1. Centre for Dryland Agriculture Bayero University, Kano
Our Vision: to be a global leading centre in Dryland Agriculture, renowned for excellence in teaching and research , and the quality of its products
Our Mission: to respond to the needs of dryland regions through relevant high level human capacity development and demand-driven research contributing to food security, improved livelihoods, and sustainable use of natural resources.

2. Why Drylands? 41% of global land Aridity gradient Desert drylands
17%
24%
Dry subhumid
Semiarid
Arid
Hyperarid
Desert drylands
Non-desert drylands 6%
29%
35% of global population
Source: Safriel (2013)
Strong partnerships required in addressing the multitude of issues affecting agriculture and livelihoods in Drylands

3. Our Partners Different Categories Universities/Academic Institutions
Local/National
Regional
International
Universities/Academic Institutions
Research Centres
Public Sector
Industry/Private Sector

4. Our Partnership Strategy
Importance of developing strong partnerships recognized right from the inception of the Centre
Two workshops (one local and one international) organized during the conception of the Centre, which assisted in charting direction and informing the development of curricula and thematic focus areas
Sought relevant partners through direct engagement/contact or through facilitation by existing partners

5. Activities with Regional Academic Partners
Involvement in teaching both regular programmes and short courses(INRAN, ICRISAT and IITA West Africa Hubs)
Joint supervision of students (UniNairobi, UniMaradi, IER Mali, INRAN, Agrhymet, Abdulmumini Univ Niamey and CGIAR partners in West & Central Africa)
Interviewing and screening francophone students for admission by CDA (UniMaradi)
Academic Exchanges/staff trainings (short stays and PhD trainings) (IAR Tunisia, UniNairobi, UniMaradi)
Joint proposals to donors (UniNairobi, Unimaradi)
Joint research (mainly with national and CGIAR Centres so far)

6. Benefits of Regional Academic Partnerships
Benefits to ACE
Increased visibility in the region
Sharing of human resources
Sharing of facilities and information resources
Capacity building of faculty in some key areas
Benefits to Partners
Capacity building of faculty and other staff
Sharing of facilities
Networking opportunity with CDA partners

7. Major challenges
Lack of enough funds to adequately support partnership activities
Language barrier (Anglophone/Francphone Partnerships)