ARUSHA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

S k i l l s Ma ke t h e Di f fe re n ce

atc Newsletter
A Bianual Publication of Arusha Technical College NOVEMBER - APRIL, 2014 Issue 004

H.E Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete, the President of the URT listening to a presentation by Science Laboratory
Student of Arusha Technical college, Fedrica Frederick during the Edward Moringe Sokoine
MemorialDay held at Monduli on 12 April, 2014.

www.atc.ac.tz1

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

Contents
Message from the Principals Desk

Message from the Editors Desk

ATC gets ready to train more lab experts

ATC launches Lapidary and Jewellery

Technology Course

ATC acts on Biomedical Technicians Shortage

ATC sets strategies to create jobs

10

ATC to run Kikuletwa hydro power station

12

How Technical Skills Can Make A Difference

In Driving Career

13

Waste water could be useful in irrigation

14

How to take care of automatic transmission

gearbox 16
Published By:
Arusha Technical College
P.O.Box 296, Arusha,Tanzania
E-mail: principal@atc.ac.tz
Website: www.atc.ac.tz
Editor

News in pictures

17

A Success Story

18

ATC hosts first TVET conference

20

Why training colleges need equipment

22

Appointments: 23
New Employees at ATC:

24

ATC becomes third in Shimivuta games

26

ATC Staff advised to check their health status

27

Gasto Leseiyo
Assistant Editor
E.P Sikawa
Consulting Editor
Sauli Gilliard

Sokoine Memorial

Editorial Team:
Winston Msuya
Daudi Mtavangu
Photographs:
Public Relations Unit
Designed & Printed by:
iPrint Ltd.
Email: iprintsales@gmail.com

H.E Jakaya M. Kikwete, the President of the URT listening to Arusha Technical
Colleges Rector Eng. Dr. Richard Masika (1st left) as he gives Brief Information
about ATC during the Edward Moringe Sokoine Memorial Day held at Monduli
in April 2014. Looking on(center) is teh Former President , H. E , Benjamin W.
Mkapa and behind him is Hon.Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim the former Prime Minister
and Secretary General of OAU

Message from the Rector

First Irrigation Engineering Graduates

Enter the Market in Style
mix of selected members from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,
Local Government, Contractors, Sokoine
University of Agriculture, and Agriculture
Research Institutes, among others.

Eng. Dr. Richard J. Masika

Rector

t What exciting time lies ahead of us? This

is probably a question that preoccupied
the First Irrigation Engineering Graduates
during their student life at the College. The
Arusha Technical College, popularly known
as ATC, was upgraded to autonomous
institution in 2007 to replace the then
Technical College Arusha that was founded
in 1978. It started operating autonomously
in July 2009 and immediately, in response
to market demand and as a part of support
to the realisation of the National Irrigation
Master Plan (NIMP) the College introduced
a Civil and Irrigation Engineering
programme leading to the award of
Ordinary Diploma and Bachelors Degree
respectively. The Master Plan is supported
by the Tanzania Development Vision 2025
and the KILIMO KWANZA strategy. The
Process of developing Curriculum for
this programme was guided by NACTE
provisions with effective involvement of
stakeholders.
Key NACTE provisions applied were level
descriptors and learning outcomes. The
process requires determination of labour
market demands through situation
analysis as a first step towards curriculum
development. As a second step the
findings of the Labour Market Demands
were synthesized with NACTE guidelines
in a Situation Analysis Report. This Report
was applied to develop Curriculum in a
writers workshop comprising a strategic

The College also developed an

implementation plan to guarantee
that the training to be offered is of
required quality, experiential in nature
with
entrepreneurship
development
component to motivate students to
opt for self employment activities after
completion of their study. The developed
curriculum and its implementation plan
were presented to a stakeholders workshop
to confirm if it adequately addressed
the needs of both irrigation engineering
industry and professional bodies. This step
in addition to approving the curriculum,
also ensured that the graduates could be
relevant to society. As a part of Quality
Assurance framework of the College,
practicing professionals, professional
bodies and the views of other stakeholders
were taken into consideration.
The College mobilised the required
resources both human and facilities to
impart the necessary knowledge, skills and
good attributes engraved in the curricula
as demanded by Irrigation Engineering
Industry and allied stakeholders. Further,
the College recruited a total of 5 qualified
academic staff in the Civil Engineering
Department,
contracted
visiting
Lecturers/Professors from institutions
such as Sokoine University of Agriculture,
University of Dar es Salaam and Dar es
Salaam Institute of Technology among
other Institutions. Further, the College,
requested for support of Irrigation Experts
from the Government of Japan to build
teaching capacity especially in design
and practical classes. The Japanese
Government dispatched two Experts
from June 2010 todate to work with ATC is
realizing this noble dream.
In order to
Demonstration
within the ATC
field irrigation
irrigation and

support teaching, a
Farm was constructed
campus to demonstrate
techniques for gravity
pressurized irrigation

technologies. In addition, the College is

in the process of establishing a 150 acres
Irrigation Training Farm 15 km away at
VETA Oljoro area to support teaching
practice. Currently, drilling of boreholes
and construction of rainwater harvesting
system are in progress. In addition, in
each academic year Students attend Field
Practical Training in Irrigation Schemes
and Design Offices for ten weeks where
they work under supervision of contractors,
consultants, and Irrigation Officers.
The first batch of Students who pursued
this three academic years Bachelors
Degree Programme and successfully
fulfilled the requirements for the awards,
graduated with Bachelors Degree in Civil
and Irrigation Engineering in January
2014. These are the first graduates in this
field in our Country. They are recognized
and registed by the Engineers Registration
Board (ERB). Government is working on
its promise of employing them to various
irrigation schemes and relevant projects in
the Local Government. A good number of
them however have already been employed
by other stakeholders.
During the
Graduation Convocation the Graduands
resolved that at every graduation occasion
each graduand should plant a memorial
tree starting with their cohort.
The ATC staff are student centred, career
focused and committed to student success.
Our hands-on (competence based)
philosophy distinguishes ATC from many
other technical institutions in Tanzania
and the East African region. The College
is confident that its graduates leave
with a qualification which is respected in
the industry with the competence and
confidence that go with it.
The support of all stakeholders including
students, Government, visiting lecturers/
professors, Irrigation Experts and the
College staff is highly appreciated and we
count on your continued support and good
cooperation.
Remember that always Skills make the
Difference!

October -- March
March 2014
2014 atc
atc Newsletter
Newsletter
October

Message from the Editors Desk

The role of stakeholders, the America Biomedical Technology Aid (Beta)

have taken a lead by donating machines for ATC meant imparting better
skills to Students who are taking Electrical and Biomedical Engineering.

reetings to you all! This editorial is in good hope that you are
all doing well. This time around our newsletter is out again
bringing you a variety of stuff which we believe will keep you
informed, educated and entertained with regards to the issues of
engineering, Science ad technology.
The family of ATC this time around is more than happy as we now
have 27 new staff who we believe their coming make huge strides in
various aspects with the intention of preparing capable Manpower
that will help our Country. We do hope that other staff will offer them
maxium support in executing their responsibilities.
As the core function of ATC is provision of competence based
education training, we bring with you a call from the vice president
of Tanzania, Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal on the need to reinforce
technical education in the country so that we speed up the
transition to an industrial economy.

