1. ACE II Launch - Breakout Session 1
Major Challenges Faced by ACEs and possible solutions – AGRICULTURE Cluster
Presented by: JUDE SSEBUWUFU (Centre Leader, ACALISE, UMU)
Tuesday, October 25, 2016

2. Challenges from within the ACEs
List Top 2 – 3 Challenges
Workload
Managing expectations of a multiplicity of stakeholders
Timely and cost-effective procurement

3. Challenges from within the ACEs
Challenge: (most difficult of the 2 – 3 challenges)
Workload
Suggested Solutions (top 1-2 practical solutions )
Management should release key staff to concentrate on ACE
Hiring ACE full time staff
Innovative but transparent ways of incentivization

4. ACE Host University Related Challenges
List Top 2 – 3 Challenges
Too much bureaucracy in approvals
Aligning institutional procurement procedures with Government and World bank procedures
Accreditation of programmes (especially beyond national level)

5. ACE Host University Related Challenges
Challenge: (most difficult of the 2 – 3 challenges)
Bureaucracy
Suggested Solutions (top 1-2 practical solutions )
Give some degree autonomy to the ACE leadership
Organize a workshop/retreat to enable Management and middle managers appreciate the nature of the ACE II project

6. National Government Related Challenges
List Top 2 – 3 Challenges
Government Bureaucracy
Aligning ACE Procurement practices with National procedures/requirements

7. National Governments Related Challenges
Challenge: (most difficult of the 2 – 3 challenges)
Bureaucracy/delays in approvals
Suggested Solutions (top 1-2 practical solutions )
Intervention of WB and RFU

8. Challenges with Building Partnerships
List Top 2 – 3 Challenges
Coordination of a multiplicity of partnerships (interest groups)
Meeting the expectations of private sector

9. Challenges with Building Partnerships
Challenge: (most difficult of the 2 – 3 challenges)
Partnerships coordination
Suggested Solutions (top 1-2 practical solutions )
Establishing a partnership coordination office
Agreeing in advance with partners on all the activities and ToR

10. Other challenges Sustainability
Harmonization of procedures and standards
Inspiring all staff to come on board
Recruitment of regional and female students
Agreeing on publication standards
Effective and timely communication from IUCEA to ACEs
Support from administrative officers at various levels
Suggestions for remedy
On sustainability: a) proposal writing by teaming up with the the experts and other partners, b)have attractive programmes and support services to students, c) short courses, market and fundraise through alumni and the diaspora, d) community outreach and ensuring that your outreach impact is communicated to the whole world to attract funding, e) soliciting for funding and scholarships from embassies and international agencies given your name as a WB-approved Centre of excellence, f) budget for seed money to facilitate teams to respond to calls for proposals, g) begin now to think of what is next after 31 Dec 2022., h) budget for seed money for enterprise development with students.
On harmonization: Standardize procedures in all activities for everyone to read from the same page
Buying in of staff: Have retreats for staff to create awareness and buy in; incentivise
Recruitment : Provide scholarships to regional students and especially females
Quality of publications: work with Elsevier
Communication: IUCEA should copy all communications to the VC and PI