Keynote Speaker: Professor Elifas Tozo Bisanda

Professor Elifas Tozo Bisanda has been the Vice-Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) since 3 June 2015. Before his appointment, Prof Bisanda, who is a professor of mechanical engineering, was OUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Regional Services for two years (2007–2009) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academics for six years (2009–2015). Prior to joining OUT, Prof Bisanda worked at the University of Dar es Salaam for 20 years (1981–2000), spent three years at the University of Namibia (2000–2003) and four years at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) (2003–2007). He holds a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Bath, UK (1991), an MSc in Metallurgical Engineering from Cranfield University, UK (1984), and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dar es Salaam (1981). He is a registered professional engineer, as well as a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Tanzania and a Fellow of the Tanzania Academy of Sciences (TAAS). He has accumulated years of experience in distance education, strategic planning, partnership development, negotiation skills, personnel management, resource mobilisation, institutional management, academic audit, quality assurance, photography, desktop publishing and multimedia integration in online teaching and learning. He is an expert in renewable energy, and has done research related to micro-hydropower, biogas, wind power, solar power and zero emissions. He has published more than 60 papers in journals and conference proceedings.

Prof Bisanda is a Board member for the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), representing the Eastern Africa region. He is also a member of the Executive Board of the Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA).