The document discusses the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a regional platform that fosters collaboration among African universities. It began in 2004 with a few universities and has since expanded its network. RUFORUM aims to integrate universities into agricultural innovation systems, provide skilled graduates, and advocate for higher education in Africa. Key activities include engaging universities in agriculture development plans, strengthening teaching and research, and developing human capital through postgraduate training. RUFORUM has shown success in expanding participation and addressing issues like gender and climate change.

1. Experiences from
RUFORUM – a regional platform that fosters
collaboration, coordination and learning amongst
African universities and other actors
6th
AASW & FARA GA, Accra, Ghana
Prof. Adipala Ekwamu, Ex. Secretary

2. • CAADP Launched in 2003; what is the role and
contribution of African Universities?
• The “Lost Decade” in Africa for HE: FAAP
outlines principles for the needed reforms -
BUT no funding earmarked for HE
• FARA NARS Assessment Report 2005 – very
weak NARS institutional and human resource
capacity: calls for urgent response
Key Premises for RUFORUM OperationsKey Premises for RUFORUM Operations

3. • Integrating TAE in CAADP processes, including
in Investment Plans & implementation
• Restoring the quality of TAE
• Promoting women and girls education,
including career advancements at all levels
• Strengthening partnerships for HE in Africa
CHEA Policy CommitmentCHEA Policy Commitment

4. • Foster integration of African Universities into the national
agricultural innovation systems;
• Provide a platform for training quality graduates to support
development processes in Africa, especially CAADP in
response to FARA NARS Review
• Rationalize resource use and enhance economies of scale
and scope;
• Provide a platform for networking, resource mobilization
and advocacy for TAE in Africa, and
• Tracking impact of HE and initiate foresight planning
Rationale for RUFORUM 2004Rationale for RUFORUM 2004

5. High performing African universities that
strive to produce skilled, proactive
graduates, demand driven research
output and innovation in response to
regional and national agricultural
development priorities.
RUFORUM- The Change we WantRUFORUM- The Change we Want
Increased Influence
of
RUFORUM
Universities
Increased Influence
of
RUFORUM
Universities
Increased Influence
of
RUFORUM alumni
Increased Influence
of
RUFORUM alumni
RUFORUM becomes
Regional Reference
Point
RUFORUM becomes
Regional Reference
Point

6. Experiences - Phased expansion in response to
demand
Experiences - Phased expansion in response to
demand
Egerton , Nairobi,
Moi & Kenyatta
Universities,
JKUAT
Makerere
University
Bunda College
of Agriculture
Africa University
& University of
Zimbabwe
Universidad
Eduardo
Mondlane
KENYA
UGANDA
MALAWI
ZIMBABWE
MOZAMBIQUE
Egerton, Nairobi,
Moi&Kenyatta
Universities,
JKUAT
Makerere
University
Bunda College
of Agriculture
Africa University
& University of
Zimbabwe
Eduardo
Mondlane
1992 - 2006 Present
Expansion has been in scope, countries and
within countries

7. • Current programmes and Activities include
participation from Benin, Ghana, Nigeria
• Additional planned activities with Burkina Faso, Mali,
Senegal & Togo
• Currently developing a strategy for partnership and
expansion
• Strategic partnerships established with ANAFE,
AGRINATURA CTA, PAEPARD to support processes
Piloting engagement with West AfricaPiloting engagement with West Africa

8. • Engaging universities in the CAADP processes
through launch of National Forums
– Pilots established in 8 countries already : Kenya;
Malawi; Mozambique; Rwanda; Tanzania;
Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe
– 4 additional by the end of 2013: Burundi; DRC;
Ethiopia, Swaziland
Promoting Engagement with CAADP ProcessesPromoting Engagement with CAADP Processes

9. • Launch of Community Action Research
projects to strength engagement with
communities and Agribusiness
– 3 Pilots using Value Chain approach
• To Launch pilot University Field Attachment
Programmes to support transformation at
smallholder farmer level
Working with End-users & Private SectorWorking with End-users & Private Sector

10. • Catalyzing changes in terms of
– Delivery
– Curriculum
– Quality Assurance
– Credit transfers
– Integration of Experiential learning
– Improving access to quality postgraduate training
• Adapting LMD systems in Francophone countries
Teaching, Research and OutreachTeaching, Research and Outreach

11. • Increase in the participation and voice of women in
agricultural research, production and marketing
– From 4% (1992) – 8% (2004) – 43% (2013)
• Climate Change – A regional Programme established at
University of Nairobi and Mekelle University
• Biotechnology and Seed Systems – Programmes in place to
build capacity in this area
• Business Incubation Centers and Outreach Units (Makerere,
Jomo Kenyatta, MOI, LUANAR, UZ Universities)
• E-Learning Programmes
Gender & Emerging issuesGender & Emerging issues

12. Human Capital DevelopmentHuman Capital DevelopmentHuman Capital DevelopmentHuman Capital Development
• Commitment to train 800 Masters student by 2015
– Target already met
• Commitment to train 150 PhDs – as of 2013, 104
are undergoing training; 38% already graduated
• Students completing on time (Masters – 2 years;
PhD – 3- 4 years) and publishing in International
Peer-Reviewed journals
• Universities integrating e-learning approaches
• A Regional harmonized Quality Assurance & Credit
transfer framework for postgraduate training
developed and ready for piloting

13. Where do RUFORUM Graduates go?Where do RUFORUM Graduates go?
800 RUFORUM
M.Sc. & PhD Graduates
Universities
IndustryIndustry
Research
Organizations
Research
Organizations
Extension
Ph.D training
NGOs
31%
10%
15%
8%
6%
27%
Policy
3%

14. • Expanding opportunities and challenges for TAE
• Managing growth as a vibrant network
• Nurturing the “Weak & Newer members”
• Scaling-up efforts & Initiatives – stakeholder
demands for expansion
• Need for intense engagement with Policy decision
makers
Issues and opportunitiesIssues and opportunities

15. Regional Universities Forum for Capacity
Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)
Plot 151 Garden Hill, Makerere University
Main Campus
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Tel.: +256-414-535939
Email: secretariat@ruforum.org
URL: http://www.ruforum.org