A Pre-CAADP Partnership Platform Event17 – 18 March, 2014 Durban, South Africa

Paul NampalaRegional Universities Forum for Capacity

Building in Agriculture

SUSTAINING THE CAADP MOMENTUMConsolidating the AR4D Network for Implementing & Leveraging

Investments for the Science Agenda

      The RUFORUM Network Celebrates 10 years as a network of Universities and 22 years of Addressing Tertiary Agricultural Education Issues in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.

RUFORUM - a dynamic regional platform that fosters collaboration, coordination and learning amongst member universities and with other actors

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 for HAE

RUFORUM becomes

Regional Reference Point for HAE

• Sub-Saharan African Agriculture – Agricultural set to remain main engine for growth

and poverty alleviation– Slow growth attributable to weak innovation

systems and human resource shortfalls– African aspiration of Agriculture for Development

– brink of agricultural take-off– Requires - a strong skilled human resource to

innovate and catalyze development

Rationale: RUFORUM Positioned to respond to a Changing Context (1) Rationale: RUFORUM Positioned to respond to a Changing Context (1)

• Higher Education in National Agricultural Innovation Systems – Need to improve effectiveness of agricultural

technology generation and dissemination– Constraints in NARS - low critical mass of qualified

professionals (faculty, extension personnel and scientists)

– Situation changing - universities engaging in institutional and academic reforms

– Increasing opportunities to play regional role– RUFORUM potential vehicle to extend university

reach and visibility

Rationale: RUFORUM Positioned to respond to a Changing Context (2)

Rationale: RUFORUM Positioned to respond to a Changing Context (2)

• Development is possible through active, well-informed critical mass of locally based agricultural professionals– Strengthening the capacity of locally based

researchers for agricultural innovation – Promoting the retention of this capacity

• Results of research likely to be used if propelled by a demand-driven research agenda– Encouraging the application/use of R&D in policy and

practice

RUFORUM AssumesRUFORUM Assumes

• CAADP Launched in 2003; what is the role and contribution of African Universities?

• FARA NARS Assessment Report 2005 – very weak NARS institutional and human resource capacity: calls for urgent response

• The “Lost Decade” in Africa for HE: FAAP outlines principles for the needed reforms - BUT no funding earmarked for HE

Key Premises for RUFORUM OperationsKey Premises for RUFORUM Operations

• 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

• National Forums

• Program Design

• Convening Events & Advocacy for HAE

Areas where RUFORUM can contribute & benefit from greater alignment

Areas where RUFORUM can contribute & benefit from greater alignment

RUFORUM ActorsRUFORUM Actors

National Extension Systems

National Research Systems

National Govts

Industry

Policy Institu-tions

Develop-ment

Partners

A

A

A

Member university

Member university

Member university

Member university

Member university

Member university

Member university

Member university

Secretariat

Governance bodies

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

PI

PI

PI

PI

PI

PI

PI

PI

A

A

Key:A: AlumniPI: Principal InvestigatorD: Dean

NGOs

Interna-tional

Research Systems

A

A

RUFORUM

National Forums

A

A

Program DesignProgram Design

Strengthening functionality of the RUFORUM Platform as a regional reference point for higher education in agriculture, and for learning, advocacy and resource mobilization for universities

Strengthening functionality of the RUFORUM Platform as a regional reference point for higher education in agriculture, and for learning, advocacy and resource mobilization for universities

1

Catalyzing curriculum reforms and skill enhancement for graduate students, faculty and other actors in the agricultural sector

Catalyzing curriculum reforms and skill enhancement for graduate students, faculty and other actors in the agricultural sector

2

Fostering engagement of African Universities with rural communities to strengthen entrepreneurship along selected value chains

Fostering engagement of African Universities with rural communities to strengthen entrepreneurship along selected value chains3

Enhancing African University engagement in agricultural development processes through participatory & adaptive research that promotes uptake pathways and other innovations

Enhancing African University engagement in agricultural development processes through participatory & adaptive research that promotes uptake pathways and other innovations

4

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