Overview:Regional Universities Forum

for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)

RUFORUM SECRETARIATKampala, Uganda

M & E Background 2006

Outline of Presentation

About RUFORUM

Operational Modalities

Impact

Roles of the various organs

Why the PM & E framework

PART IWhat is & Why RUFORUM

Strengthening research and graduate training in African

universities

About RUFORUM:About RUFORUM: Initiated in 1991 by the Rockefeller Initiated in 1991 by the Rockefeller

Foundation to enhance graduate training at Foundation to enhance graduate training at

M.Sc level (FORUM)M.Sc level (FORUM)

Transformed into RUFORUM in 2004Transformed into RUFORUM in 2004

Operates Operates in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique,

Uganda & Zimbabwe, recently expanded to Uganda & Zimbabwe, recently expanded to

Zambia and Tanzania Zambia and Tanzania

Owned by a consortium of 12 Universities Owned by a consortium of 12 Universities

with a Regional with a Regional Secretariat located in Secretariat located in

Uganda Uganda

Human capacity for the regionHuman capacity for the region Competence & competitiveness Competence & competitiveness

of the regional universities of the regional universities Role & visibility of universities in Role & visibility of universities in

R4DR4D Linking universities to grass root Linking universities to grass root

development issues & other development issues & other knowledge centres knowledge centres

RUFORUM RUFORUM Aims to Aims to EnhanceEnhance

PART IIOperational Modalities

Umbrella organisation with National Forums as

Pillars

Umbrella organisation

RUFORUM Board of Trustees

‘Service Provider’ to members

Zimbab-we

MalawiKenyaUganda

Tanzania,

Zambia and ???

Mozambi-que

u u u u

‘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 IIIImpact

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 IVRoles 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

THANK YOU THANK YOU