Overview: Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) RUFORUM SECRETARIAT Kampala, Uganda M & E Background 2006

Outline of Presentation  About RUFORUM  Operational Modalities  Impact  Roles of the various organs  Why the PM & E framework

PART I What is & Why RUFORUM Strengthening research and graduate training in African universities

About RUFORUM:  Initiated in 1991 by the Rockefeller Foundation to enhance graduate training at M.Sc level (FORUM)  Transformed into RUFORUM in 2004  Operates in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda & Zimbabwe, recently expanded to Zambia and Tanzania  Owned by a consortium of 12 Universities with a Regional Secretariat located in Uganda

 Human capacity for the region  Competence & competitiveness of the regional universities  Role & visibility of universities in R4D  Linking universities to grass root development issues & other knowledge centres RUFORUM Aims to Enhance

PART II Operational Modalities Umbrella organisation with National Forums as Pillars

Umbrella organisation RUFORUM Board of Trustees ‘Service Provider’ to members Zimbab-we Malawi Kenya Uganda Tanzania, Zambia and ??? Mozambi- que u u uu ‘Clients’ with demands National “FORUMS” Innovation systems Outcome + impact level RUFORUM Secretariat u

Regional Level Structure  Regional stakeholders platforms (General Assembly & AGM) provide overall guidance, thrusts & feedback  Board of Trustees guides policies, Secretariat appointments and budgets  Technical Committee approves CGs  Regional Secretariat implements Boards decisions and is the service provider for universities/National Forums

National Level  National Stakeholders Forum (National Forum) guides impact orientation of universities R4D & provides feedback to universities  Member universities implement R4D in partnerships with other Stakeholders  Ultimate beneficiaries-smallholder farmers: participate in R4D & feedback

PART III Impact Enhancing relevance and quality through networking and partnerships

Key Underlying Pillars  Universities mainstreamed in the NARES  Farmer involvement in R4D  Innovations and partnerships  A research agenda which moves beyond technology to development and commercialisation  Multi-talented graduates  Relevance and impact orientation

Examples of Research Themes  Understanding farmer organisations and expanding their capacities for service provision  Strengthen breeding, biotechnology & seed systems  Revitalise African traditional crops and fruits, and exploring their roles in contemporary diets  Sustainable management and conservation of NR through community-based interventions to enhance the quality of life of the rural poor

PART IV Roles of the Various Organs Enhancing relevance and quality through networking and partnerships

Universities as own entities  Impact-oriented training, research and outreach activities  Lobbying and participation in policy formulation  Resource mobilisation from own, local and external sources  Quality assurance and rewarding innovators and performers among students, lecturers, managers and partners.  Sharing facilities, information and networking with other stakeholders and institutions, both local and external.

National Forums (Universities with their stakeholders)  Linking and integrating universities into National Innovation Systems where demand and supply of research and training services are inter-phased  Shared research, training and outreach activities  Lobbying and policy advocacy at national level  Resource mobilization at national level and from the Secretariat

The Secretariat at regional level  Facilitate and organize platforms for graduate training and research in universities  Promote partnerships and networking  Support information access & exchange  Resource mobilization, lobbying and advocacy  Facilitate National Forums to link universities to broader research and development environments

Why the PM & E  To enhance ownership and empowerment of stakeholders  To monitor progress and enhance impact orientation at various levels  To guide decision making at various levels

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