Gasto Leseiyo
Editor

As stated clearly in the previous edition, the role of stakeholders,

the America Biomedical Technology Aid (Beta) have taken a lead
by donating machines for ATC meant imparting better skills to
Students who are taking Electrical and Biomedical Engineering.
In the same spirit this edition brings to you a mixture of features,
news stories and interviews to keep you informed and entertained,
without forgetting the success stories of mwalimu Joseph Kotini, a
former student of the then Technical College Arusha, as he narrates
extensively about his career and experience in the Automotive
engineering field and his plea to students to join technical
institutions.
Last but not the least , we wish to say this editorial has no enough
space to brief you on all the good things that we have prepared for
you but we promise you that by having opportunity to read you will
be much informed, educated and entertained as well, especially on
the humor part.

Enjoy reading this edition.

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

ATC Hosts CAPA

International conference
By Gasto Leseiyo

rusha Technical College (ATC) hosted the International

Conference for the Conference for Commonwealth
Association of Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA), which
was held from 25th to 27th November 2013 at the Arusha
International Conference (AICC). The Conference attracted
more than 250 delegates presenting 14 nationalities from
Africa and beyond. This years theme was Aligning Skills to
meet Market needs in Africa-Role of TVET.

The Vice President of the URT. H.E Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal follows the
Presentation during the Conference

Dr.Bilal added that development in

science and technology was a crucial
determinant of the processes governing
national development and the countrys
position in the global economy.
While developed countries are mulling
over the post- industrial era, most
African countries have not been able
to adequately embrace even the

it is indisputable that the contribution

of TVET training in wealth creation
is essential and if effectively utilized
technical training graduates could be
drivers of small and medium enterprise
development said Dr. Kawambwa.

Minister for education and Vocational Training,

Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (MP) delivers a Closing
speech the CAPA Conference

Speaking during the official opening

Ceremony, the Guest of Honor the Vice
President of Tanzania, Dr. Mohammed
Gharib Bilal stressed on the fact that
Tanzania has no choice but to embrace
vital technological advancement in
order to speed up the transition to an
industrial economy.

On his part, the Minister for education

and Vocational training, Dr. Shukuru
Kawambwa stated that technical and
vocational education and training was
the only vehicle which would enable
African countries to reduce the gap
between them and the first world
countries as far as technology was
concerned.

Launching of the CAPA Science Journal

technologies of the first industrial

revolution, the Vice President pointed
out.

The Conference has been organized

by Commonwealth Association of
Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA) in
conjunction with Arusha Technical
College (ATC), National Institute
of Transport (NIT) and Vocational
Education and Training Authority
(VETA).

CAPA Secretary General, Dr. Olubunmi Owoso

delivers Speech during the Conference

Technological advancement in the

case of Tanzania is particularly of major
importance in the agriculture sector he
said.

The Vice President of the URT. H.E Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal (5th from left seated) in a group photo with member
of local Organizing Committee (LOC) during the November 2013 CAPA International Conference. Seated on
his right is Hon. Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (MP) Minister for Education and Vocational Training. CAPA Secretary
General, Dr. Olubunmi Owoso (2nd left. On his left is the ATC Governing Board Chairperson, Mr. Abraham
Nyanda (2nd right). Chairperson of LOC. Eng. Dr. Richard J. Masika (3rd right)

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

The ATC- Workers

Council in Spotlight

The Guest of Honor. Hon. Abraham Nyanda, the Chairman of the ATC Governing Board gives his opening
remarks during the ATC-workers council inauguration.
Some of the Members of the ATC-Workers Council listening
to the Guest of Honors opening remarks.

By Gasto Leseiyo

he Chairman of the Arusha

Technical College Governing
Board, Mr. Abraham Nyanda has
called for deliberation efforts on the
part of the ATC- Workers Council to
ensure that they vigorously address
workers concerns in a move to promote
productivity at the College
Speaking at the opening ceremony of
the Workers council, Mr. Nyanda noted
that general workers productivity and

The invited Guests, Mr.Sebastian Inoshi

(left) from Dar es Salaam Institute of
Technology (DIT) and Mr. Mwahamed
Kulu (right) from Tanzania Higher
Learning Institutions Trade Union
(THTU).
A group photo of the Guest of honor.
Hon. Abraham Nyanda (4th leftseated) together with the Members of
the ATC Workers Council

stewardship to the public and College

resources increase when their concerns
are addressed properly.
He also called upon the general staff at
the ATC to ensure that they diligently
and efficiently discharge their duties
with commitment of the highest order.
The Board Chairman also noted that
keeping confidentiality should be the
Workers council top agenda.

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

Atc Participates in the 2nd Arusha

International Gem, Jewelry and
Mineral Fair (Aigmf)
By Gasto Leseiyo

he Ministry of Energy and

Mineral (MEM) in collaboration
with the Tanzania Mineral
Dealers Association (TAMIDA) recently
organized the 2nd Arusha International
Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Fair (AIGMF)
in which Arusha Technical College
(ATC) fully participated.
In
these
exhibitions
different
institutions from Tanzania and Outside
Tanzania participated. ATC like many
institutions used the exhibition as a
means to disseminate information to
the local and international Public on its
newly introduced Course of Lapidary
and Jewelry Technology.
The Organizing Committee from
ATC displayed different activities
performed by students under this
course including demonstration on
how to cut and polish Gemstones,
especially Tanzanite.
Speaking at ATC pavilion the Colleges

Rector, Eng. Dr. Richard Masika told the

Minister for Education and Vocational
Training, Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa that
the Institution intends to create local
experts who will be able to add value
to the diverse valuable gemstones
explored in the Country
The Minister visited the pavilion where
activities related to the Colleges
lapidary and Jewelry Training were

being displayed to an international

delegation.
He lauded the Colleges initiatives,
pointing out that for many years
mineral mined in the Country provided
employment to the people in the other
countries that could buy raw products
only to cut and polish them in their own
countries.
This is a commendable initiative as
the Country has a limited number of
experts in this area. We want more
people to have expertise in this area
to add value to our mineral to make
Tanzanians benefit out of this sector,
he said

Deputy Minister for Energy and Mineral

Hon. Stephen Masele (MP), inspects lapidary
and Jewelry section of Arusha Technical College
during the 2nd Arusha International minerals,
Gemstones and Jewelries Fair.

The new Course has already been rolled

out with the first batch of 16 students
and is already enrolling new ones in an
effort to boost the number of Jewelry
Polishing experts in the Country.

