materials.
Mosha further explained that most tertiary institutions in the country have not digitalized their system to make provision for student study materials. This was where he saw the need and a chance to make a change in the system. He desired to create a platform where study materials can be easily be uploaded by both students and lecturers.
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SmartUni is a computer program designed to change the lives of students in tertiary institutions by making course materials accessible through mobile phones and the web. The young inventor mentioned that, currently, five universities were actively using the platform, noting that they have targeted all 22 universities in Tanzania and hope to reach them by the end of 2023.
Mosha boasts that some institutions in Kenya have asked how the digital program can aid their educational systems after recognizing its usefulness in Tanzania.
The invention began in July 2022, and the first trial was conducted two months later in September, while the second and final trial was conducted in January 2023. With the success of the previous trials, the program was officially rolled out in February 2023.
SmartUni is not the only smart invention under Mosha’s belt. He also created Afya Tap, a virtual program that links doctors with patients, and other health workers. He ingeniously created the digital tool during the pandemic since many were afraid to visit hospitals and pharmacies.
Mosha’s creativity in technology emerged during his high school days, when he became curious about anything that came his way. He owns Connectmoja Technologies Limited and works with many other successful companies.
He was nominated for 40 Under 40 Africa awards and won under the Science, Technology, and Innovation category for his two smart inventions.
Deogratius Mosha has a Bachelor’s degree in Science, information, and Technology. He believes that his two creations can be duplicated in other developing African countries because they mostly face similar issues as Tanzania.
All in all, he gives thanks to the Tanzanian government for their support of his work and for creating a setting that encourages ingenuity.
