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Background The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)  is a network of 128 Universities in 38 African countries with mission to “strengthen the capacities of universities to foster innovations for strengthening agri-food systems through the training of high quality researchers, the output of impact-oriented research and the maintenance of collaborative working relations among researchers, farmers, national agricultural research institutions and governments” … Read More Call for RUFORUM Triennial Conference Posters , 06 – 10 December 2021

Lors de la réunion annuelle des Vice-Chanceliers / Présidents / Directeurs de Section / Recteurs des Universités Membres de RUFORUM (voir les liens sur le Dépliant de RUFORUM et l’Aperçu de RUFORUM) qui s’est tenue le 11 novembre 2020, les Vice-Chanceliers ont réaffirmé leur engagement envers le Programme d’Assistanat d’Enseignement Supérieur (GTA) qu’ils ont initié en 2014. Les objectifs du GTA sont les suivants: … Read More Opportunités de Formation de Troisième Cycle dans le cadre du Programme d’Assistanat d’Enseignement Supérieur de RUFORUM (GTA)

Were you supported financially by RUFORUM at any point in your career for undergraduate, Masters, PhD or Post-Doctoral fellowship between 1992 and 2021? If yes, the Steering Committee of the RUFORUM Alumni Network (RAN) is inviting you to SAVE THE DATES of 27th September to 1st October 2021 daily between 3:00 – 5:00pm East African Standard Time for the Inaugural RUFORUM Alumni Week. The … Read More RUFORUM Alumni Week

By Joseph Aluong Kut Because of the high economic returns that horticulture offers, I decided to start a project that will focus on this enterprise. That’s why I launched the South Sudan Entrepreneurship Alliance (SSEA) agribusiness firm. Based on market surveys from the South Sudan Ministry of Agriculture and Chamber of Commerce, vegetable farming has been struggling in the past 10 years, despite the … Read More I plan to supply high graded tomatoes and onions in South Sudan

By Nelson Papi Kolliesuah Growing up, I was always an inquisitive child. In school, I excelled and then started to appreciate the value of investigative journalism. I later enrolled to journalism school. Although I could piece together circumstances leading to the occurrence of certain situations, I kept yearning for more. Every time I listened to reports from different media outlets, I became increasingly convinced … Read More I started a consultancy to train university students on data management

By Egede Jonah Ode As a young scholar and aspiring leader, it is my responsibility to make things happen where nothing is happening. Therefore, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, I came to realize that this is the best time to prepare for the tasks that await us beyond the pandemic. That’s why with the internet data that was given to us by RUFORUM, I have … Read More I installed a cassava grinding machine in the community

Kenyans How Universities Set Up Graduates for Failure (Kenya)Professor Alfred Omenya, a professional architect, has shared intrigues into how tertiary facilities create controversial degrees that disadvantage graduates seeking job opportunities. Omenya is a former lecturer at the University of Nairobi (UoN) and Technical University of Kenya (TUK) in addition to being the Chief Executive Officer of Eco-Build, an architecture firm. The scholar detailed how … Read More [Issue 94] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

On the 21-22 July 2021, Egerton University in partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), through Transforming African Agricultural Universities to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev) program funded by the Mastercard Foundation hosted a virtual National Forum dialogue. This was the fourth National Forum convening for Agricultural and Higher Education stakeholders. This year’s convening was hosted … Read More [Press Release] Egerton University 4th National Forum Dialogue for Universities, TVETs and Industry Stakeholders in Agricultural Sector and Higher Education

Inside Higher Eds Doctoral Training Should Meet the Equity Moment (Global)Inequity is on everyone’s lips. The disproportionate toll on people of color during the pandemic from both COVID-19 and police violence brought into laser-sharp focus the unjust obstacles many people face in our society. This moment has elevated the language and concepts of critical social theories to the status of everyday conversations, public conflicts … Read More [Issue 93] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

The Daily Star ‘We have to run our universities keeping up with 21st century’ (Global)Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, a noted educationist, has served as the 27th vice chancellor of Dhaka University from 2009 till 2017. A mass communication expert, he was appointed chairman of the board of directors at Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). The Daily Star recently spoke to him on the occasion of … Read More [Issue 92] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

Times Higher Education Pandemic silver lining: a catalyst for collaboration (Global)It’s not all doom and gloom. While we must acknowledge the personal and professional challenges most of us have faced because of the pandemic, the academic community has highlighted some real positives. Some academics say Covid-19 has been a much-needed catalyst for change in higher education, and now’s the time to take stock of … Read More [Issue 91] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

On Eid Al Adha, wishing that your sacrifices are appreciated and your prayers are answered by the almighty. Have a blessed Eid Al Adha! May this Eid Al Adha bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you, your family and Muslim community!

On 1st July, 2021, at State House in Lilongwe, Malawi, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the President of the Republic of Malawi hosted an African Heads of State Pre-UN Food Systems Summit Dialogue. The Summit Dialogue is part of Africa’s continental momentum towards the UN Food Systems Summit that will be hosted by the UN Secretary General in October 2021. The event was … Read More [Press Release] His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi Hosts the Heads of State Pre-UN Food Systems Summit Dialogue

Times Higher Education Post-Covid university management will be an exercise in give and take (Global)If leaders don’t proceed with openness and consideration towards nervous staff, it is students who will ultimately suffer, says Rachel Gallardo. As Covid vaccination rates increase and restrictions are lifted, many faculty and administrative staff are planning to return to campus – if they haven’t already. But to suggest that … Read More [Issue 90] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

Maina Waruru  06 July 2021 A group of African heads of state have committed to working closely with African universities in the quest to end hunger on the continent. They undertook to support the institutions in their mission to train the personnel needed to drive African agriculture and to invest in the scientific research needed to thrive. The presidents also pledged to increase investment in … Read More Heads of state commit to support universities

On Thursday 1st July, 2021 Africa saw one of her youngest innovator and researcher, Professor Noble Banadda Ephraim succumb to Covid-19. Professor Banadda, an Agricultural & Biosystems engineer, researcher and academician will be remembered for his prodigious contribution in building capacity of young scientists, increasing investment in the area of Research and Innovation during his service at Makerere University. His passion to increase knowledge … Read More [Press Release] A tragic loss in the advancement of Africa’s Agricultural and Food Systems

UCT News Youth Month: What does decolonised African education look like? (South Africa)Dr Tabane was moderating the second session of the recent youth-centred Africa Day symposium hosted by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Union, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town (UCT) and its Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance. “If we lose the education war, all our other … Read More [Issue 89] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

University World News Countries spend less than 1% of GDP on research (Africa)o country in Africa is spending 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on research and development although, globally, spending on science and the number of scientists have been rising in the past five years, a trend that was pushed further by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to UNESCO. Launching … Read More [Issue 88] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

CIO East AfricaMakerere University Honours AfDB President Dr Adesina (Uganda) Makerere University has awarded Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), with an Honorary Doctorate degree in recognition of his distinguished contribution to Africa’s transformation and contribution to science, research, and academic leadership. The Bank’s President received the prestigious award of the Honorary Doctor of Letters during the University’s fifth session … Read More [Issue 85] Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa

Issue 84: Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa