The Ardhi University -ARU

History

The Ardhi University (ARU) was established after transforming the former University College of Lands and Architectural Studies (UCLAS) which was then a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam from 1st July 1996. The history of Ardhi University, however, dates back to 1956 when the then Surveying Training School offering land surveying technician certificate courses was established at the present location of Mgulani Salvation Army Camp in Dar es Salaam. Then, that school was moved to the present location at which it is today (the Observation Hill) in 1958. In 1972, the school became called Ardhi Institute. The Institute offered two-year diploma programmes in the fields of Land Surveying and Land Management and Valuation. In the same year a three-year Diploma program in Urban and Rural Planning was introduced. 

By the Act of the Parliament No. 35 of 1974, Ardhi Institute was made a parastatal organisation and consequently the duration of two-years was extended to three years. Later in 1975, all the three-year diploma programes were upgraded to Advanced Diploma level. The Building Design and Building Economics courses started in 1976 and 1978 respectively. In the 1979, the Centre for Housing Studies was established as a joint project between the Government of Tanzania and the Netherlands. The centre has now grown into the Institute of Human Settlement Studies (IHSS). In early 1980s, the Public Health Engineering (later named Environmental Engineering) course was introduced. 

As pointed out earlier, in 1996 the Ardhi Institute was affiliated to the University of Dar es Salaam and became a constituent college of the University. It then became known as the University College of Lands and Architectural Studies (UCLAS). Two legal instruments, namely, Government Notice (GN) Number 148 of June 29th, 1996 and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Act No.12 of 1970 provided the basis for the establishment of UCLAS. 

Within ten (10) years of its existence (i.e. 1996-2006) UCLAS increased the number of academic programmes from six (6) to thirty nine (39). The programmes ranging from diploma to PhD were offered by two faculties, that is, the Faculty of Architecture and Planning (FAP) and the Faculty of Lands and Environmental Engineering (FLEE). As a result of those changes, student enrolment increased from only 400 in 1996 to about 1,400 in 2007. At the same time the number of academic staff with PhD increased from 3 in 1996 to 43 in 2008. 

At last, Ardhi University came into being after the signing of Ardhi University Charter by His Excellency the President of United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete on 28th March, 2007. The University Charter was prepared basing on the Universities Act No. 7 of 2005. The establishment of ARU went concurrently with the establishment of various schools.

University Logo

Mission, Vision & Values

The Vision of ARU is:

"To be recognised as a center of excellence in seeking knowledge and disceminating it to a wide spectrum of beneficiaries at national, regional and global levels".

The Mission of ARU is:

To provide intergrated teaching, research and public services that are geared towards achieving sustainable social-economic development of Tanzania and the World at large.

ARU Values:

In order for ARU to achieve its Vision and accomplish its vision it will subscribe to the following values:

Academic excellence and integrity ensured in line with the international benchmarks in teaching, research and service to the public, and ensure that the same is well recognized and forms an important part of the academic and organizational life of the institution.

Academic freedom by upholding the spirit of free and critical thought and enquiry, through the tolerance of a diversity of beliefs and understanding as well as fostering open exchange of ideas and knowledge amongst the staff and/or students.

Internationalization through participation in the regional and global world of scholarship, by being receptive and responsive to issues within the international environment as well as the enrolment of an increasing size of the international student body.

Professional and ethical standards by upholding the highest professional standards and ethical behavior, and through openness, honesty, tolerance and respect for the individual in all disciplines.

Social responsibility by promoting an awareness of, and providing leadership in responding to the issues and problems facing society with a view to ultimately solving and alleviating them.

Students Centered and Holistic, Teaching and Learning by creating a holistic teaching and learning environment which is student centered and providing them with social, cultural and recreational opportunities that will facilitate the full realization of their potential for academic and personal growth; Internationalization through participation in the regional and global world of scholarship by being receptive and responsive to issues within the international environment as well as the enrolment of an increasing size of the international student body.

Developmental responsibility by ensuring that most of the research conducted has an immediate or long-term impact.

Equity and social justice by ensuring equal opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of personal, ethnic, religious, gender or other social characteristics.

Productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship to be emphasized in all activities of the institution and to be underpinned by a dedication to quality, efficiency and effectiveness.

Student de-paternalisation by treating all ARU students as adults who are fully responsible for their behavior to the society.

Strategic planning culture by inculcating it at all levels in the university.

Research relevance by ensuring that research addresses relevant national or societal problems.

Institutional autonomy and entrepreneurship characterized by self-governing structures guided by the University Council and greater independence, innovation and entrepreneurship in action and while being responsive to societal and development needs or prescribed by the relevant legal instruments.

Public accountability by ensuring transparent decision-making and open review as well as the full participation of stakeholders in the development of the institution and major policy shifts.

Undergraduate Programmes

PROGRAMMES RUNNING IN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTION ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (SACEM)

• Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) – Code AR001
• Bachelor of Architecture in Interior Design (B.Arch. ID) – Code AR002
• Bachelor of Architecture in Landscape Architecture (B.Arch. LA) – Code AR003
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.Sc. CE) – Code AR021
• Bachelor of Science in Building Economics (B.Sc. BE) – Code AR006

SCHOOL OF SPATIAL PLANNING AND SOCIAL SCIENCE (SSPSS)

• Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (BSc URP) – Code AR018
• Bachelor of Science in Regional Development Planning (B.Sc. RDP) – Code AR016
• Bachelor of Science in Housing and Infrastructure Planning (B.Sc. HIP) – Code AR012
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics (BA. Econ.) – Code AR019
• Bachelor of Arts in Community and Development Studies (BA. CDS) – Code AR023

SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES, REAL ESTATES, BUSINESS AND INFORMATICS (SERBI)

• Bachelor of Science in Land Management and Valuation (B.Sc. LMV) – Code AR013
• Bachelor of Science in Real Estate (Finance and Investment) (B.Sc. REFI) – Code AR017
• Bachelor of Science in Property and Facilities Management (B.Sc. PFM) – Code AR015
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance (B.Sc. AF) – Code AR022
• Bachelor of Science in Geomatics (BSc GM) – Code AR005
• Bachelor of Science in Geoinformatics (BSc GI) – Code AR004
• Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management (BSc. ISM) – Code AR020

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY (SEST)

• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (B.Sc. EE) – Code AR009
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management (B.Sc. ESM) – Code AR011
• Bachelor of Science in Municipal and Industrial Services Engineering (B.Sc. MISE) – Code AR014

Official Website: http://aru.ac.tz