Blog
From University to Career: My Transition from Sokoine University to SWISSAID Tanzania
Kefrine Lutambi is an MSc Crop Science student at Sokoine University of Agriculture. Read on as she shares her experience on how her work with climate-smart African rice research helped her secure her footing as she finished her postgraduate studies.
I am overjoyed to share that I have been offered a job with SWISSAID Tanzania, marking a significant milestone in my career. This achievement is the result of years of perseverance, commitment, and the priceless experience I obtained at the Sokoine University of Agriculture.
My path to this job opportunity started at the Sokoine University of Agriculture. As a Master of Science in Crop Science student, I embarked on an educational journey that shaped my future. I was privileged to participate in the university’s esteemed programs, which provided me with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in my field.
A key turning point in my academic journey was my involvement with the DANIDA-funded Climate-Smart African Rice Project. This project expanded my perspective and allowed me to contribute to pioneering research in the field of agriculture and climate change, particularly rice abiotic stresses research. The practical experience I gained from this project was invaluable and equipped me for future challenges.
As my MSc academic journey drew to a close, I devoted myself to my MSc thesis entitled "Phenotyping and genotyping for salinity tolerance using African rice germplasms". One of the major findings is that some of the salt-tolerant African genotypes do not harbor the well-known Saltol QTL. This means that there is promising tolerance to be further explored and introgressed into modern high-yielding cultivars. I am proud to announce that my MSc thesis has been submitted and is currently under review.
The combination of these experiences has led to the job offer from SWISSAID Tanzania, for which I am profoundly grateful. It is a testament to the quality of education and practical experiences I received at the Sokoine University of Agriculture through DANIDA funding.
I express my deepest gratitude to the Sokoine University of Agriculture, The DANIDA-funded Climate-Smart African Rice Project, and all the professors and mentors who guided me on this journey from SUA, the University of Copenhagen, and the International Rice Research Institute. This journey has been challenging, but the rewards have been well worth it. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution in my new role with SWISSAID Tanzania and continuing to explore innovative solutions for the challenges our world faces in agriculture and climate change.
