Reflecting on Higher Education Institutions ' Response to Evolving Demands of Human Resources in Tanzania: University of Dar es Salaam Experience

Abstract

This article uses a case study to reflect on the role of higher educationinstitutions in training human resources as a prerequisite for nationaland global development. It is based on data collected through interviewsand documentary review. The findings indicate that the role of highereducation institutions on the training of human resources has changed fromfocusing entirely on national development needs to the teaching of skillsand competencies akin to job market demands. It is revealed that achievinga stable balance between teaching of general skills and employabilityskills under the market approach poses a challenge. This study proposesthe adoption of asymmetrical balance as a strategy that enables publichigher education institutions to combine the strengths of both the stateand the market to address national and global development priorities.Keywords: asymmetrical balance, employability skills, human resources,marketization, national development