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AFRICAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSIGHTS – No.1| APRIL – JUNE 2017 FEATURED STORIES Perspectives: The role of universities in transforming Africa’s agricultural sector. Farmers’ Voice: Norah Asio Ebukalin, an illustrious farmer and community mobilizer. Entrepreneurship: Charles Ocici – Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Regional feature: Gender Equity in Agricultural Research and Development. Profiles: RUFORUM Network members creating impact. Click here to download a copy of the RUFORUM Quarterly NewsletterFiled under: Publications,... Read More 0

We are pleased to share with you the ranking of our member universities for the first half of the year 2017. Among the 66 member universities, Stellenbosch University was ranked highest (2nd position after the University of Cape Town) followed by University of Pretoria (4th), University of KwaZulu Natal (5th), Cairo University (6th), University of Nairobi (8th) and Makerere University (11th). Only 25 of the 66 RUFORUM universities were ranked among the... Read More 0

  In Summary Dr Akinwumi Adesina wins the 2017 World Food Prize. Dr Adesina said providing millions of farmers with seeds and fertilisers was vital to boost development. He added that 98 per cent of the world’s 800 million undernourished people live in Africa. “For me, the award is not just about recognition for me, it is also about putting the wind behind the sails of what still needs to be done... Read More 0

A delegation from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) visited Liberia 14-16 June 2017. Facilitated by the Counsel General of Liberia to Uganda, Dr. Thelma Awori, the purpose of the visit was to meet with leaders of key research and tertiary education institutions in Liberia and to dialogue with key government ministries on building high level skills to support agricultural led growth in Liberia. The high level delegation... Read More 0

By: Patricia Ngwale Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in agriculture (RUFORUM) and African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) organized a four-day leadership training for female mid-level and senior managers from government departments, public universities and other statutory corporations. The training which took place in Lilongwe at Ufulu Gardens from 19th to 22nd June 2017 saw 35 participants being equipped with critical factors for women’s professional growth and advancement which... Read More 0

Monrovia, Liberia: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Friday last week received a high-level delegation from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at her Foreign Ministry Office in Monrovia. The RUFORUM Delegation was accompanied by Education Minister, George K. Werner who was also joined by the Ministers of Youths and Sports as well as Commerce and Industry. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf informed the group that... Read More 0

PhD Training Opportunities in Oil Field Chemicals Research, Petroleum and Environmental Studies at University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a consortium of 66 universities operating in 26 African countries across the African continent is working in partnership with its member universities to support rebuilding of university staff capacity in order to meet the escalating demand for qualified staff to teach and conduct quality... Read More 0

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is a consortium of 66 universities in 26 countries in Africa whose mission is to strengthen the capacities of universities to foster innovations responsive to demands of small-holder farmers and value chains 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. RUFORUM... Read More 0

The African Center of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACEESD) is an approved ACE II project center of excellence envisioned to address key economic challenges resulting from low rural energy access, poor adoption of energy technologies in rural areas, and poor inter-state energy trading in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. The ACE II project is a partnership between the World Bank and the Rwandan Government to strengthen selected institutions of... Read More 0

As part of its efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and integration among universities in Africa, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) facilitated three staff exchanges from Eastern, Western and Central Africa to Makerere University in Uganda. RUFORUM, a consortium of 66 universities operating in 26 African countries sees staff exchanges as an opportunity for its members to share human and infrastructural capacity in order to build strong faculty... Read More 0

By Professor Emmanuel Tanyi, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Buea, Cameroon I recently participated in a Staff Exchange Programme at Makerere University from 20th to 27th April 2017. The short visit was memorable for its intensity of activities and exchanges with professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. This story is my recollection of the highlights of the visit and my reflection on the need for continent-wide staff exchanges... Read More 0

Growing up in rural Western Kenya, I often heard people talking about great universities in East Africa like the University of Nairobi, Makerere University and University of Dar es Salaam. Makerere University, in particular, stood out for me as many of the African nationalists, back then, had gone through it. My father too, though not highly educated, spoke highly of the institution. It never crossed my mind, however, that one day I... Read More 0

A summary booklet on the RUFORUM Network. Get your copy today by clicking here to download.Filed under: Publications Tagged: Publication, RUFORUM@ 0

In the last four years, RUFORUM has engaged in using social media as one of the tools for advocating for increased dialogue and investment in the Higher Agricultural Education sector. This has resulted into increased online engagement of both youth and academicians in deliberating on key development issues across Africa. With support from the RUFORUM Network, we have trained of over 250 African graduates. The importance of social media for universities cannot... Read More 0

Written by Catherine Mloza-Banda What can Higher Education do for Africa? Higher Education is instrumental in building human capital that is vital for facilitating social and economic development. Countries such as South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan show undisputable evidence that increased access to higher education creates way for increased strides in development. Thus, it is imperative that Africa is likely to reap social and economic gains if we build the necessary human... Read More 0

A message from the AfDB President Akinwumi A. Adesina on “Partnering with Universities for a Sustainable Food System in Africa” delivered during the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2017, April 20, 2017. Watch video at: https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/multimedia/video/afdb-president-akinwumi-a-adesina-for-partnering-with-universities-for-a-sustainable-food-system-in-africa-world-bank-imf-spring-meetings-2017-april-20-2017-1311/ Filed under: News Tagged: employment, Food Production, Poverty Reduction, Youth 0

Written by: Paulina Atim On the 1st May 2017, Africa Universities facilitated a three-day technical expert meeting to discuss issues affecting higher education in Africa. The meeting took place at the Bingi International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Malawi. The key messages from this consultation will be presented to the committee of 10 Heads of State set up by the African Union to champion education, science and technology development in the continent.... Read More 0

Written by  Sylvester Kumwenda Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has expressed optimism that the university will greatly benefit from the various programs and projects offered by Regional Universities Forum (RUFORUM) for capacity building in agriculture. Vice Chancellor for LUANAR Professor Emmanuel Kaunda made the remarks Tuesday evening after organizing a dinner for RUFORUM with the aim of orienting the forum on the background, activities, weaknesses and strengths of LUANAR... Read More 0

By Linda Likomwa–Mana Minister of Education, Science and Technology Dr. Emmanuel Fabiano  has said Africa needs high level skills in order to make science and technology and knowledge a drive for development. Fabiano said this in Lilongwe on Wednesday May 2 during the official opening of Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) technical experts’ task team meeting for the planning and preparation of the meeting of ten Heads of State... Read More 0

This Handbook provides a step-by-step roadmap designed to equip aspiring ICT entrepreneurs, with the information and knowledge they need to start an ICT-based business in the agricultural sector, outlining key opportunities and challenges that will be encountered along the way. Using real-life examples, it provides strategies and pathways for averting common mistakes faced by early-stage entrepreneurs. Topics covered include agricultural value chains and their stakeholders, ICT business challenges, effective business plans and... Read More 0