Leguna’s quest to build smart cities DAR ES SALAAM: WHILE most 29-year-olds are navigating the early uncertainties of their careers, Peris Leguna is busy digitally rendering the future of Tanzanian urbanization. Standing at the intersection of traditional infrastructure and high-tech innovation, she is not just observing the growth of her nation, she is planning its survival. With a career defined by an insatiable intellectual curiosity and a relentless drive for research, Ms Leguna has set her sights on a goal that is as clear as it is ambitious: to ascend the academic ladder and become a professor whose work serves as the definitive blueprint for sustainable city living. For many, the term Smart City conjures images of science-fiction skylines and autonomous vehicles. But for Ms Leguna, it is a practical, urgent solution to the real-world challenges facing developing nations. Driven by a desire to bridge the gap between traditional urban planning and modern digital infrastructure, she set her sights on international training that could bring global excellence home to Tanzania. The turning point in Ms Leguna’s journey came in 2024. Recognizing that local challenges often require global perspectives, she secured a prestigious scholarship through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This wasn’t merely a chance to study abroad; it was an entry point into one of the world’s most technologically advanced societies. She enrolled at Hanyang University in South Korea, a global powerhouse known for its cuttingedge programs in technology and urban development. By 2025, she had earned her Master of Science in Smart City Management and Technology. This degree acted as the definitive stepping stone toward her ultimate dream of professorship. “I realized early on that while our local context is unique, the tools to manage urbanization are becoming universal,” she said in an interview with Woman Magazine. “South