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Adaptive anisotropic diffusion-driven model for denoising iris images
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2021-04) Kyando, Daniel M.
Biometric recognition is the automatic recognition of individuals based on their physiological or behavioral characteristics. A variety of systems require reliable personal recognition schemes to confirm or determine the identity of an person requesting access or service. IRIS recognition refers to biometric systems used to recognize individuals based on their IRIS patterns. In the absence of robust denoising method, these systems are vulnerable to the inaccurate interpretation of the patterns and granting access or service to illegitimate users.
The classical Perona-Malik model has attracted wide attention of scholars for its ability to restore corrupted images while preserving useful details (edges and contours). Despite its notable achievements, this model requires manual tuning of the shape-defining diffusion coefficient to generate optimal results. Consequently, the tuning process, which suffers from inconvenience and time-ineffectiveness limits the model in time sensitive application like interpreting the IRIS patterns. Therefore, this work presents a method to adaptively update the value of the shape-defining diffusion coefficient in relation to the noise statistics in the IRIS image.
Through a series of experiments, it was observed that the coefficient strongly correlates with the noise statistics in the IRIS image. Therefore, a relationship to describe the correlation was established and encapsulated into the evolutionary polynomial of order two. The polynomial was fitted from running 39 million iterations to generate two-dimensional space R^(K×σ) that contains K and σ variables. Least Absolute Residuals (LAR) is used to approximate the constants. The constants were α=0.00473,β=2.134,and γ=-0.3696 with 95% confidence boundary. The proposed diffusion function was further tested in removing noise in the IRIS images. It generated visually appealing denoized images with higher information content. It sharpens the edges and distinguishes them clearly from homogeneous image a region which is crucial in identification of texture patterns in IRIS images
Factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among students: A Case of Undergraduate Students of the University of Dar es Salaam
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2023-05) Msonsa, Anna
This study examined factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among students at the University of Dar es Salaam. The specific objectives were to examine the role of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in influencing entrepreneurial intentions among students. An explanatory research design and a quantitative approach was employed. The sample size was 200 university students although 182 students were reached. Data was collected through a questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software. The study found that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are important in explaining entrepreneurial intentions among students. Among other factors, subjective norms were found to have a strong influence on entrepreneurial intentions among university students accounted by 46% of the variation, followed by attitude 36% of the variation; and last one was perceived behavioral control 35% of the variation in entrepreneurial intentions among university students. In addition, the study found that subjective norms have a strong influence on entrepreneurial intentions whereby 46% of the variation in entrepreneurial intentions among university students has been accounted for by the role of subjective norms. Also, the study concluded that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are strong predictors of university students‘ intention of becoming entrepreneurs. This research has proven that entrepreneurship intention has a positive relationship with undergraduate students‘ behavior in engaging in entrepreneurship. Since it was discovered that university students‘ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control have a significant influence on entrepreneurial intention, the study recommended that it is important that educational policies, particularly in higher learning should be well-directed in creating new attitudes among university students. This should be done in tandem with the development of instructional resources linked to entrepreneurial education. The study was purely qualitative and hence might limit in-depth information. Although the findings of the study have practical relevance, the study was conducted at the University of Dar Es Salaam which is the city context and a highly populated area. The result may alter if the study was conducted in other locations of the country.
Secondary school stakeholders’ perceptions towards commerce subject in enhancing economic growth in Arusha city council, Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2023-04) Makiago, Anna Elieza
The aim of this study was to explore secondary school stakeholders’ perceptions towards Commerce subject in enhancing economic growth in Arusha City Council in Tanzania. The study was guided by three objectives. Firstly, to examine teachers, students and policy makers’ views on the contribution of Commerce subject in enhancing economic growth in Arusha City Council. Secondly, to explore strategies used in teaching and learning of Commerce subject to enhance practical skills to students for economic growth. Thirdly, to explore challenges faced by teachers and students in teaching and learning of Commerce subject for economic growth. The review of the related literature discussed the context of the problem in a wider panorama. The study employed a qualitative research approach with an embedded single-case study research design. Purposive and snowball sampling procedures were employed to select participants. The sample size included 20 secondary school graduates who had commerce background in their secondary education, eight Commerce subject teachers and two education policy makers from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Data collection tools include semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and documentary reviews. Data were analysed qualitatively using the thematic analysis strategy. Findings unveiled the following. First, Commerce subject instils the skills and competencies required for practical business and management to the youths. Second, findings found that commerce subject teachers were not encouraging students to study Commerce subject which resulted to low uptake of commerce subject. Third, findings revealed that few Commerce subject teachers applied the teacher-centred strategies like lecture method instead of the learner-centred strategies such as project-based learning and field trip during teaching and learning of Commerce. Four, findings uncovered that commerce teachers were important resources in monitoring/supervising and facilitating students’ participation in different types of activities performed during teaching and learning process although they did not receive sufficient in-service trainings. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in cooperation with education stakeholders should recruit Commerce subject teachers to cater for the current needs including, in particular, to equip youths who lacked business and financial skills. Likewise, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should prioritise commercial studies and provide sufficient number of professional trainings to Commerce teachers to update their professional knowledge. In addition, the government should allocate adequate funds for teaching and learning resources including books in secondary schools. Finally, the study recommends an exhaustive quantitative study should be conducted to check whether or not the teaching and learning of Commerce in secondary schools reflect competence-based teaching and learning methodologies.
