From July 19 to 24, Professor Zhang Minxuan, Director of UNESCO TEC; Professor Hu Guoyong, Deputy Director of UNESCO TEC; Professor Wang Gong, Director of the Analysis, Testing & Supercomputing Centre at Shanghai Normal University (SHNU); and Associate Professor Lü Jiexin from SHNU’s College of Education visited Tanzania. They held exchanges with institutions including the Zanzibar Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE), Arusha Regional Education Bureau, and Marangu Teachers College, and also visited the International STEM Education Volunteer Team, which was conducting mathematics education exchanges in Tanzania.
In Zanzibar, the delegation led by Director Zhang Minxuan was invited to the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, where they held talks with officials including Mr. Khamis Abdulla Said, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, and representatives from TIE. During the exchange, Mr. Said welcomed the visit of UNESCO TEC, briefed on the development of education in Zanzibar, and put forward ideas for strengthening cooperation with UNESCO TEC in STEM education and teacher training. Professor Zhang Minxuan introduced UNESCO TEC’s international teacher professional development programs and ongoing international projects in STEM education, expressed agreement with Mr. Said’s proposals, and offered suggestions on expanding future cooperation. The Zanzibar Branch of TIE outlined its main functions, focusing on the local implementation of Tanzania’s national curriculum in Zanzibar, as well as the implementation of regional teaching aids and teaching research activities. Director Zhang Minxuan shared Shanghai’s experience in curriculum reform and teaching research activities, and provided professional advice. During their stay in Zanzibar, the delegation also visited Mlimani Secondary School and Tumekuja Secondary School, attended the inauguration of the Smart Classroom established with support from UNESCO TEC, observed open classes taught by Shanghai teachers using the Smart Classroom, and had cordial exchanges with teachers and students.
In Arusha, the delegation first visited the regional government office, where they learned about Arusha’s educational development with the accompaniment of the Secretary of the Education Department. Later, together with the International STEM Education Volunteer Team, they went to Arusha Secondary School to observe a demonstration of the school’s achievements in Chinese language education. Teachers and students of the school held a grand welcome ceremony for the UNESCO TEC-SHNU Delegation and the International STEM Education Volunteer Team, and presented Director Zhang Minxuan with a traditional scarf symbolizing friendship and respect. The delegation had friendly exchanges with the school’s teachers and students, and discussed mathematics education research activities, teacher professional development, and international exchanges and cooperation in the Arusha region.
At Marangu Teachers College, the delegation listened to an introduction to the college’s operation. Professor Zhang Minxuan then used Shanghai’s participation in PISA and TALIS as a starting point to share Shanghai’s experience in educational development and STEM education practices. He also encouraged peers at Marangu Teachers College with UNESCO TEC’s vision—“Better Teachers, Better Education”—to advance Tanzania’s education through excellence in teacher education. During the visit, Soma Kwanza TV, an educational channel under TIE, filmed and documented the entire event, which was also covered in local TV news.
This trip to Tanzania has deepened the consensus on cooperation between UNESCO TEC, SHNU, and local educational authorities, building a more solid bridge for exchanges in STEM education and teacher training. The advancement of the volunteer program and the launch of the Smart Classroom will support local educational development and inject new vitality into long-term educational cooperation between the two sides.
