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Current Vice President


Dr.Mohammed Gharib Billal

EDUCATION
Dr. Bilal attended primary school in Makunduchi where he completed in 1958. He joined secondary education at Beit – El- Ras in Zanzibar Town in 1959 and completed in 1962. In 1963 he went to Lumumba secondary school for ‘A’ level studies but after few months he secured a scholarship to study at Howard University in United States of America.

At Howard he studied Physics and Mathematics. He graduated in 1967 and joined the University of California at Berkeley Campus for Post Graduate studies and obtained M.A in Physics in 1969. While at Berkeley he also took a teaching post as Teaching Assistant. Later he became Research Assistant while pursuing his Doctoral studies. He successfully completed his studies in 1976 and was conferred with a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physics.

Professional Experience

After completing his PhD studies, Dr. Bilal returned home and was employed by the University of Dar es salaam as Lecturer in Physics. In 1983 he was appointed Head of Department of Physics and in charge of the Nuclear Physics Unit. Between 1984 and 1985 he was a Fellow at the University of Singapore under International Atomic Energy Agency. In 1988 he was appointed Head of Faculty of Science of the University of Dar es salaam- a post he held until 1990. As a lecturer he supervised more than ten students taking physics at Masters Degree level.

Dr. Bilal has been a member of various professional bodies including Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), National Radiation Commission-NRC, Member of Annual Meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Chairman of the Science Panel of the Inter University Council of East Africa.

In 1990 he participated in formulating the environment curriculum for higher studies at the Faculty of Science of the University of Dar es salaam. He also took part in the preparation of a Bill on the use of nuclear energy in Tanzania and the establishment of National Radiation Commission-NRC.  In 1988, Dr. Bilal initiated and successfully implemented the Science Camp Project aimed at encouraging students in Zanzibar to take science subjects as well as assisting schools to secure laboratory equipment. The project was ultimately taken over by the Ministry of Education in Zanzibar.  

Leadership experience

Dr. Bilal has held various posts in the government of United Republic of Tanzania as well as Zanzibar Revolutionary Government. In 1990 he was appointed Principal Secretary to the then newly established Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education. While serving as Principal Secretary he participated in initiating the cost-sharing system in higher education and establishment of the Higher Education Loans Arrangement. Besides, the Open University of Tanzania and The Higher Education Accreditation Council were established in the same period.

In 1995 Dr Bilal became Chief Minister of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government where he served for five years until 2000. He has been Chairman of Dodoma University Council since 2007.

Within Chama cha Mapinduzi, Dr. Bilal has been a member of the Central Committee and National Executive Committee-NEC since 1995. He was CCM’s Patron for Zanzibar Urban-West Region (2002-2007) and Coast Regions since 2007. He was appointed chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s special Committee which advised the party on better arrangements for getting aspirants for general elections. In 2004 Dr Bilal was appointed chairperson of the Board of Directors of Shirika la Magazeti ya Chama (publishers of Uhuru and Mzalendo newspapers).

On 11th July, 2010 Dr. Bilal was appointed as the running mate to the CCM presidential candidate H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. He was declared Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania following Dr. Kikwete’s victory and he was sworn-in as Vice President on the 6th November 2010.