The Rector of the Arusha Technical College, Eng. Dr. Richard J. Masika (1st left) presenting a carved Egg) from the rock Malachite to the Minister for Education and Vocational
Training, Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (1st right) during the just-ended Arusha International Gemstone Jewellery and Mineral Fair held at Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha. ATC offers
Basic Certificate Course in Lapidary and Jewellery Technology
October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

The Pum Project Manager,

Mr. Wim Bredewold presents
a key to the Rector of Arusha
Technical College, Eng Dr.
Richard Masika as the sign of
Inauguration of ARGO Lab.
Look on, are Member of ATC
Governing Board
Mr. Hendrick Jonkman
from PUM Netherlands
senior experts makes a
presentation the Chairperson
of ATC Governing Board Mr.
Abraham Nyanda (1st Left)
on the ARGO System works

ARGO Lab

Introduced at ATC
By Staff writer

rusha Technical College (ATC) has unveiled a special

ARGO system of Automotive engine diagnostic and
repair workshop that is likely to change motor vehicle
repairing services in the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the ATC Rector
Engineer, Dr. Richard Masika said, the new advanced car that
are extremely differently from old mechanical dilapidated
vehicle means that the countrys mechanics and motor vehicle
repair garages not equipped to handle them.
Older motor vehicles were mostly composed of mechanical
parts with little, if any electronic, but new cars are automated,
featuring mostly electronic and digital components with
mechanical parts taking the back seat. Pointed out Dr. Masika
He added that the new ARGO lab at ATC will enable the new
breed of mechanics to handle modern cars.

ATC has already developed a tailor- made automotive

engineering curriculum which has been submitted to the
National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) for approval.
Furthermore, the College has consulted the motor vehicle
industry experts to see what they specifically wanted from the
workforce who will be graduating from the programme.
ARGO project experts from Netherlands, Hendrick Jonkman and
Sieberrn Idzenga are assisting in the maiden training scheme at
the College pioneering the journey in digitalizing motor vehicle
repairing in Tanzania.
The Hague based, PUM Netherlands senior experts organization
is assisting ATC on the new Practical Training for Technicians
Programme, the organization connects entrepreneurs in
developing countries and emerging markets with senior experts
from Netherlands that boast at least 30 years of experience in
business environment .
With the newly established ARGO engine diagnostic laboratory
and repair workshop at ATC, local car garages are set to be
transformed from the old, smelly, oily warehouses full of
spanners and blue-coat mechanics to modern centres featuring
Lab like clean interiors fitted with Computers attended whiteclad workmen who look like doctors.
Eng. Joseph kotini demonstrates Automotive Model works
to ATC Board Members during the Inauguration of ATC
ARGO Lab.

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

A quick design method for

subsurface constructed wetlands
for treating wastewater
By Senzia, M.A.(PhD)

Introduction

etlands is land where the water surface is

near the ground surface for long enough
time to maintain saturated soil conditions
along with the related vegetation. They have partly
oxic (Oxygen condition), partly anoxic (anaerobic
condition) soils in which organic breakdown takes
place. Wetlands support a highly productive, tall
emergent vegetable capable of taking up large
amount of nutrients. There are two types of wetlands
namely natural of constructed wetlands.
Natural wetlands
These have been used for wastewater treatment for
many years. In many cases natural wetlands were used
for disposal and not treatment and were considered
as wastelands

being exposed to the atmosphere as it flows

through the cell

Standard design of
constructed wetlands
Horizontal flow

a) Public demand for more stringent wastewater

effluent standards,
b) Rapidly escalating costs of construction
and operation associated with conventional
treatment plants, and
c) Environmental benefits
Classification of Constructed wetlands
These are:
a) Surface Flow Constructed wetlands (popular in
USA particularly for Large wastewater flow: This
is characterised by Wastewater being exposed
to the atmosphere as it flows through the cell
(treatment unit)
b) Subsurface constructed wetlands (Horizontal or
vertical flow) widely accepted in Europe, Australia
and Africa: This is characterised by Wastewater

Subsurface

, where Ah is the surface area of the bed (m2),

Qd is the flow rate (m3/d), Co is the influent organic
matters measured as BOD5 (mg/l) and Ce is the
effluent organic matters measured as BOD5 (mg/l).
KT is the temperature dependent factor (d-1), y is
media depth (m) and n is the porosity of the media
(%). However KTyn = KBOD =0.067-0.1

Constructed wetlands

Constructed wetlands are increasingly seen as a

viable Eco-technology for wastewater treatment due
to:

Horizontal

Design of horizontal subsurface flow constructed

wetlands is guided by Kickuth Equation and media
(gravel) characteristics giving a design equation
below:

Although improvement in the quality of wastewater is

generally observed as a result of flow through natural
wetlands, the extent of their treatment capability is
largely unknown. In Tanzania natural wetlands occupy
over 7% of the countrys surface area.

These are Designed/man-made systems aimed at

achieving removal of pollutants as observed to take
place in natural systems. They are sometimes called
Reed beds or artificial wetlands but constructed
wetlands is an international term

Experience has shown that both subsurface

constructed wetlands work much better if preceded
by a settling tank or a septic tank. They are suitable
for secondary treatment- Second step in most waste
treatment systems during which bacteria consume
the organic parts of the wastes and further removal
of suspended solids or tertiary treatment- Advanced
cleaning of wastewater during which nutrients (such
as phosphorous and nitrogen) and most suspended
solids are removed).

Vertical flow
Processes (mechanisms) in treating wastewater by
constructed wetlands
Treating of wastewater by Constructed wetlands
involves transformation or removal of Organics
(BOD), suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus,
pathogens and trace metals by:
a) Sedimentation: Gravity settling solids
b) Filtration: Particulate filtered mechanically as
water passes through substrate, root masses etc.

The design equation is suitably applied if at all

possible to carry out a flow and load sampling survey.
Quick design of Horizontal subsurface constructed
wetlands
In designing horizontal subsurface fowl constructed
wetlands without prior information on characteristics
of wastewater, a quick method is to use population
equivalent (pe). With the following assumption
a)

Flow per person

40-200l/pe

b)

BOD contribution (Co)

40-60g BOD5/
pe and

include

c)

Quality required (Ce)

10-20 mg/l
(standard)

e) Natural die off: Naturally decay or organisms in

unfavorable conditions and

d)

20-45% of Co will be removed by pretreatment system (e.g. septic tank)

c) Adsorption: Inter-particle attractive force

d)
Biological
microbial/metabolism:
nitrification/denitrification

f) Plant absorption: Under proper conditions,

significant quantities of these contaminants will
be taken up by plants
Design of subsurface Constructed wetlands
This article will only discuss design of Horizontal
subsurface constructed wetlands which have many
advantages as compared to surface flow Constructed
wetlands as indicated in the Table below:

Example
With an area of say with 200 people which requires
horizontal subsurface constructed wetlands. The area
of land required will be obtained as follow:
BOD5 flowing to pre-treatment system will be:
(60g/pe)/200 =300 mg/l and with assumption that
30% this BOD will be reduced at pre-treatment unit,
Co = 0.7 x 300 210 mg/l

Subsurface Flow

Surface flow

Qd = 200 pe x 200l/pe = 40 m3/d

Often greater operating

cost

Generally lower installation

costs

Ah = [40ln (210/20)]/0.1 =940 m2

Clogging happens

Simple hydraulic (no

clogging)

More effective per unit

area i.e. it needs less
space

Needs More space (land)

No/Less odour

Odours is likely to happen

c) Bed slope < 2%

Possibly fewer
mosquitoes

Possibly more mosquitoes

d) Media depth should allow water to flow 0.15 m

from the surface

It is necessary to remember that:

a) Horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands
are designed based on plug-flow assumption (l/w
=1-5) and
b) In flow Qin and out flow Qout are equal

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

ATC receives training equipment

Worthy Euro 200,000

By Winstone Msuya

t was all jubilation at ATC on

16/08/2013 when a truck carrying a
consignment of training equipment
and tools, donated by the Italian Government through Italian Development
Agency (IDA) under the Technical Education and Labour Market Support
(TELMS) project, was being off-loaded
in front of the ATCs main store.
The Euro 200,000 worthy equipment
and tools were donated as part of the
TELMS project which is aimed at increasing access and improve quality
of teaching and learning using modern training equipment and improved
staff skills; introducing new Labour
Market driven cross cutting technologies and engineering programmes; researching and boasting existing partnerships and linkage with the Tanzania
Industry through innovative technical
programmes; and giving special consideration and priority for women to

10

participate in technology and engineering.

