Students Research

MEET SOME OF OUR MSc & PhD STUDENTS.

50 Masters and PhD student under WISE-Futures, all students have completed their coursework and are current at various levels of their research activities, Find out more about their research.

Am Jean Gildas Tapsoba, studying MSc. in Water Supply and Sanitation and my Research Title based on Production of Biogas as a waste management option for textile sludge, A case study of A to Z Textile Mills Ltd.

The aim of this research is to test the biogas production potentials from Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) sludge, as a solution for waste minimization in textile industries. And the expected outcomes of this research are as following, firstly to host institution will benefit from the results, if successful.

First, biogas could be used as an alternative source of energy for the company. Secondly, biogas production using ETP sludge will act as a waste management strategy for the company and eradicate sludge accumulation on the surrounding land. And lastly, to the community, the positive results of this research will contribute to environmental protection, therefore public help protection. This will improve the living environment of the nearby communities.

Am happy and I appreciate the WISE-Futures scholarship since is the greatest contributing to my program. Through their funding, I will be able to perform the activities (fieldwork and laboratory analysis) I have planned. Also, the collaboration between the sponsor and the host institution helps me to undertake some field works, which is beneficial in terms of experience and improving skills.

My name is Hamisi Ally Mrope, studying the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering. My research study is on Investigation and Development of 10kW High Efficiency Cross Flow Hydro turbine.

The main objective of my study is to improve efficiency of cross flow hydro turbine. This will include collecting and analyzing data for design and build of a larger scale cross‒flow hydro turbine model of 10 kW which will have an efficiency of or more than 88%, for rural electrification in Tanzania

Tanzania has a vast hydropower potential which has not been fully taped (Kabaka, 2007). The country has a projected population of 59 million people of which 70% (41 million) reside in the rural areas and 30% (18 million) in the urban areas. Despite that the potential precipitous rivers emanate from the highlands in the rural community, only 7% of the rural communities are connected to electricity supply (URT, 2012).Due to this comparatively low overall rate of electrification, there is a need to build up local capacity addressing all aspects of efficient mini hydropower development in the precipitous rivers for the future. This will benefit poor Tanzanians residing in rural areas, who do not have access to electricity despite the vast hydropower potential.

I appreciate Wise-Futures scholarship has contributed in many ways in order to succeed in my PhD studies. Wise-Futures is paying all my tuitions fee, stationeries, research fund, and leaving allowances in my studies as of now since January 2018. Wise-Futures have enabled me to attend some conferences and different presentations. Wise-Futures in collaboration with Flow Informatics Lab in South Korea initiated a student exchange programmer. I visited South Korea as a beneficiary of this programmer to conduct some part of my research. I stayed in South Korea for four months, designing a cross-flow turbine and conducting numerical simulations

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My name is Acheles Karungi studying MSc. Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering with the research title on Production of Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fuel from sugarcane straw through optimized microwave-assisted alkali pretreatment. ABE is an important biofuel which can be blended with petrol and diesel for reduced gas emissions and improved engine performance.

The aim of my research is to biologically produce ABE fuel from sugarcane straw, also known as sugarcane trash. This is an abundant crop residue which is usually burnt in the pre-harvest or post-harvest of sugarcane around sugar processing industries. The study will also assess the suitability of sugarcane straw derived ABE fuel for blending with petrol and diesel fuels.

I expect that the product of my research will help address the environmental concerns associated with using petroleum fuels and the massive burning of sugarcane wastes. Secondly, the research will contribute knowledge on the potential of sugarcane straw in biofuel production and demonstrate material value addition in sugarcane growing communities. Also, a reduction in sugarcane burning could promote microbial diversity in the soil. Ultimately, the development of ABE fuel can provide an alternative to the dwindling global oil reserves.

The benefits of WISE-Futures have been invaluable and amazing. The support and care displayed by the centre management have not only enabled my access to an enriching learning environment but also a comfortable mode to share knowledge and get motivated in my study. While I pursue MSc in Sustainable Energy under this scholarship, there are less financial concerns and hence I am able to exploit all opportunities of building my knowledge base and potential to foster community development. My experience as a beneficiary gives me a sense of recognition for my accomplishments. This recognition has boosted my confidence to pursue bigger goals in my area of study. On top of sharing my experience with other beneficiaries, I have also had an opportunity to learn from them. On the whole, I am encouraged to contribute to community development.

My name is Jophillene Bejumula studying MSc. Science in Environmental Science and engineering with research title Assessment of bioaccumulation of fluoride in fish grown in fluoride-rich waters case Ngarenanyuki ward.

To investigate the accumulation of fluoride and associated impacts on Tilapia and Cat fish farmed in ponds.

My research will help to explore the extent to which fishes are affected in their growth and development due to fluoride exposures. It will also establish the baseline information for intervention and mitigation fluoride polluted waters. The outcome shall enable fisheries managers and wildlife conservators to opt best approaches to conserve and farm aquatic organisms particularly fish and thus ensure healthily and safety of human communities from high fluoride-rich waters.

