Excitement as IITA Tanzania receives Director General in first visit

20 September 2023

On 8 September, the quiet routine of the IITA Eastern Africa Hub office was replaced with lively activities as staff welcomed Dr Simeon Ehui, IITA Director-General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa. DG Ehui was visiting the Hub office in Dar es Salaam for the first time since he joined the Institute as the Director General.

In her welcome address, IITA Eastern Africa Hub Director Leena Tripathi noted the heightened expectancy around the office. She used the opportunity to highlight the efficiency of the office: “Although the team is small, it is efficient, and we have a powerhouse.” She applauded the visiting IITA staff who participated at the AGRF for scheduling time to explore the campus, particularly the laboratories and offices within the state-of-the-art building famously known as the Science Building.

The excited DG Ehui debriefed the staff on the activities he and the senior management team had been working on throughout the AGRF week. “We were privileged to meet Her Excellency President Dr Samia, and during the conversation, she agreed to my request to be the champion of agricultural research in East Africa,” He narrated.

Dr Ehui emphasized the people resources and the importance of empowering young scientists through capacity building and mentorships. “Let’s support them so that they can be the best scientists to lead the science and research works in the future,” he urged.

Moreover, the DG encouraged the staff to continue performing despite the budget challenge, which is usually a common hard knock for all institutes, even those perceived as rich. He noted that good ideas and work will always get funding even when there is no money; hence, they should always aim to deliver the highest quality of work.

Contributed by Hadi Rashid