Reflecting on Higher Education Institutions’ Response to Evolving Demands of Human Resources in Tanzania: University of Dar es Salaam Experience

Abstract

This article uses a case study to reflect on the role of higher education
institutions in training human resources as a prerequisite for national
and global development. It is based on data collected through interviews
and documentary review. The findings indicate that the role of higher
education institutions on the training of human resources has changed from
focusing entirely on national development needs to the teaching of skills
and competencies akin to job market demands. It is revealed that achieving
a stable balance between teaching of general skills and employability
skills under the market approach poses a challenge. This study proposes
the adoption of asymmetrical balance as a strategy that enables public
higher education institutions to combine the strengths of both the state
and the market to address national and global development priorities.
Keywords: asymmetrical balance, employability skills, human resources,
marketization, national development