ISSN: 2073-9699RUFORUM MONTHLY VOLUME 3 ISSUE January 14 January,2010 2010 Page 1 RUFORUM MONTHLY The Monthly Brief of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture • RUFORUM Monthly is New leadership of Africa University pledge commit‐ an e-newsletter provid- ing information on ment to growth of Higher education in Africa activities of the Re- gional Universities The newly installed leadership of Africa University has pledged its continued commitment Forum for Capacity to the cause of higher education in Africa and has re‐dedicated itself to the successful Building in Agriculture. launch of the second phase of Africa University’s institutional development strategy. The • This Monthly Brief is third Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Africa University, Bishop David Kekumba Yemba and circulated in the last Professor Fanuel Tagwira were both inaugurated at a colorful ceremony that took place at week of every month ■ the Africa University campus in Mutare, Zimbabwe on December 5, 2009. ANNOUNCEMENTS Over 500 dignitaries from around the world came to witness the historic event, which saw Inception planning meet‐ Zimbabwe government officials, members of the Africa University board of directors, part‐ ings for RUFORUM ACP S ner agencies of the United Methodist Church, partner institutions to Africa University and & T projects, Entebbe– Uganda 10‐12 February representatives from sister universities in Zimbabwe and within the region were present at 2010. the occasion. The last inauguration ceremony was held in December 1998, when the sec‐ International Conference ond Vice Chancellor of Africa University, Professor Rukudzo Murapa took office. on Agro‐Biotechnology, Biosafety and Seed Sys‐ “This installation signals tem in Developing Coun‐ tries: AGBIOSEED 2010. that this university, though Imperial Royale Hotel, very young, has strong, and Kampala Uganda 8‐11 deeply rooted traditions,” March 2010 RUFORUM strategic Plan said General Secretary of Review. Bellagio, Italy, 12‐ the General Board of 16 April 2010 Higher Education and Min‐ RUFORUM Annual General istry, Dr Jerome King Del Meeting Zimbabwe, 4‐6 August 2010 Pino. “These traditions of RUFORUM Biennial Con‐ continuity help to give a ference. 13‐17 Septem‐ clear picture of the future ber,2010 we want for this univer‐ Ministerial Conference on sity”. Higher Education in Africa. Speke Hotel Muyonyo– In his inaugural address, Uganda. 15‐19 November, 2010 Vice Chancellor Tagwira paid tribute to his prede‐ More information on RU‐ cessors; Professor John Ku‐ From left, looking on ‐ Dr Jerome King Delpino, Bishop David Yemba, (second left) FORUM activities can be accessed on the RUFO‐ rewa, the founding Vice Professor Tagwira, Chancellor of Africa University and Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, Resident Bishop of the Zimbabwe Area of the United Methodist Church, (in black RUM BLOG at http:// Chancellor who carried out gown). RUFORUMsecre‐ tariat.blogspot.com the initial groundwork for the institution and Professor Rukudzo Murapa, the second Vice Chancellor, who saw Africa RUFORUM Website link University through its early years of tangible growth. now available at www.ruforum.org For more information about the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Contact: The Newsletter Editor, RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 151 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Fax: +256 414 534153; Tel: +256 414 535939; E‐mail: secre‐ [email protected]; Website: www.RUFORUM.org. RUFORUM MONTHLY January 2010 Page 2 Higher Education Institutions must remain relevant to development agenda to maintain sustainability The Regional Coordinator for happen,’ said Adipala. “These demands have not RUFORUM, Professor Adipala been accompanied by infrastructural development, Ekwamu, has said universities funding for research and teaching and learning.” must remain relevant to the Moreover, “brain drain” had led to significant low development agenda and staffing levels in universities, a prominent trend become pro active in proving across Africa. their contributions to na‐ He provided the statistics. tional development, if they are to remain viable in the “Most large universities are at 60% staffing capacity, new globally community of with most senior faculty‐ almost close to retirement tertiary institutions. age…the majority of the young professionals and academics have left their countries in search of In his paper entitled greener pastures elsewhere.” “Financing higher education Professor Adipala added that the lack of qualified Above: Prof. Adipala Ekwamu, institutions in the 21st cen‐ Regional Coordinator– RUFORUM tury,” Professor Adipala and experienced personnel has also negatively im‐ stressed that universities in pacted on quality issues and research output in uni‐ Africa needed to re‐look and re‐strategise on their priori‐ versities. “Research output has remained very low, ties if they are to survive the challenges of reduced fund‐ due to inadequate funding. In most African coun‐ ing. He was speaking at a seminar organized as part of the tries, governments do not channel funds directly to activities to mark the Inauguration of the third Chancellor universities, but rather channel their funds to re‐ and Vice Chancellor of Africa University on 4th December search institutes. 