Refining final-year engineering outcomes at Mbeya University, Tanzania

Katambara, Zacharia

Refining final-year engineering outcomes at Mbeya University, Tanzania

Date

2026-05-20

Authors

Katambara, Zacharia

Publisher

MJRD

Abstract

Tanzania’s Vision 2025 agenda emphasise rapid industrialisation, necessitating a technically proficient workforce, particularly in mechanical engineering, to sustain growth in manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure. This study evaluates the academic performance of 117 final-year mechanical engineering students at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), employing Exploratory Analysis (EA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to uncover performance patterns and assess curriculum alignment with industrial competencies. Descriptive statistics revealed notable variability in course performance, while correlation analysis identified strong positive associations between GPA and key technical modules, notably ME 8401 (Fluid Power and Control) and ME 8411 (Automation and Robotics). PCA extracted five principal components, explaining 58.2% of the total variance, with Component 1 alone accounting for 30.4%, suggesting a dominant academic structure driven by technical proficiency. High factor loadings for ME 8411, ME 8401, and ME 8415 underscored their central role in student success. At the same time, low-loading courses such as ME 8408 (Industrial Practical Training III) and ME 8413 highlighted potential curricular misalignments. Based on these insights, the study concludes that academic success in mechanical engineering at MUST is tightly linked to performance in core technical subjects. To align educational outcomes with Tanzania’s industrial goals, the study recommends targeted curriculum refinement of underperforming modules, enhancing high-impact courses with structured academic support, routine application of multivariate analytics for curriculum monitoring, faculty training in educational data analysis, and the establishment of formal industry-academic partnerships. These data-driven reforms aim to foster a technically adept graduate pool that meets the evolving demands of Tanzania’s industrial landscape.