By Carlos Claudio, Dodoma.
The Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has announced a new scholarship opportunity for 10 Tanzanian students to pursue undergraduate studies in Russia under the Samia Scholarship Extendedprogramme.
Speaking to journalists in Dodoma today, August 13, 2026, the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adolf Mkenda, said the students secured the opportunity from RUDN University in Moscow following President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s official visit to Russia in June this year.
Prof. Mkenda said the students are expected to leave Tanzania on September 1, 2026, for Moscow, where they will attend a special preparatory training camp, commonly known as a bootcamp, which will last approximately 10 months before they begin their undergraduate studies.
“During the bootcamp period, the Russian Government will cover 80 percent of the costs, while the Samia Scholarship Extended programme will cover the remaining 20 percent,” Prof. Mkenda said.
He added that once the students complete the bootcamp and officially begin their undergraduate studies, the Russian Government will cover 100 percent of their study-related costs.
According to Prof. Mkenda, the 10 students join 50 others who were previously selected, bringing the total number of students benefiting from the programme to 60.
He said the students will pursue studies in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Allied Sciences, fields considered important in meeting the growing demand for modern skills and helping the country address technological challenges.
Prof. Mkenda further said the 50 students who were selected earlier will begin their preparatory training at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha on September 14, 2026. They are required to report to the institution on September 13, 2026.
Explaining the selection process, Prof. Mkenda said the students were selected based on their outstanding performance in the Form Six national examinations, particularly in the science combinations of PCM, PGM and PMC.
He said the students ranked from first to 50th were selected to undertake their preparatory training in Arusha, while those ranked from 51st to 60th were selected for the opportunity to study in Russia.
“Among the 10 students travelling to Russia, eight come from government schools, while two come from private schools,” he said.
Prof. Mkenda stressed that the Government adhered to principles of transparency, fairness and integrity throughout the selection process to ensure that the opportunities benefit students with the required academic merit.
He also said the Ministry is continuing to coordinate preparations for the students’ departure, including assisting them in obtaining passports, noting that nine of the 10 students did not previously have passports.
He said the measure is aimed at ensuring that all necessary preparations are completed on time so that the students can travel to Moscow as scheduled.
Prof. Mkenda further explained that the names of all 10 selected students will be published on the official website of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, allowing members of the public to access more information about the beneficiaries of the scholarship opportunity.
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