Speech from IET 24th President, 6th December, 2024.

President of the Institution of Engineers Tanzania, Eng Dr Gemma Modu, Past Presidents of our Institution, Outgoing and incoming Vice Presidents of the Institution, Outgoing and incoming Council members, Fellow Engineers
Ladies and gentlemen. 

We have now come to an end of our AGM, which also marks an end of the 23rd Council of IET, hence the beginning of the 24th Council, which you have just elected.  I have been part of the 23 Council under the esteemed leadership our first female President Eng. Dr. Gemma Modu, with whom I served as Vice President. I therefore would like to thank you President, fellow vice presidents and all members of the previous council, for their time, resources and effort in serving our Institution.  It has been an honour and privilege to have worked together and I want to commend you all. Furthermore, I want to thank you for the trust in me, our Vice Presidents and the entire council, to form the leadership team in the 24 Phase of the Institution. 

Our institution faces various challenges which are complex and tough, but tough as they can be, still, they are not insurmountable. It requires dedication, seriousness and working together as a TEAM to move IET from where it is today to the next level.  On behalf of the Council, I pledge that we will do our best to serve our institution at our turn. Institutions’ leadership is like a relay race, (Mbio za kupokeza kijiti), we run by giving the best in us, for our IET; and when our leg is done, we pass on to others, just as we have received from others. I therefore call upon all council members, leaders of Chapters, Divisions and Branches, that let us work together to strengthen the Institution and the profession so that we can overcome the challenges and continue to be relevant to our Nation.

During the 23rd Council, we spent much of our time reviewing challenges which the Institution is facing.  We further identified strategic issues for which we developed a Strategic plan for 2024 to 2028.  I am pleased to comment that, it is a masterpiece which should be our key agenda during our tenure, therefore, we will make sure that is implemented.  If we can achieve even a half of the action plan which has been developed, IET would be a very different organisation.  The strategic plan is what I would regard as our Manifesto, against which, the 24th Council of IET, we will be judged against, at the end of our tenure.

Our constitution was last revised in 2012 as the fifth revision. Since then, relevance and approach to some aspects necessitates a re-look in appropriateness to our times. As an example:

• The way we conduct our elections may need a review. We can make our elections more competitive.
• Roles which a member can hold during the term, may need to be checked, so that some natural volunteers and hardworking engineers aren’t overloaded hence in the process, widen members participation.
• The constitution as it is, does not provide for a guided mix or composition of the Council.  It is important the council has a good mix of skills, gender and sectors.
• We will also revisit some suggestions which have been raised here during the just ended AGM, e.g. the structure (arms of the Institution – chapters, etc).

Section 15 of our constitution – (which guides on the amendments) will be complied with and observed. We will ensure that the process is consultative, therefore please offer your time and thoughts when we come to you.

In closing, I would like to thank you again Madame President Gemma Modu, the Committee of Past Presidents, fellow Council members and all members of the Institution of Engineers Tanzania for the trust in me, and in us at large. As we embark on this journey, I am deeply humbled and inspired by the trust you have placed in us. While yours is the trust in us, ours is an appeal to you. We appeal for your support and cooperation. You can help in shaping IET in many ways: –

– Please pay your membership dues and pay in time,

– When you are invited, or nominated to serve in IET activities, please participate,

– Those with businesses, kindly plan you financial and budget your CSR towards serving and support the profession.

– Furthermore, if each current member in one year, could encourage, advice and mentor just one Engineer to join, then come the end of year, we would be double of the current strength.

– And there are many more other ways, choose a couple and do something for the Institution.

Together, we will be able to forge new paths, elevate the standards of our profession, and strengthen the impact of engineering in shaping our nation’s future. Let us remain united, innovative, and committed to excellence, as we embrace the challenges ahead with determination and purpose. I look forward to serving alongside the council and to build a legacy that will inspire generations to come. 

Having said all that, it is now with honour, humility and dignity that, I formally accept the role and to serve, as the 24th President of the Institution of Engineers Tanzania.

Thank you.