Edinburgh College visits Tanzania to launch skills partnership in Renewable Energy
Members of Edinburgh College’s Engineering team recently returned from a scoping visit to Tanzania, marking the launch of a new international skills partnership with Arusha Technical College (ATC) and VETA Singida. Funded by the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme, the visit forms the first phase of a wider project to build institutional capacity in technical and vocational education, with a particular focus on renewable energy fields — including electrical, hydro, and solar technologies — which are national priorities in Tanzania.
During the visit in April 2025, Sandy Bruce (Head of School – Engineering) and Audrey Mukora (Lecturer in Engineering) led a range of scoping activities in Arusha. These included focus groups with staff and students, a visit to the newly built Kikuletwa Renewable Energy Training and Research Centre, and meetings with two local solar energy companies to explore opportunities for student placements and employer collaboration.
The visit brought a real sense of shared purpose, with us working together to strengthen quality assurance, share vocational knowledge and support staff development through a train the trainer approach. We’re looking forward to welcoming our Tanzanian colleagues to Edinburgh College and continuing this work side by side. The friendships and mutual respect we’ve built with our partners at ATC and VETA Singida have been a highlight of the trip and give this partnership real meaning.Sandy Bruce, Head of School – Engineering, Edinburgh College
This initiative builds upon earlier investments through the VET Toolbox project — funded by the EU and German government, and delivered in Tanzania by GIZ in collaboration with ATC and the Tanzania Renewable Energy Association — which helped strengthen systems for demand-driven technical education in sectors such as renewable energy. The Edinburgh College project introduces best practices, focusing on employer engagement frameworks, shared quality assurance practices, and the upskilling of teaching staff in technical content, digital tools, and entrepreneurship.
The collaboration between Edinburgh College, Arusha Technical College, and VETA Singida has enabled us to learn and apply best practices for employer engagement to strengthen the delivery of renewable energy and green skills training. By sharing active learning methodologies, optimising institutional resources, and enhancing quality monitoring systems, the partnership is not only improving teaching and learning but will also increase the employability of our graduates in response to evolving industry needs and global sustainability goals.Prof. Musa N. Chacha, Rector, Arusha Technical College
Through this partnership, we have shared resources and built capacity to ensure our training aligns with the growing demand for grid-connected solar systems. The collaboration has equipped us with the practical skills and knowledge needed to improve the employability of our trainees and graduates in the green economy.Trophine Mariseli Kimario, Solar Installation Instructor, VETA Singida
We were delighted to welcome a delegation from Edinburgh College to Tanzania, as part of their collaboration with Tanzanian partner organisations Arusha Technical College and VETA Singida, funded through the British Council Going Global Partnerships TVET programme. The project enables the mutual exchange of expertise and best practice between the partners in the sector of renewable energy, and particularly solar energy, which is an exciting and growing priority area in Tanzania. We wish Edinburgh College and their Tanzanian partners every success throughout this collaboration which will hopefully lead to longer term sustainable partnerships and connections, strengthening the capacity of skills systems in Tanzania and the UK to respond to the demands of the renewable energy sector.Kami Asamani, Country Director Tanzania, British Council
The partnership will continue with a reciprocal visit to Edinburgh in September 2025, where a Tanzanian delegation will take part in training and workshops to further deepen the exchange of knowledge and best practice.
Supported by funding from the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme. Going Global Partnerships supports universities, colleges and wider education stakeholders around the world to work together towards stronger, equitable, inclusive, more internationally connected higher education, science and TVET.
Read more about the collaboration on the British Council website.