An assessment of the determinants of operational risk management practices in downstream oil and gas business in Tanzania: the Case of Petrol Stations in Dar es Salaam
(2023-04) Blassius, Saraphina Maggebo
The study assessed the determinants of operational risk management practices in petrol stations in Tanzania. Specifically, it aimed at examining the effect of regulatory framework, firm size and nature of the operation on operational risk management practices for petrol stations located in Dar es Salaam city. Also this study examines the moderation effect of perceived safety on the relationship between the determinants and operational risk management practices. Employing the stakeholder theory, the study collected data using questionnaires from 99 petrol stations. The data was quantified mostly in a five point Likert scale and then analyzed through multiple regression analysis. Findings, revealed that regulatory framework and firm size had negative and positive effect on operational risk management practices respectively at 5% of significance level. The nature of operation was insignificant at 5% level of significance. Further, the findings revealed that perceived safety has moderating effect between each of the determinants and operational risk management practices at significant level of 5%, as it turned the nature of operation into a significant positive effect on operational risk management practices. Therefore, study concludes that a moderator has a significant positive effect on the relationship between determinants and operational risk management practices. The study suggests that policy and practice should create positive safety perception to their staff and the stations environment because it does influence the operational risk management practices. Further studies can analyze the effect of determinants on operational risk management practices by including all petrol stations in Tanzania, using a qualitative study or a mixed approach.
Factors affecting the Tanzania national information and communication broadband backbone (NICTBB) systems restoration time
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2023-05) Chingumbe, Anifa Ally
This research investigates the factors affecting the prolonged system restoration when NICTBB services are affected by breakdown incidents. The main goal is to reduce the time taken to restore NICTBB services.
The National ICT Broadband Backbone, NICTBB, is the government owned backbone infrastructure. The NICTBB aims to increase the usage of ICT for equitable and sustainable socio-economic development and accelerate poverty reduction. Provisions of ICT services require infrastructures that are stable, reliable and available throughout their life span. Failures and outages of the infrastructure are intolerable.
The study used both primary and secondary methods in data collection. Data was collected from TTCL, Ministry responsible for communication and information technology and other Telecoms operators who are the key customers of NICTBB infrastructure. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed by factor analysis and regression analysis. The confirmatory factors analysis was performed to confirm the factors affecting NICTBB restoration time and the strategies to improve restoration time. The current restoration time was confirmed by the analysis of secondary data.
The study revealed that it takes more than six hours to restore NICTBB services. The locality and accessibility to fault location, availability and readiness of restoration team and unsatisfactory preventive maintenance services were found to prolong the restoration time. To improve NICTBB restoration time, there is a need to enhance NICTBB operations and maintenance strategy. The strategy will enable NICTBB manager to align its internal processes to prioritize NICTBB maintenance works and provide key resources including availability of funds, proper training and availability of working tools and test gears at all maintenance centers.