Some of the Electronics and Telecommunication equipment donated by
TELMS
The beneficiaries of these tools and
equipment include the Automotive,
Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Transportationengineering departments.
The Automotive engineering department received a state of the art computerized vehicle diagnostic kit which
will greatly improve the practical train-

Some of the Electronics and Telecommunication

equipment donated by TELMS

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

ing in its two workshops and benefit

customers who need quality car repair
and maintenance services. The Civil
and Transportation engineering departments will share among them various laboratory equipment including
Direct Shear Test Machine and its Accessories. The Mechanical engineering department received four complete
sets of PLC Workstation with Process
Simulators that will effectively improve
the training of Mechatronics. Lastly it
is the Electrical engineering department, which by large received a lions
share. They got various electonics and
telecommunications equipment that
will make their laboratories one of the
best Tanzania.
The arrival of these tools and equipment is yet another testmony that ATC
is committed to its endeavor to play a
leading role in training highly skilled
and knowledgeable graduates who can
cope with the ever changing technology. The Rector and the ATC community at large is taking this opportunity
to thank and congratulate the Italian
government through the TELMS Project Manager, Dr. Daniele Passalaqua
for taking a leading role in ensuring
ATC is fulfilling its Vision and Mission..

Auto-Trans.Vehicle
ECT /OD Button Application.
By David Raymond

CT stands for Electronically Controlled Transmission. When you

push the button in, there should be
a light on the dash board that indicates
ECT POWER. This changes the normal
shift times (based on engine vacuum,
rpm, and throttle position) to a later
point.

This simply means that, the engine rpms

will go higher before shifting to a higher
gear when youre accelerating. When
engaged, the transmission shifts later,
allowing the engine to get to a higher
power level and accelerate faster. Gas
mileage is usually reduced in this mode.
Use it only when you need to get up to
speed faster; for example, to merge into
fast moving traffic. The normal position
for this switch is OFF.
In Freelander vehicles the button has
ECT/SNOW mode. The Snow mode
starts the transmission in 2nd gear rather
than first so that the wheels dont have
quite as much torque and are less likely
to spin in inclement weather. Secondly,
it changes the whole shift pattern of
the transmission, particularly when
accelerating from a start or when passing.
It has the transmission change into higher
gears earlier so that, again, when it is bad

conditions you are less likely to spin the

tires each time the transmission shifts
up and when you go into a passing gear,
it down-shifts only one rather than the
usual two 2 gears so that you dont have
as dramatic a change in the power going
to the wheels.
O/D stands for Over-Drive this is a 4th
gear on the transmission that will engage
when you are going above about 35 mph/
56kmh, that lets the engine operate at
a lower speed (RPMs) when all it has to
do is maintain a high speed when you
are going over flat, even highway. This
improves fuel economy.
Technically, any transmission gear with a
ratio of less than 1:1 is considered OverDrive. O/D can normally be left ON
except when going up a gradual hill where
the overdrive tends to not give the engine
enough power to maintain a steady
speed. This may cause the transmission
to annoyingly hunt between 3rd and
4th gear. When O/D is switched OFF there
should be a light on the dash board that
says O/D OFF.
O/D OFF essentially suppresses the
automatic shifting on your car, and
lets you use the gears as if it were like a
manual (note, like a manual,, but not
exactly). For instance a vehicle is a 4-gear
auto transmission and have D, 2 and L; so
if the button O/D (switched off) engaged,
L = 1st gear, 2 = 2nd gear, D = 3rd gear,
and the 4th gear is only engageable if you
switch the button on. Otherwise each of
these are the highest gear your car will
go in, but it will drop to a lower gear if
necessary. (O/D OFF, and the gear lever is
in 2 position, this will limit you to the 1st
and 2nd gears of your auto transmission)

be better able to accelerate past the

other car.

Press the button when entering the

expressway. As explained above, this
will make it easier to efficiently accelerate
up to cruising speed.
3 Engage the button when exiting the
expressway. Click the button just as
you turn onto the exit ramp, and let the
engine help slow you down. Brakes have a
greater tendency to overheat when used
at high speed. Using the O/D lockout
button will help to slow you down to a
lower speed, at which point you can use
your brakes.

Press the button when going up a long,

shallow grade on the expressway. In
such situation, sometimes the automatic
transmission will fail to shift down soon
enough, causing you to lose power.
Engage the O/D lockout to force the car
into thrid gear.

Engage the O/D lockout button when

going down a long hill to help keep
you from gaining too much speed. If the
hill is steep, you may even need to shift
the car down into second gear with the
shifter. This will help prevent overheating
your breaks.

Instructions on the use of (O/D ON)

Press the button when passing

another car on the highway. When
passing another vehicle in an automatic
transmission car, it is sometimes difficult
to get the car to accelerate fast enough.
Try clicking the overdrive button. By
forcing the car into third gear, your
engine will gain more toque and thereby
October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

11

ATC STAFF

r
e
u
q
Con

Mount Meru
Pole, pole the guide chants as we start our Journey
facing the slopes of Mount Meru. It starts with buffaloes;
dark, short and endless captivate stares.
By Gasto Leseiyo

he path begins with an open field

and we walk amongst the herd of
buffaloes. The guide insists that
they do not attack as a group but one
should be cautious of a lone buffalo for
they are prone to charging and in such
instance one must lie down and not
run away. You cannot outrun a buffalo,
he insists. He then ordered us to follow
what he says, as he quotes some statis-

12

tics indicating that the highest attacks

caused by animal on human are from
buffaloes. Our hearts start beat very
fast and our steps become light.
We are group of 13. (Gasto Leseiyo,
Joseph Kotini, David Raymond, Pascal
Jao, Shahzmin Premji, Nichodemus
Msafiri, James Mmari, Dotto Joseph,
Fregrence Ngowi, Severino Selestine,

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

Day 2
The next day we assemble at the start of the
next route we pray and start our next journey. We climb to the big valley, then up to the
saddle area. Our goal is Saddle Hut. There we
will relax for a while and then continue hiking
up to Little Meru. We stay overnight in Saddle
hut and sleep early because we will get up
again very soon.
We will have hiked about 5 hours and
reached a height of 3570m by the end of the
day.

Summit Day
We get up at midnight and after a light
breakfast we are ready for our ascent to the
summit. The trail is steep and rocky it will
take us 5-6 hours to reach Meru Peak, the
second highest peak in Tanzania at 4566m.
Finally after, a series of seemingly endless
climbs we finally saw the flag and our energy
was revived.

