OSAO cooperates with Finnish, Estonian and Tanzanian partners in the Kilimanjaro VET project, which strengthens vocational training in Tanzania, Kilimanjaro region. The focus of the project is the development of pedagogical skills of vocational teachers and trainers.
Kilimanjaro VET is an Erasmus+ project co-funded by the European Union aimed at strengthening capacity in vocational education and training. Its objective is to enhance vocational education in Tanzania, particularly in the Kilimanjaro region, in collaboration with local and European partners. The project is driven by the European Union’s goal to promote capacity-building in vocational education in developing countries.
Developing Pedagogical Skills
Capacity-building is an ongoing process aimed at enhancing organizational capabilities, overcoming barriers, and achieving goals.
The project’s slogan Elevating Skills Together – Empowering Kilimanjaro’s Future describes our common goal in the development work, says Project Development Manager Merja Paloniemi from Educational Consortium OSAO.
“At the core of the Kilimanjaro VET project is developing vocational teachers and trainers pedagogical skills using the Train the Trainer method.”
The project work packages focus on areas such as entrepreneurship education, special needs support, as well as internationalization and networking. Strengthening the competence of teaching staff improves the readiness of local schools to provide vocational education. The long-term goal of the project is to increase the number of vocational education experts in Tanzania, particularly in Moshi, thereby supporting the socio-economic development of the region.
Cooperation with Tanzanian colleagues has been really rewarding, say Riina Karvonen, Head of Student Affairs and Mari Kontturi, Manager of International Affairs from Luovi Vocational College.
“What we have enjoyed most is joint development and sharing good practices. The joy of learning is in the air on both sides!“
International Collaboration
Kilimanjaro VET is an eight-partner joint project. It is coordinated by Educational Consortium OSAO from Northern Finland, with partners including Oulu University of Applied Sciences and Luovi Vocational College from Finland, Kuressaare Ametikool from Estonia, as well as Tanzanian partners VETA Moshi RVTSC, VETA Mawella VTC, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, and Tanzania Volunteers Ltd.
This experience is not only significant for contributing to Tanzanian education but also holds great importance for us as European partners, says Ave Paaskivi, who works as a project manager at Kuressaare Ametikool
“We recognize the value of learning from our Tanzanian and Finnish colleagues and believe in the mutual exchange of knowledge and experiences. Through these collaborative efforts, we aim to empower educators and students alike, fostering the growth of essential skills and knowledge in the Tanzanian education system.”
The project partners gathered in December 2023 in Moshi to launch the project.
A very successful kick-off week created a strong foundation for international cooperation and the development of vocational education and training. The Training sessions will continue with live and hybrid implementations until autumn 2025. The Tanzanian partners will visit both Finland and Estonia in September this year.
In the video, the experts involved in the project and the project leaders from OSAO talk about the project’s background and goals. Part of the video was filmed during the project’s kick off week in Moshi.
Follow the progress of the Kilimanjaro VET project:
