ACE II GROUP DISCUSSION INDUSTRY ACEs

IUCEA facilitation on partnerships IUCEA to undertake a study to identify barriers (gaps) between Industry/private sector and university sector IUCEA to recommend for need assessment and form a policy to strengthen the university private sector partnerships IUCEA to work with RSC, NSC and center leaders to find out which Private sector are working in their countries and in the region at large on relevant activities to the ACES and invite them to attend meetings, showcase their activities and encourage them to work with the ACEs It is very challenging to work with industry because of Intellectual property rights.

SUMMARY IUCEA facilitation on partnerships ACEs need to show their strengths and things they can offer to the industry. For example the ACEs will provide training on areas identified as gaps in the industry. This will be based on the needs identified in the labor sector. Doing research that is industry oriented i.e demand driven research. IUCEA to Support the need assessment Each ACE institution should have an IP policy

How can we maximize the learning opportunities and learning experience between ACE I and ACE II We identify a country that has identified best progress in implementation We need a session to know the challenges the ACEs have faced and what solution they have put in to improve component 1 and component 2. This covers areas on excellence on research and partnerships, involvement of female students, tracer studies. Have the ACE I used the results from tracer studies to improve curriculum development and ACEs activities Suggestions We propose for a tour into the ACEI facilities. The Trip can be for 3 days. Suggest that we have exhibition of activities to enable Center’s in ACE II to learn what ACE I are doing. This will give a green light for partnership formation.

In what ways can you be facilitated by your host university, goverment , IUCEA and word bank 1. Gaining acceptance by the Host university. IUCEA to bring the universities on board at an early point 2. Challenge of recruiting regional students especially female students and solving language barrier problems; IUCEA to provide more incentives and full scholarship for graduate female to study in the region students This can be solved by involving governments to fund students within the region. Host institutions to identify students with challenges in language problems and continuously mentor then in thesis writing and publication. IUCEA to facilitate bridging course for language All ACE to Identify what MSc and PhD courses the are offering and they have problem in attracting students. IUCEA will then put in IUCEA website to attract students

In what ways can you be facilitated by your host university, government , IUCEA and word bank 3. Problem of accommodating lactating mothers. IUCEA to provide extra scholarship package for those lactating. They ACE host institution can learn from Egerton University provision of family hostels IUCEA to provide extension of scholarship for female with special case 4. Faculty exchange program; Limited resources for staff mobility within the region. IUCEA to facilitate this activity also. World bank to identify potential resources and partners within region who can facilitate this activity more

In what ways can you be facilitated by your host university, government , IUCEA and word bank 5. Challenge of lack of timely implementation of activities due to bureaucracy. i.e. how can the center be given a level of autonomy to perform tasks by University e.g. procurement. In addition, there is continuous increase in work load to center leaders. How can they give incentive to center leaders? If there is a clear policy from universities to provide allowances, the University should provide this. The center leaders to be promoted to the levels of principals while the deputies as deputy principals. This to give them authority to implement activities, coordinate teams inside and outside the centers.