Mzee Makumulo, and Rehemael Anael,

) We call ourselves the winning team
and some of us mock the mountain
that they will climb it for a day instead
of three or four days as we hurry away
from the open field up a small incline
that is forested and full of mysterious
plants that the guide knows by names,
indicating their usage.

As we start to wonder when we shall

arrive at the first Hut we see a wooden
backyard stand peeping above us and
we are relieved. We have reached Miriakamba Hut

We thank God for making us reach the Top as

there was no sign of human life and none of
his sounds , except ours, just the sky, the sun,
the sea of cloud under our feet, Mt Kilimanjaro to the east and our mountain Meru. Seeing all these splendid stuff; we glorify God for
his wonderful works.

As we start to wonder when we shall arrive at the first Hut

we see a wooden backyard stand peeping above us and we
are relieved. We have reached Miriakamba Hut

We go through a series of grassy

walkways and forested inclines
and finally encounter a river. The
river runs silently, no sharper
sound to it as what we would expect of buzzing of the bee. Trees
surrounded the forest, giving it
an indistinct feeling.

Steeper Route
The route runs steep and our
stories and laughter fade, it
become harder to stare at the
environment and we end up
watching our steps, mindful to
stay on the track and not to
deviate into the bush.

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

13

Success Story

Eng. Kottini:
Automotive dream realized
Eng. Joseph Kottini is one of the alumni of the Arusha Technical College
formerly known as Technical College Arusha (TCA). He graduated in 1989 with
full Technician Certificate in Automotive Engineering. Our staff writer Gasto
Leseiyo interviewed him recently on his experiences at ATC.
Q: Tell us about your early life?
A: I was born in 1961 at Nyaburundu village in Musoma,
Mara region. I started standard one- 1972-1978 at
Gongoni Primary School in Tabora. In 1979-1982 I joined
Ifunda Technical Secondary school, a special school by then
where I took Mechanical Engineering with specialization in
Automotive Engineering.
In 1983-1986, I joined the then TCA (Now ATC) where I took
Automotive Engineering. In 1986-1987, I joined
JKT at Massange in Tabora for National
Service. Thereafter, I joined TANAPA
as senior Technician in Automotive
Department
at
Serengeti
National Park in 1987.
In 1989 I rejoined TCA (now
ATC) not as a student but
this time as a Grade IIIA
teacher. I went for further
studies i.e. diploma course
in Technical Education at
Dar es Salaam Technical
College (DTC).
Between 1991-1993 I went
to Germany for Advanced
Training
in
Automotive
Engineering. Upon my return
to Tanzania in 1993, I went to

14

Complete Diploma in Technical Education at Klerru

Teachers Technical Colle
In 2002-2005, I returned at Dar es Salaam Institute of
Technology (DIT) to take advanced Diploma in Mechanical
Engineering then for Bachelors Degree in Automotive
Engineering at National Transport Institute (NIT) between
2009-2013.
Currently, Im a Workshop Manager in the
Automotive Engineering Department
at Arusha Technical College.

Students are making Head Lamps Beam

setter Machine as directed by Eng.
Joseph kottini

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

Q2: What are your

tasks
at
Arusha
Technical College?
Im still teaching
at the department
of
Automotive,
planning
and
supervising
all activities at
the
Automotive
Engineering
workshop. Also, I
provide
consultancy
services in the automotive
field at the College.

Q3: Why did you choose to major in automotive

engineering and NOT in any other technical
discipline?
It is simple. When he was young I was interested
more in cars and my dream was to become a driver. It
reached a point when I was dreaming to make a car that
could fly like aero plane. In short I can say automotive
engineering was flowing in my blood.

Q4: Have you ever thought of giving up?

In my entire life is all about struggling. Ive never
given up and my above short history can justify what
Im telling you.

Q5: Is there any challenge in your daily activities?

Yes! Managing such a huge automotive workshop
someone has to burn the candle in both ends. It is very
hectic because all students from first year to third year
need to pass in the automotive workshops for skills
acquirement. But I thank God that I can handle this and
other challenges because at ATC we work as a team.

Students are trained how to use Computerized Diagnostic

Instrument by Eng. Joseph Kottini

Q6: A word to students willing to become

automotive engineers
Vehicles need people who are careful because they
carry people and valuable property. Automotive
industry needs youths because it keeps changing
every day due to advancement of technology and other
innovations hence theyve to work hard if they want to
realize their dreams.

Students are setting Dynamic Ignition Timing Using Stroboscope under Supervision of Eng. Joseph Kottini

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

15

Pictorial
The Vice President
of the URT. H.E Dr.
Mohamed Gharib
Bilal greets the
Arusha Technical
Colleges Rector,
Eng. Dr. Richard
Masika on arrival at
Arusha Airport for
CAPA International
Conference organized
by ATC November
2013. Next him
is Rector of the
National Institute of
Transport (NIT), Eng.
Dr. Zacharia M. D.
Mganilwa

Women Staff at
Arusha Technical
chasing a Hen
during the ATC
Family day held June
2014 at the college
Campus

Two JICA Irrigation

Advisors from Arusha
Technical College (ATC)
Mr. Kakashi Katsumi
and Nobuyoshi Fujiwara
looking at the Soil
samples taken from the
Bore hore site at ATCOljoro Irrigation Training
Farm. Standing Looking
is the Deputy HoD of Civil
Mr.Humuri K. Haymale

16

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

Corner

The Electrical Engineering Department (EED) Staff celebrate with their fellow staff
David Mangehe after beating the Mechanical Engineering Department during the
ATC Family Bonaza held June 2014. The EED emerging the Overall winner of the
Departmental Football Competition

ATC- Staff Football Team

pose for group photo
during the AUWSA
Bonanza held at General
Tyre grounds recently. ATC
beats Arusha All Stars 3-2

Dr. Odongo Odiyo, from

Central and Southern
Africa Health Community,
Delivering a Public
Lecture on Cancer to
Arusha Technical College
Students during the Cancer
Awareness Month on 3rd
October, 2014

Deputy Rector
Academics, Research
and Consultancy, Eng.
Dr. Masudi Senzia gives
his closing remarks at
during the closing of the
Entrepreurship Course
conducted to ATC Staff
organized by PUM

Arusha Technical College

Female Staff carry a
Banner with a theme
Chochea Mabadiliko
kuleta uswa wa Kijinsia
to mark International
Womens Day on 8th
March, 2014.

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

17

ATC comes with

affordable

hydro-power generator
In the year 2011 there was a great power blackout. It
was a time when people Could stay for up to 11 hours
with no electricity. This was actually what made us to
think about the solution for this problem,
By Gasto Leseiyo

igher learning education institutions in Tanzania have the role to

produce specialists of different
fields. Moreover, the institutions have
great chances to solve various challenges that face this nation. For this reason,
Arusha Technical College (ATC) has successfully used skills and knowledge of its
students and their lecturers to innovate
simple technologies to solve the electricity shortage in rural setting.

