Browsing by Author "Massawe, Fatihiya A"

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Energy saving behavior among university students: A case study of Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
(International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 2018) Assenga, Emmanuel G; Massawe, Fatihiya A; Assenga, E. G.; Massawe, F. A.
The purpose of this paper was to establish energy saving behaviour and practices among students living within the university hostels. The study followed a case study and descriptive research designs where data were collected from defined population using self-administered questionnaire. The information was descriptively analyzed by SPSS and qualitative methods were used to judge the interaction patterns The findings show that students are not aware of the energy cost incurred by the university. It was also revealed that students feel the accommodation bills they pay to be enough to cater for energy utility bills hence no need to be concerned on energy consumption and saving. Generally, students are not sensitive in practicing energy saving behaviour. This is attributed to inexistence of direct incentives and low awareness on importance of energy saving and also the cost associated with the high energy consumption. The paper provides useful insights on how students behave in terms of energy consumption and whether are concerned on saving energy. The findings are very essential in facilitating university in designing a strategy to optimize energy savings. The understanding of typical energy user’s behavior is one of the input necessary to be combined with technical energy consumption aspect to optimize energy saving goal
Gas extraction operations and changes in livelihood activities: experience from Mtwara Rural District in Tanzania
(2022) Musoma, Beston M; Nyanda, Suzana S; Massawe, Fatihiya A
The effects of gas extraction operations on livelihood activities among communities remained unknown albeit the extractions pursued in Mtwara District of Tanzania. This paper analyses the changes in local livelihood activities due to gas extraction operations in the district. The paper uses the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF). Data were collected through a household survey (n=260,) focus group discussions (n=8) and key informant interviews (n=15). Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics whereby descriptive and multiple response analyses were performed. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis method to supplement the quantitative information. Results show a decline in; fishing activities from 58.5% to 17.65%; decline in crop business from 36.9% to 8.92%; decline in petty business from 12.3% to 9.2%; boat driving and repair 10.0% to 3.05% during gas extraction respectively. Also, the paper reveals an increase in; sea-shells collection from 1.75% to 39.2%; farm labour in neighbouring villages from 1.65% to 5.4% and an increase in other non-farm activities like carpentry, brick making and motor circle and bicycle repair to closer villages. The study concludes that after introduction of gas extraction operations local community’s livelihood activities have changed. We recommend more investment in education and vocational training to equip local communities with skills to engage in gas extraction industries and diversified income activities. Building rural infrastructure will improve transportability and will create job opportunities for poor households.
Scientific evidence for policy making: a missing link in higher learning institutions in Tanzania
(2022) Nyanda, Suzana S; Massawe, Fatihiya A; Mabiki, Faith P
Higher learning institutions are well known for their capacity to produce scientific evidence that can guide development initiatives in developing countries. Despite this acknowledgment, transferring research findings into policy and practice has remained to be a long-time challenge in Tanzania. An action research was conducted to assess the use of research findings generated from higher learning institutions in decision making. Specifically, the study aimed at establishing the level of awareness on the concept of scientific evidence for decision making among researchers; assessing the capacity of researchers in disseminating research findings to policymakers and examining the coordination of higher learning institutions in contributing to evidence informed decision making (EIDM). A survey was conducted on a total of 29 researchers from 9 higher learning institutions and 7 key informants from selected ministries and regulatory authorities. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used for data analysis. Findings indicate that higher learning institutions are academic oriented as such the research findings generated are not synthesized, and not repackaged and presented in a user-friendly language for easy uptake by policymakers and implementers. Limited awareness of EIDM among researchers; and weak coordinated efforts for evidence generated from higher learning institutions to influence policy change were also reported. The study suggests capacity building among researchers on research findings synthesis and dissemination for EIDM. This will be coupled with the establishment of a research findings synthesis unit to facilitate the contribution of higher learning institutions in EIDM for the country’s socio-economic transformation.