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Mbeya University of Science and Technology Institutional Repository has been developed for the purpose of collecting, managing and digitally disseminating information especially research information that is essential process for knowledge formation to encourage human growth.
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Recent Submissions
Concerning the status of mathematics and physics for secondary school science students’ sustainability in the 21st century STEM disciplines
(ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE, 2026-01-08) Kibona ,Isack E
The National Examination Council of Tanzania plays a significant role in shaping secondary school graduates’ career pathways through the Certificate of Secondary School Education (CSEE). This study examined future implications and strategies for improving graduates’ prospects in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, using the 2022 CSEE results from secondary schools in Mbeya City.
OPTIMIZING THE EFFICIENCY OF SUBSIDY FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; A CASE STUDY OF MBEYA, TANZANIA
(MBITA, OSCAR DAVID, 2025-06-30) MBITA OSCAR DAVID
Agriculture remains the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, employing over 65% of the
population and playing a vital role in food security and rural development. To enhance
agricultural productivity and ensure affordable access to essential inputs, the
Tanzanian government implemented a fertilizer subsidy program targeting
smallholder farmers. Despite its intentions, the current distribution system faces
critical challenges, including inefficiencies, fraud, delayed deliveries, and low user
satisfaction. The primary objective of this study was to optimize the efficiency of the
subsidy fertilizer distribution system. The study examines how blockchain technology
can address existing challenges by providing transparency, traceability, and enhanced
accountability. A mixed-methods approach involving stakeholder interviews and
structured questionnaires revealed weaknesses in the current system, underscoring the
need for innovation. In response, a blockchain-enabled framework was developed,
incorporating a layered e-voucher system built on a hybrid N-tier and microservices
architecture. The framework includes Key features such as smart contracts for
automated eligibility verification and a permissioned ledger to ensure tamper-proof
data integrity. Functional and heuristic testing confirmed the system’s usability,
scalability, and reliability. The proposed solution offers a robust and scalable model
for policymakers and practitioners to modernize fertilizer subsidy programs in
Tanzania, utilizing decentralized technologies.
A FRAMEWORK OF STRATEGIES TO REDUCE ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS’ DELAY IN TANZANIA: A CASE OF TARURA ROAD PROJECTS
(Mbeya University of Science and Technology, 2025-08-30) GABRIEL SEPERATUS
The construction industry is globally recognised as one of the fastest-growing
sectors, contributing directly and indirectly to the development of several other
sectors of the economy. Despite its significant importance, and based on persistent
reasons, the industry has often been overwhelmed with various challenges, including
the inability to finish the road construction projects within a given schedule. This
study aimed to examine the stakeholder’s perception of prevailing best practice
measures to reduce construction project delays in Tanzania. The study adopted the
questionnaire tool and the survey interview to collect the respondent’s opinion from
208 respondents having experience of more than five years obtained through
purposive sampling. The mean scores and the relative importance index (RII) of the
data were computed using the SPSS 24 tool to obtain the descriptive information and
inferential statistics. The findings have revealed ten potential factors for construction
project delays and thirteen best practices that, whenever implemented, can assist in
minimising delays. Moreover, the identified best practice measures were categorised
in clusters to indicate the project participant who plays the significant role in
minimising the delays. Furthermore, the findings acknowledged strategies were
categorised in six clusters, namely effective project management, procurement and
supply, resource adequacy (monetary or financial), design or technical, information
and communication, and external strategies. The current study proposes future
research to focus on identifying the relationship between the strategic cluster
categories in recognising which cluster category correlates highly towards
minimising the construction project delays
A STUDY ON EVALUATION OF HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL OF KAPOLOGWE WATERFALLS IN RUNGWE DISTRICT FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
(Journal of Research and Development, 2025-11-30) MGINA, CHARLES JOACHIM
This study assessed the hydropower potential of the Kapologwe Waterfalls, situated on
the Kala River, a tributary of the Kiwira River in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, using
an integrated methodology that combined spatial tools, field measurements, and
socioeconomic surveys. Tools such as GPS, current meters, and automatic levels were
used to gather geospatial and hydrological data, while structured questionnaires captured
energy demand profiles from six villages within the catchment. The analysis incorporated
topographic, climatic, land use, soil, and discharge data to characterise the river system.
Diversity factor analysis was employed to estimate village-level energy needs, and Karl
Pearson’s coefficient, along with the Weibull plotting technique, were used to validate
hydrological correlations and construct a flow duration curve for the ungauged Kala River.
Results indicate a hydropower potential of 7.237 MW, which falls short of the estimated
8.641 MW required to meet the aggregated four-year demand of all six villages. However,
the identified potential is sufficient to meet the current demand (7.116 MW) of five
villages, making the site viable for phased electrification. The study concludes that the
Kapologwe Waterfalls offer a technically feasible solution for decentralised power
generation in the Kala catchment. However, to meet long-term and inclusive demand, it
is recommended that this resource be supplemented with additional energy sources, such
as support from the Rural Energy Agency (REA). Furthermore, future research should
focus on optimising turbine design for high-head, low-flow conditions to improve system
efficiency, minimize maintenance needs, and extend equipment lifespan.
A Review of the Impact of Co-Digestion Substrates on the Methane Yield
(iRASD, 2025-06-22) Matwani , J.; Iddphonce, R.
This review highlights the impact of anaerobic co-digestion (ACD) on improving energy recovery from biogas production systems. Various factors from selected papers were reviewed to figure out their influence on ACD performance. Such factors include Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) ratio, biodegradability of feedstock, microbial diversity, activity, buffering capacity, and trace element concentrations. Findings show ACD significantly enhances process stability and increases methane yield by 20% to 65% compared to mono-digestion. The process shares more insights on mechanisms for addressing environmental pollution challenges as it offers alternative approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite promising achievements in ACD systems, several limitations of the process still exist, requiring the attention of future studies to explore the full potential of technology. Specific areas include optimizing the mixing ratio of substrates to prevent acidification and ammonia toxicity risks that may occur during the process, hence affecting the system efficiency. Research should focus on process design and proper feedstock selection, considering innovative approaches such as bioaugmentation, supplementation with carbon compounds and nanoparticles, to improve microbial activity, process efficiency, and stability. Also, there is a need to develop predictive models that will accurately incorporate C/N ratio effects on digestion kinetics and nutrient transformation. Current models are complex, which hinders their scalability; thus, the use of machine learning could enhance model accuracy.