PRESIDENT SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN DEDICATES HONORARY DOCTORATE TO TANZANIANS

By, TBN, Moscow

President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) by the People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), dedicating the prestigious honor to all Tanzanians.

The degree was conferred by the Rector of the university, Professor Oleg Yastrebov, during a ceremony held at the institution in Moscow, Russia, on June 4, 2026.

President Samia received the honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to reforms in the education sector, her efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s diplomacy, and her role in enhancing Tanzania’s international standing, including through the tourism sector.

Speaking after receiving the award, President Samia said that the honor was not a recognition of her personal achievements alone, but rather an acknowledgment of the efforts and aspirations of all Tanzanians.

She said the degree symbolizes recognition of the collective commitment of Tanzanians to development, cooperation, and human prosperity.

“I received the news of this honor with great joy, but I immediately realized that it is not mine alone. It is a recognition of our shared commitment to development, cooperation, and human advancement,” said Dr. Samia.

This is the eighth honorary doctorate to be awarded to President Samia.

She further stated that the degree represents the long-standing friendship between Tanzania and Russia and serves as a testament to the important role education plays in connecting nations.

The President noted that the honor also reflects the enduring relationship between Tanzania and Russia, which have continued to cooperate in various sectors, particularly education, for several decades.

In her speech, which Tanzanian leaders and students in Russia described as powerful and inspiring, President Samia highlighted how Tanzanians have, for many years, received education that has contributed significantly to Tanzania’s development across various fields, while also strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“Mama has spoken highly of our country. Being invited by President Vladimir Putin to visit Russia is a sign of Tanzania’s growing recognition, and her speech reflected great promise for the future,” said Jeffrey Mashauri, Chairperson of the Tanzanian Students Association in Russia (TASCARU).

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Tanzanians living in Russia, Pascal Gura, said that the approximately 300 Tanzanians residing there were proud to meet and listen to President Samia as she demonstrated how Tanzania continues to make progress and gain international recognition.

In her remarks, President Samia emphasized how Tanzania can achieve greater success through unity, cooperation, and collective efforts toward national development.

She also encouraged young people to pursue education while embracing the teachings of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who emphasized that development must always place people at the center of all endeavors.

The President urged the youth to remain focused on serving their country, noting that the documentary shown before the award ceremony highlighted Tanzania’s development achievements and reflected the determination of Tanzanians. She stressed the importance of young people recognizing their role in national development while upholding the values championed by Mwalimu Nyerere.

Since the university’s establishment in the 1960s, about 1,100 Tanzanians have acquired professional qualifications through the institution. This figure forms part of more than 5,000 Tanzanians who have studied in Russia in various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, and scientific fields.

President Samia also spoke about several agreements that have been signed to enhance cooperation in research, education, and academic exchange between Tanzania and Russia.