Local Collaboration
The Institute continued to strengthen existing formal research links with various local and international organizations, while expanding horizons to build new ones. IRA has maintained links with almost all UDSM Colleges, Faculties and Institutions through collaborative research and community service work. Currently, collaborative research continues with the Institute of Development Studies, Economic Research Bureau, and Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law, Prospective College of Engineering and Technology and, and the University College of Lands and Architectural Studies- UCLAS.
Also, IRA is working closely with various government and private sector institutions in areas of research and community services. In particular, IRA is working very closely with the Vice President?s Office - Division of Environment, National Environment Management Council and the Division of Poverty Alleviation. IRA has been and continued to be a key contributor in the policy dialogue and policy implementation processes that the VPO is undertaking. IRA's strong SEA and EIA components have contributed immensely in the development of guidelines and training materials for SEA and EIA. IRA is also providing vital services to the VPO in the development of poverty/environment indicators for Poverty Monitoring System. Staffs from IRA are members of Sustainable Development Network (SDN) an institution that includes members from outside IRA who meets regularly and provide technical input to the process of poverty reduction through the VPO.
In addition IRA is working closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism; Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and, Ministry of Water and Livestock Development. Others are the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government, Ministry of Lands, Urban Development and Human Settlement, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. Within these ministries, there are specific departments and agencies that work very closely with IRA. They include Wildlife Division, Tourism Division, Forestry & Beekeeping Division, the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Tanzania National Parks, Survey and Mapping Division, National Bureau of Statistics, National Land Use Planning Commission etc.
The on-gong policy changes in the country have increased the role of private sector, especially in development activities. This has also, allowed IRA to work very closely with private sector especially in the area of strategic planning and associated SEA and EIA, where IRA has provided numerous technical services and input. IRA will continue to pursue this area with private sector with the view of expanding it to include training and capacity building based on the Research Agenda.
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