Background Information
Following realization of the need for a national ICT network of Universities and other Higher education institutions as far back as the year 2000, in January, 2002, sixteen Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) signed a MoU to establish TENET that somehow did not bear any fruit until the name was taken up by the South African Universities network.

However, in March 2007, 21 Tanzanian higher education institutions formally adopted the new constitution of the new national ICT network referred to as Tanzania Education and Research Network (TERNET), an organization that will eventually connect all universities, higher education institutions and research institutions. In April 2007, the maiden TERNET Council meeting was held where 21 institutions signed the Constitution and a Chairman and a deputy of the Council were elected as well as the first five members of the Board of Trustee. Furthermore, a transitional secretariat was appointed by the Chairman in consultation with the members.

Registration process of TERNET started back on April 2007, but the process failed due to many reasons until 11th April, 2008 when TERNET successful registered as a Trust, under the Act (CAP. 318 R.E, 2002).

The forum will facilitate cheaper access to international information databases as a consortium as well as being able to negotiate for cheaper prices of PCs and selected proprietary software licenses. The network is expected to offer database management services as well as the opportunity for the educational and research institutions to communicate easily at very limited costs. The network is a keen follower of the internal connection efforts of our nation as well as its connection to the global ICT infrastructure.

 

Goals and Objectives
a) To establish a high capacity network infrastructure connecting educational institutions in Tanzania.
b) To introduce ICT and its use in education to teachers and students.
c) To reduce the digital divide between rural and urban training institutions and also between Tanzania and developed countries institutions.
d) To increase the usage of the computer as a tool that stimulates the creativity, critical analysis, the divergent thoughts, the expressive capacity and the resolution of problems.
e) To enable Tanzania students to construct their own knowledge as they learn and to develop skills necessary in the highly technological modern society.
f) To establish a human resource base of highly qualified people that will increase the country’s international competence and its successful participation in the globalization process
g) Support establishment and enhancement of Education Management Information systems, Libraries and electronic information access, e-learning Capacity, and National Research database.

Expected Outcomes
a) As earlier stated, TERNET Infrastructure Project is relevant to national and international policies for enhancing national economic growth. The expected outcomes of the project include:-
b) Linking training, research and other service delivery institutions to a well structured national and international data communication gateway;
c) Bridging the digital gap between Tanzania and the rest of the world with increased opportunities for business environment and investment and investment and investment opportunities;
d) Facilitated communication between local producers and foreign investors;
e) Enhanced ICT application in teaching, research and service delivery;
f) Enhanced life-long learning, virtual and distance education thereby increased access to education and implementing education for all policy.
g) Increased capacity building of human resources on ICT.
h) Increased access to education at all level thereby directly implementing the education for all policy.
i) Equity by enhancing rural access to ICT.
j) Cost-effective utilization of resources through sharing and exchange of skills between national and international institutions.
k) Multi-sectoral engagement in ICT capacity applications and development
l) Cost-benefits and recovery of costs through commercialization of services and resources.
m) TERNET can be used to impart vocational skills to Tanzania youth on a national scale