2009 at the Africa University campus in Mutare, Zim‐ The answer was to be found in universities proac‐ babwe. tively playing an advocacy role, as well as making Professor Adipala cited that an earlier pronouncement by deliberate attempts to keep their research agenda in the World Bank – that higher education was not to be pri‐ tandem with national development goals. “Our gov‐ oritized and offered low rates of investments had rele‐ ernments should set aside funds for research, but gated the role of higher education in Africa. The World there is no way in which our governments will set Bank prescriptions had led to a significant neglect and lim‐ aside funds for our research budgets if we do not ited visibility of the higher education sector in Africa. show that we are contributing to national develop‐ ment processes.” However, recent Psacharapolous findings reveal that infact higher education offered high returns on investment. Sup‐ Professor Adipala added that the scope of a univer‐ ported by empirical evidence, the report pointed to the sity’s research agenda should facilitate its entry into fact that each additional year of higher education could the global environment and the competitive educa‐ yield 10‐15% returns in higher wages, and in the long tion network. term, lead to the growth of knowledge economies, which He said Africans needed to look at areas of research would ultimately lead to development. and development where they would have the best Nonetheless, the sector has faced numerous challenges comparative advantage. “We need to capitalize on which have been a direct result of its neglect by respective emerging issues such as climate change, new sources African governments and partners in supporting and in‐ of energy, globalization, to remain relevant and at‐ vesting in higher education in Africa. tract funding partners,’ said Adipala. Hard choices had to be made in order for Africa to get a quick win “The demand for higher education, by far exceeds capacity situation. The generation of knowledge; innovation of African Universities,’ said Adipala, who added that Uni‐ and creativity in science and technology were also versity funding was declining, relative to student popula‐ critical aspects of a University's’ contribution to na‐ tions. “Paradoxically, we are asking the state universities tional development. “Knowledge is important, be‐ to increase enrollment, but yet, we are not giving them cause there is no country which has developed with‐ the commensurate and accompanying funds to make that (Continued on page 3) RUFORUM MONTHLY January 2010 Page 3 Higher Education Institutions must remain relevant to development agenda to maintain sustainability (Continued from page 2) Professor Adipala cited weaknesses in African curric‐ out critical, competitive and competent human capital”. ula. There is also a need to develop innovative programs which “Teaching delivery is old and archaic and desperately will strengthen science and technology innovation. in need of an overhaul.” He referred to the “yellow “Universities have to be well integrated in the develop‐ notes,” used by some university lecturers as a mode ment process and be the key players in industry and agri‐ of delivery. “But we now have a new generation of cultural innovation systems. students who are empowered and our university Another important role for universities was to continu‐ lecturers must be prepared to deal with a different ously advocate policy changes, important for financing clientele who are knowledgeable about their rights higher education institutions in future. “In its advocacy and who have access to the information super high‐ role, universities would need to continuously connect with way.” non governmental organizations, farmers, and various If the higher education sector in Africa was to sur‐ stakeholders in its community out reach engagements.” vive, there was a need for higher education practi‐ The improvement of quality in teaching and learning tioners to re‐look and re‐think their roles in relation through the modernization of curricula and harnessing of to national, regional and global hopes and aspira‐ ICT’s were also important in attracting students. “We need tions.