GIA signs MoU with University of Dar es Salaam

Reaching its education to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Africa, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) signed a Memo of Understanding with the College of Engineering and Technology at the University of Dar es Salaam. This initiative gives 20 individuals the opportunity to apply for GIA’s Accredited Jewelry Professional intensive (AJPi) program. The three-course AJPi program teaches polished diamond quality; how to translate jewelry design, style and manufacturing features into benefits for consumers; the basics of colored stone identification; how to explain treated, synthetic and imitation stones with full disclosure; and jewelry selling techniques. University of Dar es Salaam will host the five-day class and select students from the application pool.

GIA is extending a grant worth $25,000 towards tuition fee, instructor, training materials and gemological equipment and will also donate two GIA gemological microscopes to the university.

“We are grateful for the University of Dar es Salaam’s support in facilitating these classes,” said Donna Baker, president and CEO of GIA. “We have a continued commitment to ensure that gemological education in Africa is as accessible as possible in order to develop the skill base of local workers, which in turn improves life in the community.”

“We’re honored to collaborate with GIA as we share the same standards of academic integrity,” said Professor Jamidu Y.H. Katima of the University of Dar es Salaam. “This is a valuable opportunity for our local residents and we encourage them to apply.”