Wise -Futures has lighted my hope and fulfilled my passion to take part in conserving our environment for sustainable development. Through WISE – Futures scholarship, i am currently pursuing a Master degree in Environmental Science and Engineering at NM-AIST. This program is enriching me with knowledge, research skills, and experience to innovation and jobs creation in my community.

My name is Sebahire Felicien studying PhD. in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering with the research Title on Optimization of a wastewater treatment system for resource (Biogas, Nutrients, etc.) recovery.

My study aims to generate information that may be useful in wastewater treatment system optimization based on working conditions. The research will, therefore, focus on the optimization of the decentralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS) parameters while maximizing resource recovery. Performance evaluation of existing system, simulation, and modeling of design parameters for optimal working conditions of the pilot system will be done for recovery of both biogas and fertilizers.

The outcome of my research will be used by other researchers and decision makers while they encounter the similar projects of waste and wastewater management. To the community, the study supports and promotes the use of clean and renewable energy under the form of biogas production. It also fights against environmental pollution as wastewaters are well treated prior their disposal. It shows a big picture of how to recover nutrients (N&P) from wastewater treatment thus it enhances agricultural productivity.

The scholarship from WISE-Futures contributes and will contribute a lot to the success of my PhD research through many things: providing trainings through lectures, research fees, career guidance, and academic mentorship.

My name is Joseph John Mollel studying MSc in Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering with the research title on Biomass-derived electrodes for supper capacitor applications and the aim is to fabricate a supper capacitor for energy storage application purposes.

The energy demand has forced the world to look for more sources of energy, and the focus has been towards renewable, but as far as we know renewable sources are intermittent, hence energy storage devices that can meet the required demand is a must, and they should come from clean sources with less effect to environment. The super capacitor have a wide range of application from charge storage for portable devices like telephones, laptop and wearable devices to a large application like electric cars. Can also be applicableas stand by power storages to smoothen power supply process.

I appreciate WISE-Futures as my sponsors, they are the one funding my studies and the research I do, and for me to be able to reach the objectives of my research and be able to come up with the intended device, has been only possible with WISE being in place. Grateful to WISE for their sponsorship in my studies and in my research. The financial support to our studies, ensuring availabilities of equipment in the labs and by creating a harmonized environment for us to do research.

My name is Rosemary Kavishe studying MSc. Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering with the research title based on Assessing on-farm water use efficiency of irrigated paddy-rice in a smallholder irrigation scheme in northern Tanzania. The aim of this study is to explore whether traditional irrigation schemes are inefficient and suggest the best intervention for improving water use efficiency. This research will focus on Understanding the magnitude and dynamics of various components of the water balance such as evaporation, crop transpiration, runoff, deep drainage and soil water storage in the rice field in order to determine what percentage of water is being used by the plants and what percent is “lost”. The information will assist in assessing on-farm Water Use Efficiency in farmer-led irrigated paddy fields.

The purpose of my research study is to come up with a viable option to improve on-farm water use efficiency and water productivity in farmer-led smallholder irrigation schemes. The results obtained from this study will assist farmers and other stakeholders in managing irrigation water efficiently. The results will inform farmers about how much water they have so that the available amount could be shared equitably and sustainably among farmers and the community as a whole, this will assist in reducing the unnecessary application of irrigation water into the field while maintaining optimum growth of crops.

I am honored to be one of the recipients of WISE-Futures scholarship and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to WISE-Futures team. This is the golden opportunity to work on my dream. If not for this scholarship was supposed to wait for another two or three years to be sponsored by employer or I was supposed to take a loan to carter for my education. Apart from providing tuition fees, research funds and meals and accommodation, the center also has facilitated laboratory and field equipment’s that makes research work easier.

My name is Lucia Petro studying MSc. in Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering with research title on optimization of Domestic Biogas Stove Burner for Efficient Energy Utilization.

Energy is a vital element in the development and socio-economic growth of any country. About 80% of the people in Tanzania have limited access to grid power and they depend on the utilization of firewood and charcoal for cooking, which causes several smoke associated diseases that affect women and children Biogas fuel reported being among the best alternative fuel. The LPG burner stoves would be used to solve the problem. However, the normal LPG burner stove cannot work directly on biogas because the biogas gets generated at atmospheric pressure. This study will focus on modification and fabrication of the existing LPG burner to suit for the cooking application.

Biogas energy has some advantages over other energy sources. The successful utilization of biogas technology can result, not exclusively in energy generation and bio-fertilizer production, but likewise in other social and ecological benefits including improved sanitation from the more effective function of human and animal waste products and reduction of imported fuel oil. The technology has the potential to contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. The usage of biogas for cooking leads to cleanliness with no health hazard to women and female children and eliminating the everyday job of gathering (collection) and transportation of firewood, biogas technology could reduce the workload of women and female children and improved caliber of life.

WISE-Future is the among of centers in Nelson Mandela African Institute of science and Technology which provides an excellent learning environment for training top-notch Masters and PhD graduates specializing in water, sanitation, and energy-related field. WISE-Future offered me a scholarship for Master degree to strengthening in an academic position and support me to be a good researcher.