Morogoro, Tanzania - 9 July 2026

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Jordan University College (JUCo) successfully hosted the JUCo 2026 Philosophy Conference on Thursday, 9 July 2026, at the MH Hall, bringing together scholars, researchers, students, and philosophy enthusiasts to reflect on the role of philosophy in shaping Africa's future.
Held under the theme "Integrating Philosophy into the Efforts of Educating and Skilling Africa for the 21st Century," the conference provided an important platform for intellectual dialogue on how philosophical thinking can contribute to quality education, ethical leadership, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent.

An Opening Rooted in Reflection
The conference commenced with participant registration, followed by an opening session that featured an opening prayer by the University Chaplain, the National Anthem, welcome remarks from the conference patron and university leadership, and an introduction to the programme by the Masters of Ceremonies.
The conference was officially opened by the Principal of Jordan University College, Prof. Bertram B. Mapunda, who served as Guest of Honour. In his opening remarks, Prof. Mapunda emphasised the importance of philosophy in higher education, encouraging scholars and students to embrace critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and intellectual curiosity as essential tools for addressing contemporary African challenges.

The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Fr. Stephen Louis (PhD), who highlighted the enduring relevance of philosophy in preparing graduates capable of responding thoughtfully to the social, economic, technological, and moral demands of the 21st century.

A Milestone in International Collaboration
Among the distinguished presenters were Prof. Dr. Rolf Darge and Prof. DDr. Franz Gmainer-Pranzl of Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS), Austria, whose participation marked a significant milestone for the institution. The two scholars represent the first Erasmus+ exchange programme that JUCo and PLUS have jointly developed and effectively sustained in both student and staff exchange since 2018 - a partnership that continues to deepen academic ties between the two universities and to broaden opportunities for shared research and learning.
The cooperation is anchored in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, signed by the Principal of Jordan University College, Prof. Bertram B. Mapunda, and developed by the University's Director of Internationalization, Dr. Jacek Gorka, OFM, whose efforts have been instrumental in bringing the partnership to fruition.
Presenters, In their contributions, also addressed the concept of the "decolonization of education" cautioning that it is too often mistakenly translated into anti-European thought. Decolonization, they stressed, does not mean the rejection of external scholarship. Rather, it means building JUCo into an institution of excellence in its own right - one whose standards are strong enough to stand up to benchmarking against leading universities abroad.

Sessions and Scholarly Exchange
Throughout the day, participants attended three paper presentation sessions featuring research from distinguished scholars and emerging academics. Presentations were delivered by:

• Rev. Josephat Muhoza (PhD)


• Prof. Dr. Rolf Darge


• Prof. DDr. Franz Gmainer-Pranzl


• George Ndemo Osengo (PhD)


• Patrick Mswazi Dominick)


• Bruno Isaya Mwala


• Nasra Abdalla Athuman


• Sr. Liberata Elias Kavula


• Agaton Theodory Msimbe


• Eugenia Lucas Wandela (PhD)

Each presentation was followed by engaging discussions and question-and-answer sessions, allowing participants to exchange ideas, examine contemporary philosophical issues, and explore practical approaches to integrating philosophy into education and skills development across Africa.


The conference also created opportunities for networking during the health break and lunch sessions, strengthening academic collaboration among participants drawn from diverse institutions and disciplines.

A Department of Firsts
The conference further underscored the standing of JUCo's Department of Philosophy, which holds the distinction of being the first of its kind in the whole of Tanzania. It remains the only department in the country offering doctoral (PhD) studies in philosophy - a position that continues to place JUCo at the forefront of philosophical education and research nationally.

Recognition and Closing
In recognition of their valuable contributions, certificates were presented to researchers, presenters, and members of the organizing committee during the awards ceremony. The event concluded with a summary of the conference proceedings by the Patron of the Philosophy Club, followed by a vote of thanks from the Head of Department and the official closing of the conference.

The JUCo 2026 Philosophy Conference reaffirmed Jordan University College's commitment to promoting academic excellence, critical inquiry, and interdisciplinary research, while contributing to meaningful discussions on Africa's educational transformation and sustainable future.