Engineer Urbanus Melkior is the Head

of Electricity Engineering Department
at the College who believes that if students and their academicians work together they can solve the electricity
problem facing many villages in Tanzania. In translating this idea into reality,
the engineer says that, ATC has come
up with a simple machine for producing electricity which has been branded
as Mini hydro Turbines. The good news

about this technology is that, amid the

shortage of water on the earth surface,
it uses very little water to generate power!
Cross flow turbine Runner fabricated
at ATC Mechanical Engineering Workshop
In the year 2011 there was a
great power blackout. It
was a time when people
Could stay for up to
11 hours with no
electricity. This
was actually
what made
us to think
about the
solution for
this problem, says
the Head.
Explaining
the processes that enabled this idea
to materialize,
Eng. Melkior says
his Department in
collaboration with
Mechanical Engineering Department managed
to come up with the machine which was installed at
Makumira in Arumeru district.
The Mini hydro Turbines, according to Eng. Melkior, can
produce electricity using little
water. To assure how effective
the technology is, estimated 20
households are beneficiaries of
this simple technology.
What we are doing is to Construct the
machine and install where there is a
need. After that, we handover to the villagers to operate and maintain it, he
adds.

The Prime of the URT, Hon. Mizengo Pinda receives explanation from Arusha Technical Colleges Staff,
Frank Moshi (1st left) on how the Min-hydro Turbine works when he visited the College 2011. Behind
the Prime Minister is the Arusha Regional Commissioner, Hon. Magesa Stanslaus Mulongo.

18

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

After installing the machine, the next

activity is to let water enter in it or reduce water from it. Also the care taker of
machine should make sure that the friction part of machine is lubricated. Anybody can do this works, he explains.
Apart from Makumira, other areas

where such technology is installed are

Morogoro, Iringa , Katavi, Njombe and
Ruvuma.
A Min- hydropower Turbine designed by
ATC under Performance test
The motive behind
The innovation of the machine
which has proved to be more
economical for the
lower income communities in the
rural
setting
has motivated students
to
invent
variety of
technologies purposely to
help the
s o c i e t y.
In
our
department, we
have
18
students
who
have
chosen to become innovators.
After class hours,
they remain at the
workshop,
scratching
their heads to come up with
something tangible that can
help the community, says the
engineer.
He adds, now they have invented the device that can kill
mosquitoes, device for searching
minerals and a simple technology for producing chickens.

A Min- hydropower Turbine designed by ATC under Performance test

novate anything that when sold, can

cover all cost of his/her tuition fees.
According to him, this initiative will not
only help students while they are at the
campus but also after their studies at
ATC. The innovation spirit, according to
the academician, will refute the mindset
of most of graduates that employment
is everything and embark on self-employment because they can innovate.
Cross -flow turbine Runner fabricated
at ATC Mechanical Engineering
Workshop

The Head of Department believes that

students are doing great because they
have been given freedom. When the
freedom is used effectively, something
great can be invented; indeed the ATC
students are devoted to do so for the
communitys betterment.
Engineer Melkior went on explaining
the plans to encourage innovation in
Electrical Engineering Department by
saying, since the beginning of this semester, every student is required to in-

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

19

New employees at ATC

Mr. Seba A. Maginga has

joined ATC as Instructor I
in Automotive Engineering
Department

Michael Shundi has joined

ATC as Instructor I in the
Electrical Engineering
Department

Elineema W. Msuya has

joined ATC as Tutorial
Assistant in the Civil
Engineering Department

Ambrose Ghwanga has

joined ATC as tutorial
Assistant in the General
Studies Department

Deus Michael has joined

ATC as Tutorial Assistant
in the Civil Engineering
Department

Ms. Mbula B. Kidesu has

Joined ATC as Instructor
II in the Automotive
Engineering Department

Juma Said has joined ATC

as Tutorial Assistant in the
Transportation Engineering
Department

Kanyika C. Lusato has

joined ATC as Tutorial
Assistant in the Civil
engineering Department

Bahati Kamwela has

joined ATC as Instructor II
in the ICT Department

Said Issa has joined ATC

as Tutorial Assistant in
the Civil Engineering
Department

Anold Seleman has joined

ATC as Instructor I in the
ICT Department

Kefa G.Mkongwa has

joned ATC as Assistant
Lecturer in the Electrical
Engineering Department

John C. Kisiri has joined

ATC as Instructor II in the
ICT Department

Kastuli J. Lulu has joined

ATC as Game Tutor I
in the Administration
Department

Kelvin O. Sanga has joined

ATC as Internal Auditor

John P. Gunda has joined

ATC as Instructor II in the
Automotive Engineering
Department

Sithole E. Mwakatage has

joined ATC as Assistant
Lecturer in the electrical
engineering Department

Juma P. Kasekwa has

joined ATC as Instructor
II in the Electrical
Engineering Department

Lufunyo Lupenza has

Joined ATC as tutorial
Assistant in the Electrical
Engineering Department

Bahati Samwel Sulle has

joined ATC as Instructor
II in the Transportation
Engineering Department

John Mwita Mgoge has

joined ATC as Tutorial
Assistant in the General
Studies Department

Ally M. Ngulugulu has

joined ATC as Instructor
II in the Electrical
Engineering Department

Labani M. Kanyonga has

joined ATC as Tutorial
assistant in the General
Studies Department

Cyliacus Selestine has

joined ATC as Tutorial
Assistant in the Civil
Engineering Department

Castory A. Mkumba
has joined ATC as
Senior Instructor I in the
Automotive Engineering
Department

20

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

Staff Development

Sospeter I. Isambula has

joined ATC as Instructor
I in the General Studies
Department

Peter Simalike has joined

ATC as Instructor I in the
ICT Department

Baraka G. Mtakati has

joined ATC as tutorial
Assistant in the ICT
Department

Sadati Abdallah has joined

ATC as Senior Estate Officer

William Mpepo has joined

ATC as Senior Planning
Officer

Mr. Said H. Bungara

is currently Pursuing
Masters Degree in
Structural Engineering
at the University of Dar
es Salaam. Mr. Bungara
holds a BSc. In Civil and
Structural Engineering
from University of Dar es
Salaam

Mr. Moses Kirumbi is

currently Pursuing Masters
Degree in sustainable
Energy, Science and
Engineering at the Nelson
Mandela Institute of
Science and Technology

Mr. Shomari Hassan is

now the New Head of Civil
Engineering Department
with effect from 1st
February 2014

Mr. Halidini H. Sarakikya

is currently pursuing PhD
in Sustainable Energy
Engineering at the Jomo
Kenyatta University
of Agriculture and
Technology. Mr. Sarakikya
holds a Masters Degree in
Electrical Power Systems
and High Voltage from the
University of Dar es Salaam

Mr. Victor Meena is

currently pursuing PhD in
Construction Management
at the Jomo Kenyatta
University of Agriculture
and Technology. Mr. Meena
a holds Masters degree in
Project Management

Mr. Sebastian Qanne Slaa

is now the head of General
Studies Department with
effect from 12th February
2014

Mr. Rustus Assey currently

pursuing PhD in Computer
Science at the University
of Dodoma. Mr. Assey
holds a Masters degree in
Computer Science from
the University of PuneIndia

Mr. Bovia Edwin is

currently Pursuing
Bachelors Degree in
Automotive engineering
at the National Institute of
Transport.

Mr. Humuri K. Haymale

is now the Deputy Head
of Civil Engineering
Responsible for Civil and
Irrigation Engineering
Program with effect from
1st February 2014.

