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From Blueprints to Bridge Decks: UDSM CoET Students Learn On-Site with CRJE

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By Staff Writer 

CRJE (East Africa) Ltd opened the gates of its Mbezi Beach project site on Thursday to host faculty and students from the University of Dar es Salaam’s College of Engineering and Technology (CoET) for a full-day Site Open Day and Youth Bridge Skills Challenge. 

The event, organized by CRJE as part of its commitment to skills transfer and China-Tanzania cooperation, brought together over 200 future engineers, government officials, regulators, and industry professionals for practical learning, competition, and mentorship.

The Open Day showcased CRJE’s active construction operations, giving participants direct exposure to large-scale infrastructure delivery, safety management, and technical problem-solving. Through live demonstrations, guided site tours, and the “Future Star” competition, CRJE created a platform where classroom theory met field practice — reinforcing its role in developing Tanzania’s next generation of engineering talent.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Zhang Cuishan, Deputy General Manager of CRJE (East Africa) Ltd_ welcomed the UDSM delegation and emphasized the significance of the programme. “Hosting the Chinese–Tanzania Staff Vocational Skills Competition & ‘Youth Bridge’ Skills Challenge in 2026 carries special meaning,” he said. “The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, and it is also designated as the ‘Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges.’ Hosting this competition at such a meaningful moment makes it not only a contest of skills, but also a vivid practice of transcending cultures, enhancing mutual understanding, and deepening friendship.”



Mr Cuishan stressed the role of skills in national and professional development. “Skills are the foundation of professional success, and talent is the cornerstone of development. Through this competition, we build a bridge with skills, creating a platform where Chinese and Tanzanian employees can compete on the same stage, learn from one another through exchange, and improve together through competition. It is both a showcase of craftsmanship and a convergence of shared development goals, carrying profound significance.”

Tracing CRJE’s long-term commitment to Tanzania, he noted: “CRJE traces its origins to the construction of the Tanzania–Zambia Railway and has been deeply rooted in Tanzania for 57 years. We have consistently upheld our commitment to serving the broader framework of China-Africa cooperation, integrating into local development, and adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.”

“Over the years, numerous Chinese builders have worked on the front lines, imparting skills and expertise; many Tanzanian employees have diligently learned and grown into skilled professionals; and a large number of young talents have joined and contributed to the company’s development. Together, we have delivered more than 200 quality projects with craftsmanship and dedication, advancing mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Tanzania and making significant contributions to Tanzania’s infrastructure development and socio-economic progress.”

On the purpose of the Open Day, the Deputy General Manager said: “The purpose of this competition is to vigorously promote the spirit of the Tanzania–Zambia Railway, the spirit of craftsmanship, and the spirit of hard work — encouraging learning through competition, improving skills through practice, and fostering integration through exchange. We hope this event will enable more skilled talents to stand out; further enhance communication and integration between Chinese and Tanzanian employees; promote the effective combination of advanced technologies with local practices; and strengthen collaboration between enterprises and universities, attracting more young talents to learn about and join CRJE, and contribute wisdom and strength to Tanzania’s development.”

He closed with encouragement to participants: “We encourage all contestants to cherish this platform, strive for excellence, improve skills through competition, broaden horizons through exchange, and refine capabilities through practice, growing into key contributors to industry advancement and social development.”


Promoting the Open Day: Skills, Safety, and Teamwork on Display

CRJE structured the Open Day to maximize practical exposure. Students rotated through live work zones where Chinese and Tanzanian foremen jointly demonstrated bridge deck construction, rebar fixing, concrete casting, and heavy equipment operation. Safety officers led briefings on PPE, working-at-height protocols, and emergency response — standards that CRJE applies across all its sites.

A highlight was the master-apprentice showcase, where Tanzanian technicians trained by CRJE operated excavators, total stations, and batching plants alongside their Chinese mentors. The demonstrations underscored CRJE’s localization approach: transferring not just equipment, but expertise. Site engineers explained how project scheduling, cost control, and quality assurance are managed in real time, linking directly to students’ coursework in construction management and quantity surveying.

