The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) is implementing a five-year (2021-2026) Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project through the World Bank funding. UDSM has received USD 47.5 million for the implementation of this project through which various education advancement activities that will rapidly transform the campus in academics are undertaken. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to strengthen the learning environment and labour market alignment of priority programs at beneficiary higher education institutions, including UDSM and improve the management of the higher education system. At the University of Dar es Salaam, the Project is implemented through five priority disciplines namely Engineering and Technology, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Information Communication Technology, Urban and Environmental Engineering and Technology and Economics and Business. Specifically, The HEET Project is implemented through eight focused areas as follows:

The HEET Project at UDSM focuses on eight key areas or components, namely, construction or rehabilitation of infrastructure; updating curriculum and introducing innovative pedagogical methodologies; and promoting applied research and innovation capacity. Other areas include building functional linkages with the private sector/industry; strengthening the use of digital technology; promoting self-generated income; building capacity of academic staff and university leadership; and project administration, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation. Additionally, through this project, the University of Dar es Salaam establishes new campuses in Bukoba, Kagera region and in Ruangwa and Ngongo in Lindi region.

The project involves three partners: the Government – the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology which takes an overall responsibility of ensuring smooth implementation of this project in the higher learning institutions, UDSM inclusive; the World Bank which is the funder; and the Implementing Agencies—in this case the University of Dar es Salaam. These partners, each, has legally binding duties and responsibilities established through the dully signed legal agreement between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the University of Dar es Salaam.