Background Development of the Research Agenda is University-wide requirement for all UDSM Units as a strategy towards fulfilling a University wide Transformation programme. The objective is to revitalize the University’s capacity in fulfilling its mission in the changing socio economic environment nationally and globally. Other university strategies in the transformation process include reviewing teaching curricular, development of research policy, diversification of student intake, initiation of demand driven programmes, undertaking of academic audit, development of rolling strategic plans, etc.

Research Themes
Over the years the Institute has developed an interdisplinary approach and methodologies in addressing natural resource management issues. With respect to this interdisplinarity, the institute developed Research Agenda which give priority to the following Research Themes:

. Natural Resource Management and Environment
. Agriculture, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation
. Population and Human Settlement
. Social and Policy Analysis
. Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems