Latest Updates
[PBL-BioAfrica] Mentorship in PBL – Lessons from the Sustainable Solid Waste Student Challenge in Zambia
I was the main mentor for students from the University of Zambia involved in the Sustainable Solid Waste student challenge. The students involved came from two universities in Zambia (UNZA and Mulungushi) and HAMK university from Finland. We also had mentors from each university, making it a multicultural and multidisciplinary team. In total, over 30... Continue Reading →
[PBL-BioAfrica] Why it’s time for Kenyan universities to adopt the Problem Based Learning approach
Why it’s time for Kenyan universities to adopt the Problem Based Learning approach in preparation for the first lot of Competency Based Curriculum in 2029 As Kenya has started implementing the Competency Based Learning (CBC) unveiled in 2017 to replace the older 8-4-4 education system, it’s time for the institutions of higher learning such as... Continue Reading →
Unlocking the pig and poultry growth potential with essential oils from aromatic plants
My name is Noah Waisindye and I am the second born of 15 children. I was born on 26th March 1991 in Wagona village, Baitambogwe sub-country, Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda. My parents, Mr. Robert Balugire and Mrs. Takali Rebecca, are from Wagona and Mukuta villages respectively. I went to Bute Mixed Primary and Busoga Secondary... Continue Reading →
[Thought Piece] The University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin): A modern transformative University for sustainable development
The COVID-19 pandemic, the current socio-economic crisis that several countries in the world, including African countries, are going through, and the impacts of the war in Ukraine have reinforced the socio-economic challenges (poverty, food insecurity, lack of health coverage, etc.) that African countries, including Benin, were already facing. The race to achieve the Sustainable Development... Continue Reading →
[Thought Piece] L’Université Evangélique en Afrique as an Integrated University in Central Africa
The African University requires in-depth transformation to create a space where learners meet with their supervisors to develop a quadruple competence consisting of building knowledge, know-how, life and thinking skills to contribute to the development of the continent. It is therefore necessary that the university be considered holistically to develop skills that Africa needs. It... Continue Reading →
[Thought Piece] EARTH University “An ACT of faith and a labour of love”
CRITICAL ELEMENTS ADDRESSED IN THE CREATION OF EARTH UNIVERSITYDr. Robert Carbonell, the first President of the Board of Directors of EARTH University, was asked about the purpose of the institution during its early planning days. His response was: “EARTH is an act of faith and a labor of love.” I was listening to the interview... Continue Reading →
The Success Story of PROVENDE KIVU
A year after obtaining my degree in agricultural engineering at the Catholic University of Bukavu, I was appointed manager of a family chicken coop in the city of Bukavu (Ets. CARPE DIEM). The average number of hens were 100, but the major challenge was the high cost of chicken feeds which took 80% of the... Continue Reading →
Community-University Engagement for a Transformative Higher Education in Africa: Experience from Gulu University
The need for a transformative approach to higher education. The cardinal role of higher education in generating knowledge, building human capital and translating knowledge into technological innovations is key to sustainable development and fostering the socio-economic well-being of a sustainable society. The societal benefit from higher education investment is largely realised when human capital translates... Continue Reading →
RUFORUM Executive Secretary holds dialogue with His Excellency the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Uganda
Prof Adipala Ekwamu, the RUFORUM Executive Secretary, met with His Excellency Abdalla Hassan AlShamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Uganda, to explore opportunities for strengthening partnership between African and UAE Universities and development agencies in UAE. The two explored partnership in the areas of strengthening agri-food systems in Africa to serve both Africa and the Arab... Continue Reading →
[Thought Piece] Developing and Nurturing Leaders of Tomorrow: the Role of Universities
One of our most important responsibilities as leaders of agricultural universities, and a critical role for RUFORUM as well, is to reflect critically on the mission of the university. Taxpayers who fund budgets, policy makers who determine the resources available, producers both large and small, consumers and other stakeholders, harbor multiple expectations of universities work... Continue Reading →
CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – SIDE EVENTS / PRE/POST CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Introduction The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a network of 148 Universities in 38 African countries will hold its 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) between 12th and 16th December 2022 at the Harare International Conference Centre in Zimbabwe under the theme “Sustaining African Industrialization through Innovative Agricultural Research, Training and Outreach... Continue Reading →
Kenyan pastoralists: how changing livestock markets could reduce conflict
Over nine million Kenyans are pastoralists out of a total population of 50 million. Together they hold livestock worth over US$1 billion. Livestock is their source of food, health, and wealth. But livestock also causes conflicts. In some Kenyan communities, clashes between farmers and pastoralists erupt due to the scramble for fodder, water and space. Farms encroach... Continue Reading →
Strengthening capacities for enabling policy environment to support family farmers in Africa
FAO and RUFORUM collaborating in the context of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) 2019 – 2028 18/05/2022 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is collaborating with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to strengthen the capacities of state and non-state actors to develop and implement public policies... Continue Reading →
Solutions from nature, my story
My name is Lina Sara Mathew Alonga. I was born in Torit Town, Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan. I am the first born of six from a humble family of Mr Mathew Alonga Urbano and Mrs Dementila Abwo Mathew. God has blessed me with three children. I attended my primary school from Bulluk “A” Primary... Continue Reading →
[Thought Piece] Transforming higher education – the road tailored to meet the development needs from The National University of Agriculture
ContextUniversities in developing countries in general and in particular in Benin are set up to meet the training needs of technical executives in different professional fields. In many cases these universities were created without due preparation and the minimum infrastructure and facilities necessary for proper functioning is limited. However, like others, these universities must respond... Continue Reading →
Intra-Africa Mobility for Training Agribusiness and Food Systems Scientists for African Agriculture (TAFSA) Scholarship Advertisement for Cohort 2
About TAFSA ProgramIntra-Africa Mobility to Train Agribusiness and Food System Scientists for African Agriculture (TAFSA) is funded by the European Union (EU). The program is run by 5 African Universities namely, Eduardo Mondlane University (Mozambique); Gulu University (Uganda); Makerere University (Uganda); University of Abomey Calavi (Benin), and University of Pretoria (South Africa). The goal of... Continue Reading →
TABLE Call for proposals
Are you a researcher or a food systems practitioner affiliated with an institution based in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East or Asia? Do you have a nuanced understanding of some of the debates about what a ‘good future’ for food looks like, and a desire to explore and share the various angles... Continue Reading →
[Thought Piece] Developing university competitiveness through human capital development, collaborations and entrepreneurship
Universities, private and public, are responsible for teaching, research, publishing, consultancy services and advancing human development. Over the years, funding of public universities through the Exchequer has been the Government’s prerogative, and was possible when the demand for university education was low. However, the increase in demand for university education has led to establishment of... Continue Reading →
My grandmother inspired me to establish a business enterprise in herbal medicine
I was born in the family of Mr Katebarirwe Alfred in 1980 in Nyakatugunda Ndeija Rwampala (Uganda). We are a family of three sons and two daughters. I attained A-level certificate and diploma in business administration; I got an opportunity to work with a health organization in the names of Norland Industrial Health Group from... Continue Reading →
A pathway to inclusivity through agriculture in Africa
A host of leading experts on international knowledge cooperation joined for the Shaping Futures symposium in The Hague earlier this month. The event was part of the celebrations of 70 years of Nuffic. This year we celebrate seven decades of strengthening education systems and investing in empowerment through international knowledge exchange. Among the group of expert speakers... Continue Reading →