Role of a University in Cluster Development Flower

Role of a University in Cluster Development Flower E. Msuya Facilitator, Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiative, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 668, Zanzibar, Tanzania 11 th Annual Global Conference on The Competitiveness Institute, Southern Sun Cape Sun, Cape Town, South Africa, 29 — 31 OCTOBER 2008

Lay out of the presentation Definition of a university O Definition of clusters and clustering O Role of universities in Cluster development O Case study: The role of the university of Dar es salaam in cluster development in Tanzania O

Defining university The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, roughly meaning "community of teachers and scholars” O Universities deal with accumulation of knowledge, its development and transmission across generations and its practitioners and transmitters. O

Defining a cluster According to Porter (1990) “Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, service providers, firms in related industries and associated institutions etc in particular fields that compete but also cooperate” O Clusters are based on common technologies or know how, commodity or service linkages, competitive advantages etc. O

The role of universities in cluster development Clusters can develop naturally O A university can hasten and direct the process O Universities can provide technology, training personnel, identify opportunities and linkages and assess the developmental process O Universities ( as a part of triple helix) and clusters can work together to develop organisational structure, assess needs, identify problems and solutions and identifying new areas of development O

The case of the University of Dar es Salaam Vision: “to become a reputable world-class university that is responsive to national, regional and global development needs through engagement in dynamic knowledge creation and application. ” O Mission: “the unrelenting pursuit of scholarly and strategic research, education, training and public service directed at attainment of equitable and sustainable socio-economic development of Tanzania and the rest of Africa. ” O

Contributions of the University to clusters and Cluster Initiatives O Education and training O Research O Technology O Extension O Financing O Economic Role O Other roles

O Education/Training O Provision of the right education to ensure formation and sustainability of cluster initiatives/clusters O Incorporating the cluster idea curricula -Co. ET-UDSM: Innovation courses -Diploma, Certificate, short courses, training an extension

Education/Training O Training of facilitators (e. g. ISCP-Tz has done 3 trainings with more than 100 trained facilitators O Training of stakeholders – how to run activities as business (entrepreneurship), innovation, O Pave way to changing established/ present mind-set of people

Education/Training O Training of researchers (within & out of Univ. ) in innovation/ Cluster development and facilitation -need to have batch of researchers with innovation skills

Education/Training O Training of groups of cluster members on particular skills-Special courses e. g. A special course to tour guides by UDSM (History Dept) for the Bagamoyo Cultural Heritage Tourism Cluster Initiative

O Research Conduct research on issues related to cluster problems -quality control, diseases, resistant /alternative varieties O e. g. IMS-UDSM: research on a new/alternative seaweed sp. for Seaweed cluster members; O die-off mitigation measures

OTechnology O Seaweed farming O Deep water floating lines seaweed farming technique to combat die-offs O Seaweed soap production machines O Mushroom farming O Solar O …… panels? ? Food processing cluster?

• Technology The seaweed soap production machines made at TDTC-Co. ET-UDSM Solar drier Seaweed soap Kettle for boiling and mixing Seaweed grinder Extruder Moulder Other examples also available Official launching

O Extension O Benchmarking visits O Exchange visits O Participatory identification of a problem

Benchmarking visits O To establish what is there and give reports O Help in establishment of collaboration between clusters O Create environment for sharing experiences O Evaluate and give e. g. certificates to best performing clusters etc Courtesy: Mr. Samuel Asman

Exchange visits O Make use of the well established clusters as (practical) training centres for students e. g. University students to visit and do research with various clusters National & international students visits to cluster activities O O Clusters visiting the university

Participatory identification of a problem faced by members of a cluster/needs assessment and looking for answers O Conduct seminars to identify the problems /needs O Example: Meetings of facilitator based at the IMS with cluster members in 3 villagesidentify problems the cluster groups have and want to solve

O Financing O Sourcing of funds O ISCP with Sida, Rockefeller, other sources e. g. Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiativeworked with IMS to obtain funds from SMEs Competitiveness Facility, Tz Commission for Science & technology O

O Economic Role O Co. ET-UDSM Support to Cluster Initiatives. ISCP-Tz E. g. Mushroom Cluster Initiative through ISCP Courtesy: Mr. Samuel Asman

Morogoro Metal Works Cluster Initiative Turnover (Mil TZS) Year 2’ 3 2’ 4 Firms 2. 68 Groups %Incr. 0. 74 2’ 6 2’ 7 4. 06 4. 94 5. 53 6. 51 34 %Incr. 2’ 5 11 17 1. 11 1. 40 2. 59 2. 72 34 46 18 21 Productivity: Turnover/Employee (Mil TZS) © pchisawillo

Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiative

O Other roles O Advertise, create, and coordinate cluster initiatives/clusters O Support facilities to clusters O Linkages and filling gaps O Support to cluster initiative specific activities

Other roles Advertise, create, and coordinate clusters O Shout!/advertise the cluster initiatives /programme O Enable creation of (more) cluster initiatives -Lead the league O Coordinate/monitor/evaluate the functioning of cluster initiatives -What stage, How to proceed, Make changes etc

Other roles Support facilities to clusters O Create a service centre e. g. A Hub for cluster consultation/servicing O Give continuous support -even if not financial -To let clusters always count on it -Interact more to remove the fear of ‘university”

Other roles Linkages and filling gaps O Linking different clusters O Linking clusters with other stakeholders e. g. government, financial institutions, O Fill-In the gaps -Get involved in activities that are not/no longer interesting to the other part of the triple helix -Participatory identification of problems -Participatory working out of the solutions

O Other roles O Support to specific activities of cluster initiatives e. g. Co. ET, IMS, and other university institutions support participation of the clusters in trade fairs and exhibitions: -Exposure O -Marketing their products Co. ET-SCP-Provided funds for the training on technology transfer to Zanzibar Seaweed Cluster Initiative O

O Policy Issues O Take the lead in influencing policies O Lobbying in government, politicians – can be hard in some countries but needs more effort -In some countries there are ministries on clustering and innovation

y k !! u! o s A e, t an an Th