Masudi Mbelwa has joined

ATC as Technician I in the
Electrical Engineering
Department

ATC Mourns Diseased

Staff

The late Daniel

Msuliche
Arusha Technical
College (ATC) staff were
recently faced with
shock when one of the
Colleague passed away
leaving them with Sad
Memories.

Augustino Robert has

joined ATC as Senior
Procurement& Logistics
Officer II

Appointments

This is Mr. Daniel

Msuliche who passed
away on 24th April
2013 in a fateful
Road Accident. The
late Msuliche was
Technician in the
Automotive Engineering
Department.
May his Soul Rest in
Eternal Peace!

Mr. Nzoshe A. Baraka

is currently Pursuing
Masters Degree in Life and
Environmental Science at
university of Tsukuba in
Japan.

Mr. Josephat D. Sengura

has been appointed as
Coordinator in- charge for
Entrepreneurship Center
with effect from 13th
March, 2014.
Contd pg 22>>>

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

21

<<< Contd pg 21

Appointments

o
Sto r ies
Ms. Donatha Mwase
has been appointed
as Coordinator for
Entrepreneurship Center
with effect from 13th
March, 2014.

Three Engineers
There are three engineers in a car: an electrical engineer, a chemical
engineer and a Microsoft engineer. Suddenly the car engine shuts off,
leaving the three engineers stranded by the side of the road. All three
engineers looked at each other wondering what could be wrong. The
electrical engineer suggests stripping down the electronics of the car and
trying to trace where the fault might have occurred.

Pascal Jao has been

appointed as Students
Loan Officer with effect
from 1st January 2014

The chemical engineer, not knowing much about cars, suggests that
maybe the fuel is becoming emulsified and getting blocked somewhere.
Then, the Microsoft engineer, not knowing much about anything, comes
up with a suggestion, Why don`t we close all the windows, get out, get back
in, open the windows again, and maybe it`ll work!?

An Engineer and a Lawyer

Mr. Athumani Omari has
been appointed as Deputy
Head of General Studies
Department with effect
from 29th August 2014.

An engineer and a lawyer attended an interview separately. The

Engineer was asked:
If ten men cleared one hectare of land in ten hours how many hours would
five men require clearing the same piece of land?
The engineer answered: If ten men cleared one hectare for ten hours,
then one man would re quire 10 X 10 hours. Therefore five men
would require 10x10 divided by 5 i.e 20hours.

Mr. Seba A. Maginga

has been appointed as
Deputy Head of Continuing
Education Department
with effect from 29th
August 2014.

22

The lawyer was asked the same

question and he answered: If ten
men cleared one hectare of land for ten
hours, then there would be no piece of
land for any man to clear. Therefore five men would
require zero hour.

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

The Automotive
Engineering
Department Staff
and students in
a Joyous Mode
after winning the
2014 InterDepartmental Cup

Avith Scores Thrice as Automotive lift

2014 Inter-Departmental Sports Cup

By Gasto Leseiyo

he Automotive Engineering Department has won the 2014 Inter-Departmetal Sports Competition Cup after 3-1 win
over Mechanical engineering Department in the final at ATC sports ground.

Best Player, Avith

Kandubuka(left),
receives his prize
from the Arusha
Technical Colleges
Rector, Dr. Richard
Masika (right)

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

23

Contd from pg 23

The Champion,
the Automotive
Engineering
Department
prizes

he Automotive forward Avith

Kandubuka was Departmentals
hero, after netting unforgettable
hat-trick against Mechanical Engineering Department team to bring his team a
trophy for the first time.
He started his scoring mission against
Mechanical Department in the first
half after scoring two goals to give the
Mechanical goalkeeper Amadeus Shoo
No chance.
Mechanical scorer Johannes Jonas
continued to torment the automotive
deference, but to no avail, cheered on by
the home fans, Avith made it 3-1in the
second half with a good ground shot.
I am so happy to score three goals in the
tournament and lead automotive team
to victory Avith told the reporter after
the final Match.
It had taken Automotive team many
years to win the Inter-Departmental
sports Competition organized each year
by College Management, a point the
Department Head was aware of. This is
great and I praise the players for the job
well done said Mr. Abdu Semvua

I am so happy to score three

goals in the tournament and
lead automotive team to
victory

24

The second winner, the Mechanical engineering Department receives goat Prize

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

ATC FIRST BATCH 2013

Bachelors Degree in Civil and Irrigation Engineering

Fredy Edwin Mboye

Cyliacus Selestine

Ahmad Kivambe

Marichela Maisha

Philemon John

Goodluck Swai

Julius Malimbwi

Juma A. Foum

Maxmillian Joseph

Saidi Issa

Chagula J Mihayo

Jefta Julius

Musa S.Kupaza

Mohamed Ulenga

Salvatory E.Matemu

Asmin Turra

John Stephano

Lupyana Haule

Nehemiah Chacha

Solomon Raphaely

Drip Irrigation:
Willison Munenwa

every drop counts

By Gasto Leseiyo

here is no doubt that, water has become a very crucial element vital to
life on earth. Every farmer, weather
small-scale or larger- scale knows quite
well that if there is no water, there are no
plants growing and so there is no food.
Water is therefore an essential resource to
farmers. Its management to a great extent
determines how successful a farming
enterprise is or can be. Many farmers in
Tanzania and Arusha in particular depend
on rain to satisfy the water requirements of
their farms.
Unfortunately due to the climatic changes
fuelled by global warming, this rainfall is

often low, erratic and unreliable and since

water availability is the limiting factor
to plant growth. Indeed, this is a time
farmers get involved into alternative way
to minimize risks on rain-fed agriculture.
More and more farmers need to be aware
of these problems and installing irrigation
systems on their farms.
The most reliable and more economical
irrigation technology is Drip Irrigation, a
highly efficient way to water; it saves time
and helps to conserve precious supplies
of clean water. Studies show that a welldesigned drip system uses at least 30
percent and in some cases 50 percent
less water than other methods
of watering
October
- March 2014

such as sprinkling. This is because a drip

Irrigation system delivers water directly to
the root zone of the plant, where it seeps
slowly, into the soil, one drop at a time.
Almost no water is lost through surface
runoff or evaporation and soil particles
have plenty of opportunity to absorb and
hold water for plants. It also means very few
nutrients leach down beyond the reach of
the plant roots.
Furthermore, since drip irrigation delivers
water directly to the plant less water is
wasted on weeds. The water surfaces
between the plants also remain drier, which
discourages weed seeds from sprouting.
atc Newsletter

25Contd pg 25>>>

<<<Contd pg 25

Drip Irrigation:
every drop counts
Why Drip Irrigation?
Drip irrigation permits you to produce
crops the whole year-much more than
the rain fed irrigation it has many other
advantages such as:
It is very efficient; this is because
water soaks into the soil before it can
evaporate or run off
Water is supplied to the soil around
the plant. This means that less water is
wasted, while high moisture conditions
are maintained close to the roots of
the plant. This makes drip irrigation
appropriate for area where water is
scarce.
Drip Irrigation is easy to install and
can be inexpensive if locally available
material are used
It allows you to add soluble nutrients
into the water, so they can be fed
directly. This economizes on your
fertilizer use.
It gives a higher yield because you can
plant on both sides of the pipe
It helps reduce diseases associated with
excess moisture on some plants
Drip irrigation can be used in fields that
have uneven landscape
It decrease weed populations. Since
water is applied close to the roots of the
plants, the soil surface between rows is
dry, so the weeds cannot grow.
The drip irrigation system does the
watering without labor and reduces
costs
Criteria for choosing Drip Irrigation

