BOOK REVIEW: Idris S. Kikula, Reflections on the Birth of the University of Dodoma. Dar es Salaam: Mkuki & Nyota Publishers, 2023, 182 pages, ISBN 978-9987-084-78-4

The book, titled “Reflections on the Birth of the University of Dodoma” explains how the University of Dodoma, or in its famous acronym, UDOM, came into existence. It describes the arduous journey of establishing the new institution of Higher Learning in Tanzania from scratch to where it is now. The choice of the title indicates the intention of the author to portray a general picture of how the journey started, as well as the opportunities and challenges experienced all along. Since the author was the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Dodoma, it was easy for him to collect, organize, reorganize and present through writings the footsteps and ups and downs encountered during the journey. The book is organized into two main parts, as presented through thirteen chapters. Part one is covered by chapter one to twelve, raising issues related to how the University was established