Prof Elifas Tozo Bisanda

Prof Elifas Tozo Bisanda
Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT)

Professor Elifas Tozo Bisanda is the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) since the 3rd June, 2015. He previously served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Regional Services) for two (2) years (2007-9), then Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) for a period of six (6) years (2009-2015).

Prior to joining the Open University of Tanzania, he worked at the University of Dar es Salaam for 20 years (1981-2000), three years at the University of Namibia (2000-2003), and four years at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology – KIST (2003-2007). Prof. Bisanda holds a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Bath, UK (1991), an M.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering from Cranfield University UK (1984), and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dar es Salaam (1981).

He has years of experience in distance education and is a champion of open and online education. Currently, he is the Chairman of UNESCO National Commission of Tanzania and a Board member for the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE).

He is also a member of the Executive Board of the Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA) and the Southern Africa Regional Universities Association (SARUA). Prof Bisanda is also a member of the Executive Board of the Distance, Open and E-Learning Practitioners of East Africa (DOLP-EA). Prof Bisanda holds the UNESCO Chair of Curriculum and Teacher Education at the Open University of Tanzania.