ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Known simply as Mwalimu (‘Teacher”) by his students, Dr. Oswald Almasi has been teaching Swahili language at the University of Toronto for more than 10 years. He is also the Course Director for the Swahili program at York University since 2005. Mwalimu teaches both Introductory and Intermediate Swahili at both universities.

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• B.A. (Honours) degree at the defunct University of East Africa in 1969,
• M.A. degree in Education at the University of Dares-Salaam in 1985
• Ph.D. in Educational Administration at the University of Toronto in 1993.
• Educational Planning and Administration in Paris, France in 1981-1982,
• Loan Administration in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1984,
• Project Management at the West London Institute of Education, London, United Kingdom 1986
• Research Management at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, in 1992.

HONOURS AND AWARDS

Mwalimu has received the following scholastic awards:

• Canadian Commonwealth and Fellowship Plan, 1988 - 1993
• International Development Research Council (IDRC), 1992
• International Development Aid (IDA), 1986
• African Development Bank (ADB), 1984
• Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), 1981

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mwalimu taught in high schools and teacher training colleges in Tanzania. He also worked at the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Secondary Education Administrator, education officer overseeing the planning, implementation and evaluation of educational programs throughout the country and procurement of educational materials.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Mwalimu is currently involved in the Mentorship Program organized by the Faculty of Arts and Science of the University of Toronto. Mwalimu, together with his students, have been involved in the Annual University of Toronto Fall Campus Days (formerly known as U of T Discovery Days) showcasing University of Toronto courses and programs, including Swahili to prospective students and the general public.

In addition, Mwalimu has been a volunteer parent at Cedarbrook Public School from 2000-2003 and Gledhill Public School from 1997-1999. In 2002, Mwalimu volunteered for the International Youth Day in Toronto. From 1996 – 1997 Mwalimu was President of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Lord Lansdowne Public School. In 1995 to1996, Mwalimu taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to immigrant students at Winchester Public School.

MWALIMU’S RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS:

• Almasi, O. (Joint Author) (Forthcoming). Swahili for Beginners.
• Almasi, O. 2007. (Joint Author). Hadithi Njoo: Sauti ya Mgeni. Toronto. Utprint.
• Almasi, O. 1993. Factors Associated with Accessibility to Post-Secondary Education: A Tanzanian Perspective. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Toronto.
• Almasi, O. 1985. Bias-Designed and Bias-Adapted Agricultural Secondary Schools IN Tanzania. Unpublished M.A. dissertation, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
• Almasi, O. 1982. Fifteen Years of Education for Self-Reliance in Tanzanian Secondary Schools: A Critical Appraisal. Paris, France: UNESCO.
• Almasi, O. (Joint Author). 1978. Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) as a Liberation Movement. Dar-es-Salam: Tanzania Publishing House.
• Almasi, O. 1966. “Maji Maji Rebellion in the Mbunga Area South of Ifakara” in the Maji Maji Research Project. Dar-es-Salaam: University College Dar-es-Salam.

MWALIMU'S SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Enhanced the profile and popularity of the Swahili Language program at the University of Toronto through participation in a number of social, cultural, and academic activities, including ten consecutive years of active personal presentations at University of Toronto Fall Days
• Generated outstanding levels of endorsements from students in areas such as: ability to present ideas, ability to create an atmosphere conducive to learning, and ability to present material in an interesting way in formal student evaluations, University of Toronto
• Acquired media coverage for the University of Toronto by being featured in Toronto Star Newspaper
• Contributed to the success and growth of the Swahili Language program at the University of Toronto and York University resulting in the launch of Intermediate level programs and a continuous trend of student enrollment increase
• As a team player, contributed to a 93% literacy rate in Tanzania Mainland through effective program development and public awareness campaigns and training of personnel to manage the programs
• As a team player, trained thousands of elementary and secondary school teachers to meet the demands of the Universal Primary Education Program (UPE) in Tanzania
• As a team player, contributed to an unprecedented 50% increase in enrolment of girls in elementary schools in Tanzania
• With the participation of students and the Principal of New College, Professor Halpern, raised close to $10,000.00 to organize a very successful Swahili cultural event Mapambazuko involving the GTA community. As a result of the money saved from Mapambazuko, a website has been created showing, among other things, Swahili courses being offered at New College, special events, Swahili student forum where students are able to demonstrate their Swahili writing skills

MWALIMU'S RESEARCH INTERESTS:

• Access to education;
• Equity Issues;
• Acquisition of foreign languages; and
• Educational reforms