Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012

Prof. Adipala EkwamuExecutive SecretaryRUFORUM

Mobilizing University Capacity for Development Impact: the Case of RUFORUM

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 Want

Increased Influence ofRUFORUM Universities

Increased Influence of

RUFORUM alumni

RUFORUM becomesRegional Reference

Point

Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012

RUFORUM Strategic Goals

1. Capacity building (MSc, PhD, Post-doctoral & short courses)2. Rationalized resource use for training & research3. Innovative structures for training, research and outreach4. Impact-oriented research in universities 5. Increase in the participation and voice of women in

agricultural research, production and marketing6. Increase the use of technology to support effective,

decentralized learning and the sharing of knowledge7. Advocacy, coordination & resource mobilization

Conceptualizing the SystemProducing a New Cadre of High-Performing, GraduatesProducing a New Cadre of High-Performing, Graduates

Demand Driven Agricultural Research Capacity by:

Competitive Grants Schema Field Attachments Research Methods Institution Strengthening

Grants Mounting Courses on Emerging

Issues Feeding research results into

curriculum Commissioned Community

Action Research Regional Course-Based PhDs

ICT Support for Research, Professional Communities, M&E, Dissemination & AdvocacyICT Support for Research, Professional Communities, M&E, Dissemination & Advocacy

Advocacy: Turning Research into Action Farmer Outreach Policy Outreach University Outreach

Professional CommunityBuilding

Peer Review Intergenerational

Mentoring Biennial Network

Assemblies National Forums

M&E Learning RUFORUM M&E of

programmes on an on-going basis

Methodology Data and Knowledge

Sharing Capacity External Evaluation

Governance & Management for quality, transparency, and PerformanceGovernance & Management for quality, transparency, and Performance

Agricultural InnovationAgricultural Innovation EmploymentEmployment Policy & Practice ReformPolicy & Practice Reform

Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012

Competitive Grants Objectives

1. Providing students with opportunities for problem-solving and practical experience –to be creative, improve teamwork and be responsive to deadlines and client demands.

2. Raise the profile and encourage better university recognition of the grassroots demands and needs for research and graduate skills in both their research and curricula.

3. Produce innovative and useful research that is effectively communicated

4. To link universities to farmers and develop mechanisms for dissemination of university research to rural communities and the servicing agencies.

Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012

Harnessing Africa- Australia Partnerships

Strengthening centers of leadership to train a critical mass of agricultural scientists including in new and emergent areas such as dryland resource management, building resilience, etc.;

Support for food security research through the Community Based Research (CARPs) and Competitive Grants to address smallholder farmer needs, entrepreneurship capacity, and closely link universities to rural areas;

Engaging Australian partners to strengthen institutional capacity and quality of higher education programs;

Enhance higher education for women.