By Charles Mkoka
Smart
Darasa, a trailblazing technological company founded by Tanzanians, is
transforming the educational landscape by providing innovative solutions for
teachers and students worldwide. With over 20,000 students benefiting from the
app, Smart Darasa adheres to the Tanzanian curriculum, a standard that,
according to Kusiluka Aginiwe, Founder and Chief Strategist Officer, is also employed
by numerous countries in Europe and America.
In
an in-depth conversation with The Respondent Online, Kusiluka emphasized Smart
Darasa’s mission to bridge the gaps in practical learning through the
convenience of smartphone technology. "Stem learning is universal," Kusi stated. "Countries are facing educational challenges, including the
inability to afford laboratories for experiments. We offer a solution that not
only makes learning more affordable but also accelerates the process with
greater clarity."
The
app is designed as an invaluable tool for students eager to enhance their
knowledge and for teachers to conduct laboratory experiments and collect data
without the need for extensive space or concerns about environmental harm from
chemicals.
A
Journey from Idea to Innovation
The
concept for Smart Darasa began in 2016 with Elias, a visionary member of the
team. On his mid-studies in university, while seeing and analyzing national exams Elias noticed a
consistent pattern of poor performance in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and
Mathematics. "Most students received D's and F's," Luka explained.
"Elias realized that helping students visualize concepts as if they were
in a laboratory could significantly improve their understanding. This led to
the development of an augmented reality feature, similar to Snapchat filters,
allowing students to scan a sticker and see it in 360 degrees. Since then,
we've expanded to include 2D, 3D, AI, AR, and soon VR content."
Smart
Darasa has grown beyond expectations, participating in capacity-building
initiatives and adapting to new technologies. Luka proudly noted that the team
has expanded from just two people to over twelve full-time employees dedicated
to delivering high-quality content. "We have more than 20,000 users across
Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, the USA, and Libya. Our recent launch of Smart Darasa
2.0, which offers more personalized and comprehensive content, is expected to
attract 2,000-4,000 new users in its first year."
Overcoming
Challenges and Looking Ahead
The
journey hasn't been without its challenges. "Surviving with an innovative
idea like this has never been easy," Luka admitted. The company’s
breakthrough came in 2019 when they won a competition at COSTECH, leading to
invaluable support and funding from both private and government institutions.
"Content creation is very expensive," Luka explained. "We've
produced 300+ simulations so far, surviving through grants and value-based plans
supported by firms like Vodacom."
Smart
Darasa’s impact on education is profound, offering students and teachers a
practical and accessible way to enhance learning. As they continue to innovate
and grow, the future looks bright for this pioneering company.
