A state-of-the-art, 3D Mechanical design laboratory with cutting edge technology, has been inaugurated at the Arusha Technical College.
The laboratory, established at USD 24,000 with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is a special project for capacity building and innovation for mechatronics and materials engineering.
The facility is part of Korea’s grant aid program, funded by the people and the Government of the Republic of Korea and aimed at modernizing technical education and promoting inclusive access to digital innovation tools.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone in Tanzania’s pursuit of quality technical training, digital transformation and youth empowerment,” stated the KOICA Country Director Mr Manshik Shin.
“This is about more than equipment, it’s about opportunity. We are proud to work hand-in-hand with Arusha Technical College to empower the next generation of Tanzanian engineers and innovators,” KOICA Country Director added.
“In this digital era, 3D design and printing are not just tools, these are essential skills. This lab will help bridge the gap between classroom theory and industry practice, while supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship,” Manshik Shin pointed out.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit over 430 students, among them 356 male and 76 female scholars from the Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, and Materials Engineering departments at the Arusha Technical College (ATC).
The new laboratory is part of the project, titled “Establishment of a 3D Design Lab and Strengthening 3D Design Capabilities for Innovative Mechanical Engineering,”
The implementation started from January to March 30, 2025, with a total budget of USD 24,000—including USD 20,000 from KOICA and USD 4,000from ATC as a local contribution.
The main objective was to build a well-equipped 3D design environment that enables both students and faculty to gain practical experience in digital design, modeling, and manufacturing.
The project aligns with global trends in engineering education and supports national goals for improving the employability of technical graduates.
The works behind the project included the Remodeling a 100 cubic meters classroom to accommodate a modern 3D design lab and the Procurement and installation of high-performance equipment, including computers, large monitors, display screens, desks, and chairs.
The project also entailed the relocation and setup of existing 3D printers and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and conducting Training programs on AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and 3D printer operation for both students and instructors.
There was also the development of learning resources such as drawing workbooks and data books and Hosting of exhibitions to showcase student work and conducting feedback surveys to assess impact.
Through the new technological laboratory, Tanzanian students will benefit from enhanced practical competencies in 3D design and mechanical engineering.
“This is the first facility of its kind in the country, which means it will not only serve the Arusha Technical College students, but other colleges can also make use of the 3D laboratory which also includes 3D printing mechanism,” stated the ATC Rector, Professor Musa Chacha.
According to the ATC Rector, the Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, and Materials Engineering departments at the college aim at grooming young experts that can handle modern technologies with ease, something which all industries need at the moment.
Prof Chacha echoed the words of KOICA country director who had previously stated that “Let us continue building a world where young people are not just ready for the future, but they are actually shaping.”
The rector explained that the program also supports female participation in technical fields, addressing gender disparities and improves teaching capacity and curriculum delivery through advanced instructional tools.
“In addition, it is supposed to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by enabling students to prototype ideas and design real-world solutions.”
During the launching ceremony at the Arusha campus, the Korea International Cooperation Agency expressed their appreciation to the management and faculty of Arusha Technical College, the project implementation team, and especially KOICA Volunteer Mr. HyungmunLee, whose technical support was described to be instrumental to the project’s success.
As the lab officially opened its doors in Arusha, KOICA encouraged Tanzanian students and faculty to maximize its use as a space for learning, innovation, and creativity, a place where ideas can grow into tangible solutions for the country’s development.