Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania has ranked second in East Africa and ninth among the top ten countries in Africa with the best scientists who made a significant contribution to the world of science, according to the list provided by the international journal of science (AD Scientific Index 2023).
In the world, Tanzania is among the top 100 countries with the best scientists, so it has ranked 96 due to the good work of 10 scientists from the Ifakara Institute of Health (Ihi). The institution has ranked first among the 55 universities/institutions in the country that were evaluated.
The 10 scientists include the Institute’s Executive Director, Dr. Honorati Masanja, whose 103 publications attracted 6,691 citations. Others whose publications and citations are in parentheses are Dr. Sarah Moore (96 publications, 5,997 citations).
Dr Fredros Okumu (95 publications, 5,240 citations), Dr Nicodem Govella (38 publications, 2,890 citations), Dr Ally Olotu (36 publications, 3,366 citations) and Dr Eveline Geubbels (46 publications, 2,051 citations).
Other scientists are Dr Dickson Wilson (27 publications, 1,599 citations), Dr Samson Kiware (30 publications, 1,160 citations), Halfan Ngowo (29 publications, 944 citations) and Dr Dominic Mosha (22 publications, 885 citations).
According to the magazine, the ranking system was based on the number of expert scientists and that various criteria were used to rank the countries. The first was based on the number of scientists in the top two percent list while the second criterion was determined by the number of scientists in the top 10 percent, top 20 percent, top 40 percent, top 60 percent and top 80 percent list.
When the final criteria used were determined by the number of scientists listed in the international scientific journal AD and in terms of equality after using all three criteria, the world level of the most talented scientist of the respective country, was used.
Practically, the organizers of the magazine analyzed academic studies from 216 countries, and 19,525 universities/institutions, and 1,223,175 scientists using many criteria to present the results that will be used to evaluate productivity and efficiency for individuals and institutions.
The report has identified the top 10 academic and research institutions in Tanzania based on the scientific qualifications of affiliated scientists.
The list which is dominated by public institutions includes Ihi, Muhas, Sua, Nimr, NM-AIST, CUHAS Bugando, University of Dar es Salaam (Udsm), KCMUCo, University of Mzumbe (Mu) and Chuo University of Dodoma (Udom).
Regarding the top 10 scientists in the country who are productive in publishing valuable scientific works, the magazine mentioned Professor Rudovick Kazwala (Sua), followed by Professor Sayoki Mfinanga (Nimr).
Others are Dr Honorati Masanja (Ihi), Professor Stephen Mshana (CUHAS Bugando), Dr Sarah Moore (Ihi) and Professor Patrick Ndakidemi (NM-AIST). Other scientists according to the research are Professor Karim Manji (Muhas), Dr. Fredros Okumu (Ihi), Dr. Bruno Sunguya (Muhas) and Professor Rachel Manongi (KCMUCo).
Share this news
This Year’s Most Read News Stories
Britam half-year net profit hits Sh2bn on higher investment income
Insurer and financial services provider Britam posted a 22.5 percent jump in net earnings for the half-year ended June 2024, to Sh2 billion, buoyed by increased investment income.
The rise in half-year net profit from Sh1.64 billion posted in a similar period last year came on the back of net investment income rising 2.5 times to Sh13.27 billion from Sh5.3 billion.
“We are confident in the growth and performance trend that Britam has achieved, supported by its subsidiaries in Kenya and the region. Our business is expanding its revenue base while effectively managing costs,” Britam Chief Executive Officer Tom Gitogo said.
“Our customer-centric approach is fueling growth in our customer base and product uptake, particularly through micro-insurance, partnerships, and digital channels.”
The investment income growth was fueled by interest and dividend income rising 34 percent to Sh9.1 billion, which the insurer attributed to growth in revenue and the gains from the realignment of the group’s investment portfolio.
Britam also booked a Sh3.79 billion gain on financial assets at a fair value, compared with a Sh1.8 billion loss posted in a similar period last year.
The increased investment income helped offset the 12.7 percent decline in net insurance service result to Sh2.13 billion in the wake of claims paid out rising at a faster pace than that of premiums received.
Britam said insurance revenue, which is money from written premiums, increased to Sh17.8 billion from Sh16.6 billion, primarily driven by growth in the Kenya insurance business and regional general insurance businesses, which contributed 30 percent of the revenue.
The group has a presence in seven countries in Africa namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Britam’s insurance service expense hit Sh13.6 billion from Sh11.3 billion, while net insurance finance expenses rose 2.6 times to Sh12.3 billion during the same period.
“Net insurance finance expenses increased mainly due to growth in interest cost for the deposit administration business driven by better investment performance. This has also been impacted by a decline in the yield curve, which has led to an increase in the insurance contract liabilities. The increase has been offset by a matching increase in fair value gain on assets,” said Britam.
Britam’s growth in profit is in line with that of other Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed insurers, which have seen a rise in profits.
Jubilee Holdings net profit in the six months increased by 22.7 percent to Sh2.5 billion on increased income from insurance, helping the insurer maintain Sh2 per share interim dividend.
CIC Insurance Group posted a 0.64 percent rise in net profit to Sh709.99 million in the same period as net earnings of Liberty Kenya nearly tripled to Sh632 million from Sh213 million, while Sanlam Kenya emerged from a loss to post a Sh282.2 million net profit.
Zanzibar introduces $44 insurance fee for visitors
Visitors travelling to Zanzibar will now have to pay an insurance fee of $44 (about Sh118,360) with effect from September 1.Continue Reading
Karume faults lease of Zanzibar Islets
Diplomat Ali Karume has faulted the decision by the revolutionary government of Zanzibar to lease the islets that surround the islands of Unguja and Pemba to private developers saying it was absolutely not in Zanzibar’s national interests.Continue Reading