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Prof. Sifuni Mchome (c )
listening tentatively to Arusha Technical College Students who explains to him how drip Irrigation method
works during his recent visit at the Institution. On the right side looking is the Rector of ATC, Eng. Dr. Richard
Masika.

system for small scale farmers

Using clean water is very important in Drip
Irrigation. Water from the ponds, rivers and
wells may contain some particles that can
block the holes that release water to the
plants. Hence it necessary to have filter to
remove these particles. The best way, for
small scale farmers who cannot afford to
own filter at beginning, is to let water run
through a piece of cotton or socks when
filling the bucket or drum.
The Bucket Kit System:
This system is ideal for growing vegetables
in small home gardens during the long dry
season. The bucket kit consists of fittings
and 30 meters of irrigation drip tape
connected to a 20 litre bucket. The bucket
is placed at least 1 meter above the ground
so that the gravity provides enough water
pressure to ensure even water for the
entire crop.
Water is poured into the bucket twice
daily and passes through a filter, it fills the
drip tape and evenly distributed to 100
watering points. The multi-chambered
plastic drip tape is engineered to dispense

Drip
Irrigation as
it is a highly
efficient way
to water; it
saves time
and helps
to conserve
precious
supplies of
clean water.
Bucket drip is the simplest system

26

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

water through openings spaced at 30 cm.

A seedling is planted at each wet spot so
that all the moisture is absorbed directly
by the plant roots.
The Drum irrigation System
The drum system will cover a garden 6.5
metres wide and 16 metres long. The drum
kit is used to cover five planting beds and
therefore the plant population depends on
the type of crops grown. Water is supplied
from a 200-litre drum that is fixed on a
platform at a height of at least 1 metre
above the ground.
The 1/8 farm system
This system covers 1/8 of an acre (a
15 metre x 30 metre plot). A platform
2 metres high is constructed to create
enough water pressure. A drum with a
capacity of 1000 litres would be ideal to
supply enough water per day.
Recommendation to the
Government:
Since water has become a scarce
commodity, Government through the
Ministry of Agriculture can introduced
cost sharing for farmers in
the installation of drip/micro
irrigation systems. This will
improved crop yield, less
applied water and will reduce
subsurface draining water
and surface tail water. Hence
benefits farmers.

Female Student from Transportation Engineering

in Practical session off class hours

migrate from rural to urban area each year

the production in the area declined. Also
the products produced are not processed
(Value added) hence are sold at a low
price which cannot meet production cost
leaving rural residents in poverty.

Role of technical institutions in

The Government through TVET has

to do research on small machines like
packaging machines, milling machines,
milk and food processors, shoes making,
and others for value addition to farm
products. These value addition machines
have to be installed at least at district level
for value addition creating employment
hence stopping migration of people from
rural to urban and increase income from
agricultural products.

promoting innovations
By Urbanus Melkior

ational Council for Technical Education (NACTE) has so far registered 323 technical institutions
which offer technical skills from NTA level
4 to 8. These institutions have developed
their own curriculum after conducting
situation analysis for the skills that will be
offered.
Also NACTE validates the curricular
as well as recognizing the capacity for
these technical institutions in running
the programs. Furthermore, Ministry of
Education and Vocation Training, through
its directorate of Vocational Training, has
so far registered 819 both public and
private VET providers.
Most of these technical and VET
(TVET) institutions have workshops
and laboratories which were equipped
in 1990s. Today there is a number of
advancement in technology with more
less or no investment in workshops and
laboratories training facilities which
resulted in the production of graduates
with skill gaps. The skill gaps force our
graduates to seek jobs rather than
creating jobs for others, consequently
resulting to unemployment situation for
the most of them.

Tanzania is losing large amount of

domestic revenue due to importation of
substandard and counterfeit products.
Popular counterfeit products include
cloths, mobile phones, building material
and foot-wear. Others that may be
harmful as recognized worldwide are
human and veterinary pharmaceuticals,
electrical goods, specialized technical
items and components, cosmetics, eyewear including sunglasses. Most of these
counterfeit products are not necessarily
imported but can be fabricated in the
country only if the TVET institutions train
using high Tech training facilities as well
as researching on small machines which
should increase employment in terms of
value addition to products.
As trained and skilled TVET graduates

Female Student in the Mechanical Engineering Workshop

Further to that, TVET institutions

have to train the graduates on Biogas
technology. The Government has to
promote it by paying construction
cost while the farmers have to buy
construction material. These will attract
the TVET graduate to go back to their
villages promoting biogas technology as
the major source of energy for lighting
and cooking and income generation to
them. These will save sources of water
and forest hence conserving the nature
(no one will cut trees for lighting and
cooking).

In the Science Laboratory

October - March 2014 atc Newsletter

27

A Customer enjoying the

extension of productive
hours with solar lighting

Solar Power in

Tanzania:

Engine for people centered economy

By Gasto Leseiyo

ife without electricity might feel like

prophetic relation or so called the
end time scenario or to the end of the
world in general, but for those living in rural
Tanzania it is a fact of everyday life. According to Ministry of Energy figures of February,
2014, only 24% of the Tanzania population
has access to electricity, rural areas are virtually disconnected from the National grid.
As we know, for any development to take
place electricity is very important and
the evidence is before our eyes every
day. Business requires a steady supply of
energy to produce goods and services
electricity allows school children to study
after sun set and hospitals need it to save
lives. Insufficient or irregular energy supply
is associated with significant economic
cost for business and households. Lack of
access to clean energy also creates myriad
of health and environmental hazards
such indoor pollution from cooking on
traditional open- fire stoves and
deforestation.
Benefit of Solar
Power:
Solar energy can be
well established
in many rural
areas and can be

Solar Power can be used in

rural areas to pump water for
Irrigation

28

the range of economical applications for

solar water pumps, enabling farmers to
irrigate crops.
Following successful implementation, solarpowered lighting enables shopkeepers to
conduct business for longer time without
resorting to dangerous, naked-flame
light sources. Schools and clinics can run
refrigeration and telecommunications.
Rural electrification means that residents
can safely gather during the hours of
darkness and children can study longer.
Communities can power perimeter security
and support emergency medical care.

Traffic lights power by Solar power

used for power generation, water heating,

detoxification, telecommunications and
transport at an industrial level; water
pumping, vaccine refrigeration and
electrification; lighting, cooking and
running of modern appliances at domestic
level.
With the potential to enhance both
social and economic aspects of village
life in remote areas, rural solar
electrification faces very
different
challenges
to those faced by
urban projects. Food
preservation
and
pumping systems
reduce hunger and
improve
access
to safe drinking
water
respectively.
Recent solar-panel cost
reductions have broadened

atc Newsletter October - March 2014

Workshops, small scale industry can be built

as a result of increasing job opportunities
in the rural setting. This can however
avert the current rural-urban migration
trend because young people who majority
are unemployed in urban can stay in their
respective areas and engage in production.
Solar power for
charging cell phone
in rural Africa