SUMAIT UNIVERSITY • RESEARCH • INNOVATION • COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Research, Innovation & Community Engagement at SUMAIT University

Like other universities worldwide, Abdulrahman Al-Sumait University (SUMAIT) is founded on three core mandates: teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement. While the University was initially established as a teaching-focused institution, it has progressively strengthened its research infrastructure, institutional frameworks, and human resource capacity to effectively support scholarly inquiry and innovation.

Research activities at SUMAIT are coordinated under the Research Section of the Centre for Research and Postgraduate Studies (CRPGS), which oversees research governance, capacity building, partnerships, dissemination, and alignment with national and institutional priorities.

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Research at a Glance

Capacity Building

Grant writing • Data analysis • Academic publishing

Key Research Themes

Education • ICT • Environment • Blue Economy

Collaborations

Regional & International Partnerships

CRPGS

Centre for Research & Postgraduate Studies

Research at SUMAIT promotes scholarly excellence, innovation-driven solutions, and meaningful impact on communities and development.

Research & Scholarly Development

Research Capacity, Thematic Focus & Partnerships

Research Capacity Development

During the 2024/2025 academic year, SUMAIT continued implementing a structured research capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the competencies of academic staff. Key training areas included:

  • Grant proposal writing and resource mobilization
  • Research methodology (qualitative and quantitative approaches)
  • Data analysis techniques and use of analytical software
  • Academic writing and publication in peer-reviewed journals

These initiatives are designed to enhance research productivity, competitiveness, and the international visibility of SUMAIT scholars.

Research Focus Areas

Research activities conducted during the 2024/2025 academic year were aligned with the University Research Agenda, national development priorities, sectoral needs, and the SUMAIT Strategic Plan. Major research thematic areas included:

  • Languages (Kiswahili and Arabic)
  • Climate Change and Environmental Studies
  • Waste Management in the Hospitality and Hotel Industry
  • Islamic Sharia and Jurisprudence
  • Blue Economy and Fisheries (anchovy fisheries)
  • Education and Pedagogical Studies
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

These areas reflect SUMAIT’s commitment to addressing societal challenges while contributing to knowledge generation at local, national, and global levels.

Research Collaboration & Partnerships

SUMAIT actively engages in collaborative research through regional and international partnerships. Notably, the University is a member of the Direct Aid Sponsored University Consortium (DASUC), which brings together:

  • Umma University (Kenya)
  • SIMAD University (Somalia)

Through DASUC, the three universities jointly developed a consortium strategic plan, scheduled for implementation starting January 2026, focusing on collaborative research, academic exchange, and capacity strengthening.

In addition, SUMAIT collaborates in research with:

  • International Open University (IOU)
  • Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU), Spain

These partnerships enhance cross-border research, joint publications, and academic networking.

Knowledge Dissemination — Academic Journals

During the 2024/2025 academic year, SUMAIT successfully maintained the publication of two biannual issues of the SUMAIT University Journal (SUJ).

The journal serves as a platform for disseminating scholarly research in multidisciplinary fields and is accessible online at:

journal.sumait.ac.tz

Academic Journals

SUMAIT University Journals

View our journal

Peer-reviewed journals hosted by SUMAIT University across multiple disciplines. Select a journal to access issues, author guidelines, and the online submission system.

ICT & Innovation
Journal of Information Technology & Innovation (JITI)
Education
SUMAIT Journal of Education & Social Sciences
Interdisciplinary
SUMAIT Multidisciplinary Research Review

Community Engagement & Outreach

Consultancy & Applied Research Services

Request engagement

SUMAIT University collaborates with government, NGOs, communities, and industry to provide evidence-based solutions through consultancy, outreach, and applied research.

Digital Systems & ICT Consultancy

Design and development of information systems, data dashboards, GIS and mapping solutions, and digital platforms tailored to local needs.

  • System analysis & architecture
  • Custom web & mobile apps
  • Capacity building & training
Discuss a project
Monitoring, Evaluation & Policy Research

Support for programme design, M&E frameworks, impact assessments, and policy briefs that inform decision-making.

  • Baseline & endline surveys
  • Data quality audits
  • Evidence translation workshops
Request support
Community Outreach & Capacity Building

Co-creating solutions with communities through training, awareness campaigns, school outreach, and technical backstopping.

  • Community ICT literacy
  • Disaster risk & climate awareness
  • Youth innovation labs & hackathons
Partner with us

Get in Touch

Contact & Engagement Requests

Use the form below to contact SUMAIT University regarding publications, conferences, or community engagement and consultancy opportunities.

Research & Publications Office

SUMAIT University
Chukwani, Zanzibar, Tanzania

researchoffice@sumait.ac.tz | help.suj@gmail.com

+255 778 571 207 | +255 776 291 900 | +255 776 438 887

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (EAT). For urgent matters related to conferences or consultancy, please indicate “URGENT” in the subject.