The _“Future Star” competition_, hosted by CRJE, tested participants on technical knowledge, project management awareness, safety protocols, and professional ethics through written and practical stages. Judging panels included CRJE senior engineers and project managers, ensuring industry standards were applied. Winners earned internship placements with CRJE, creating a direct pipeline from classroom to career.


UDSM Principal: Learning Here Is Tangible

Dr. Innocent Macha, Principal of CoET, thanked CRJE for organizing the Open Day and for its broader support to the College, particularly through this year’s career seminar series. “Your engagement has added practical relevance to our academic programmes and has helped our students better understand the expectations of the engineering profession,” Dr. Macha said. He described the event as a “clear demonstration of meaningful collaboration between academia and industry.”

The partnership was formalized last year through a Memorandum of Understanding between CRJE and CoET, grounded in a shared vision to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world engineering practice. “I am pleased to observe that this vision is being translated into action, here on site, where learning is not theoretical but tangible,” Dr. Macha noted.

Addressing students, Dr. Macha called the event a “valuable opportunity” to step into a live construction environment, engage with professionals, and observe systems at work. “You are engaging with professionals, observing systems at work, and participating in a competition designed to test both your knowledge and your ability to communicate and think critically,” he said.




He added that the competition was intentionally demanding. “While today’s test may feel challenging, it is still slightly more forgiving than some of the examinations we set at CoET. So you are well prepared for this challenge,” he said, drawing laughter from students. He stressed that engineering excellence requires application under real conditions. “The exposure you gain here — understanding site operations, appreciating safety protocols, observing quality control, and engaging with practitioners — cannot be fully replicated in a lecture room.”

He commended CRJE’s openness, stating that “inviting students into your operational environment is a strong statement of commitment to developing the next generation of engineers.”


Students: “This Is the Day Theory Became Real”

For the UDSM students, CRJE’s Open Day was transformative. Martha Chaula, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying student, said the experience erased the gap between textbooks and field work. “In class we estimate costs, prepare bills of quantities, and calculate project variations. But here we saw how a Chinese foreman and a Tanzanian technician solve the same problem together on a bridge deck, adjusting for material supply and tide in real time. That kind of teamwork, cost control, and real-time problem solving is something you can’t learn from slides,” she explained. “This competition makes us confident that we can handle real site pressure after graduation.”

Zeynat Said, also a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying student, described the event as eye-opening. “The judges asked how I would manage a safety breach at height, or how I’d communicate a delay to a subcontractor without causing conflict or cost overruns. It felt like a job interview and a practical exam combined,” she said. “CRJE’s engineers treated us like junior colleagues, not just students. That respect motivates you to work harder and think like a professional.”

Kendrick Shimwela, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying student, was struck by the master-apprentice demonstrations. “Watching Mama Neema, a Tanzanian woman trained by CRJE, operate a 20-ton excavator with perfect precision was powerful,” he said. “In my first year, people told me site work isn’t for everyone. Today proved them wrong. This Open Day didn’t just teach skills — it broke stereotypes and showed us clear career paths in cost management, site supervision, and project delivery.”

Many students noted the impact of seeing Tanzanians in foreman, surveyor, and safety officer roles. “It’s one thing to hear about localization in class,” said one participant. “It’s another to see a UDSM graduate from 2021 now leading a section of the works and managing valuations.”

Dr. Macha underscored that the internship opportunities tied to the competition are “not just a reward for excellence but a gateway into professional practice.” He reaffirmed CoET’s commitment to ensure graduates are “not only academically competent but also industry-ready.”

“When industry and academia work together, we create a stronger foundation for national development,” Dr. Macha concluded. “We are not only constructing physical infrastructure but also shaping the human capacity required to sustain it."

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