Mobilizing University Capacity for Development Impact: the Case of RUFORUM - Prof Ekwamu Adipala, Executive Secretary, Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)

1. Mobilizing University Capacity for
Development Impact: the Case of
RUFORUM
Prof. Adipala Ekwamu
Executive Secretary
RUFORUM
Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012

2. RUFORUM- The Change we Want
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.
Increased Increased Influence RUFORUM becomes
Influence of of Regional Reference
RUFORUM RUFORUM alumni Point
Universities

3. RUFORUM Strategic Goals
1. Capacity building (MSc, PhD, Post-doctoral & short courses)
2. Rationalized resource use for training & research
3. Innovative structures for training, research and outreach
4. Impact-oriented research in universities
5. Increase in the participation and voice of women in
agricultural research, production and marketing
6. Increase the use of technology to support
effective, decentralized learning and the sharing of
knowledge
7. Advocacy, coordination & resource mobilization
Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012

4. Conceptualizing the System
Producing a New Cadre of High-Performing, Graduates
Demand Driven Agricultural Advocacy: Turning
Research into Action
Research Capacity by:  Farmer Outreach
 Competitive Grants Schema  Policy Outreach
M&E Learning
 Field Attachments  University Outreach  RUFORUM M&E of
 Research Methods programmes on an on-
 Institution Strengthening Grants going basis
 Mounting Courses on Emerging  Methodology
Issues
 Feeding research results into Professional Community  Data and Knowledge
curriculum
Building Sharing
 Peer Review
 Commissioned Community  Intergenerational Mentoring  Capacity
Action Research  Biennial Network  External Evaluation
 Regional Course-Based PhDs Assemblies
 National Forums
ICT Support for Research, Professional Communities, M&E, Dissemination & Advocacy
Governance & Management for quality, transparency, and Performance
Agricultural Innovation Employment Policy & Practice Reform

5. 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

6. 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.
Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012