Information literacy competence of the members of parliament in Tanzania over the fifth phase government (2015- 2020)
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2023-03) Kabudi, Aidan John
The study assessed the information literacy competence of the members of Parliament in Tanzania. Specifically, it sought to identify the purposes for which members of parliament access information, parliamentarians' level of awareness of diverse information sources, their competence in information literacy, and impediments to information access and use. A descriptive research design and a mixed-methods research approach were used to achieve the purpose. A sample of forty-three (43) respondents, was chosen using a purposive sampling technique. Whereas quantitative data were analysed using SPSS Version 20, qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The findings show that most members of parliament are aware of various sources of information, including parliamentary records, which they use to prepare questions and speeches and keep their knowledge up to date. Also, the findings indicate that the majority of the members of the parliament were not competent in information literacy, as most could not accurately formulate search strategies and effectively evaluate online information for credibility. Even so, most respondents indicated that they had been trained and had attended seminars prepared by the parliament. These findings show that the Bunge Library has taken the necessary measures to ensure that members of parliament become literate. Accessing online information was challenging because of inadequate bandwidth and the incomplete digitization of the Bunge materials. The study recommends the completion of the digitization process to facilitate more accessible information, train and retrain members of parliament in information literacy skills, launch a computer literacy training program that legislators would be required to go through in the early stages of their service, and provide basic information communication technology infrastructure.
Assessment of librarians’ competencies in cataloguing and classification at the university of Dar es Salaam
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2023-05) Kabalo, Erasto Clavery
An assessment was conducted at the University of Dar es Salaam to ascertain librarians’ competencies in cataloguing and classification, specifically, the focus was on three elements of librarians’ competence; attitude, knowledge and skills. Qualitative data was gathered; interview method was conducted to 6 key informants. Primary data was also collected from 80 respondents through self-administered questionnaires. The assessment was quantitatively analyzed using SPSS and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to ascertain the causal-effect relationship between librarians’ competencies and effectiveness in classification and cataloguing. This study revealed that librarians possess necessary skills and knowledge required for cataloguing and classification. On librarians’ attitude the findings exposed that librarians have positive attitude toward cataloguing and classification. The study identified several challenges such as lack of training opportunity, cumbersomeness of the exercises, obsolete and inadequacy tools and lastly poor interest in cataloguing and classification exercise. SEM results indicated that librarians’ skills and attitude have a significant relationship with Effectiveness in Cataloguing and Classification. The findings imply that a unit increase in librarian skills will have a 26% effect on Effective Cataloguing and Classification. More so, findings entail that a unit increase in Librarian Attitude has a 38% effect on Effective Cataloguing and Classification at UDSM library. Conversely, SEM results confirm that librarians’ knowledge has a statistically insignificant relationship with Effective Cataloguing and Classification at UDSM library. The findings imply that mere knowledge without the right attitude and supportive skills reduces librarians’ competencies in partaking cataloguing and classification activities. Accordingly, insights from key informants reveal that, for effectiveness of cataloguing and classification processes, complimentary factors such as consistency, clarity, sufficient timeline, strict supervisions, incentives and motivations should be considered. Therefore, the study recommended that UDSM library should organize in-service trainings, refresher workshops and seminars on cataloguing and classification, aiming at; equipping and updating the library staff on methods of cataloguing and classification; eliminate fear of doing original cataloguing, removing negative attitude towards cataloguing and classification, fund allocation, update library staff on the recent development on computerized cataloguing and classification.
Assessment of school boards’ capacity in managing secondary schools’ financial expenditure in the context of fee free education in Tanzania: a case of Mbarali district
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2021-10) Chuma, Herman
The study assessed the capacity of school boards in managing secondary schools’ financial expenditure in the context of Fee Free Education (FFE) in Tanzania, using a case study of Mbarali district. The study sought to attain three specific objectives, namely: examining the financial expenditure supervision capacity of the School Boards; assessed how the School boards were involved by the school management in managing the schools’ financial expenditure and finally determine the measures that could be instituted to improve the School Board performance in managing schools’ financial expenditure. The study was informed by the systems theory of management advanced by Bertalanffy (1950). This is basically a qualitative research approach study that employed a case study research design. It was conducted in four secondary schools sampled from Mbarali district. The sample size composed 45 participants who were obtained through purposive and convenient sampling techniques. These included a District Secondary Education Officer (DSEO), four heads of schools, four School Board Chairpersons, 12 School Board Members and 24 teachers. The data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion and documentary reviews. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that the School Boards had the capacity for managing the school fund expenditure in their localities. Although school Boards were facing inadequate budget allocated in the schools, they demonstrated the capacity to generate extra school income through contributions from educational stakeholders, fund raising and school income generating projects. Moreover, the findings showed that the School Boards were actively being involved by the School management in managing financial expenditures. The modalities of participation ranged from involvement in the budget preparation, tendering procedures, financial report preparations, supervision of school development activities, and signatories of financial expenditures. The study recommends that the government has to review the capitation grants sent to schools in order to meet the planned school budgets. Moreover, the School Boards have to be given the mandate to reallocate capitation grants according to the needs and priority of the schools.