Challenges and innovative processes for Capacity Strengthening in Agriculture for Development

FARA-EFARD-AGRINATURA

SIDE EVENT

@ the Gchera - 7 7th Conference of the Global Consortium of  Higher Education and Research for Agriculture

Using the opportunity of the 7th Conference of the Global Consortium of Higher Education and Research for Agriculture (GCHERA - 7), which is held between June 27 to 29, 2011 in Beauvais, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), AGRINATURA and the European Forum for Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD) organised a pre-conference workshop on 26th and 27th June 2011 to review the progress to-date and the challenges still pending.

One of the most important initiatives that will be presented is the Tertiary Education for Agriculture Mechanism (TEAM-Africa), but other specific contributions, either thematically oriented (like UNIBRAIN) or focused on specific areas or sub-regions, such as the Engagement of West and Central African Tertiary Agricultural Africa Agriculture Development Programme in the CAADP Processes will also be reviewed.

By bringing together all those who are actively involved in agricultural development to share their views, the CIPCAD2 aims to inspire development and rebuilding of the capacity pyramid (see below) in agriculture, especially in the African context, driven by tangible results for poor farmers.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

1.      From CIPCAD 1 to CIPCAD 2: An Update – Prof. Didier Pillot, AGRINATURA

2.      Overview of PCAADP Processes & Capacity Needs – Dr. Martin Bwalya, AUC-NEPAD / Dr. Komla Bissi

3.      Rebuilding the African Human Capacity Pyramid and Estimating Capacity Demands – Mr. Ralph Von Kaufmann, FARA

4.      Restructuring Agricultural Education and Training in Sub-Saharan Africa – Prof. A. Stroebel/Prof. F. Swanepoel, University of The Free State

5.      Plenary Response to Background Presentations - Facilitator

1.      The Pan African University

2.      Technical and Vocational Training Barefoot Universities Farmer Field Schools, FAR network in francophone Africa

3.      Rural Learning Platforms

4.      Linking Universities, Business & Research

5.      Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs)

6.      PAEPARD Multi-stakeholder Partnerships: training to broker

1.      Status of Agricultural Education and Training in the CAADP Investment Plans – Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong /Dr. Nelson Ojijo, FARA

2.      TEAM-Africa Presentation (ANAFE/RUFORUM): ·         How to determine the demand in scope, quality and quantity for trainees and graduates, and how to prioritise actions, ·         The factors that must be taken into account in planning to respond to the diverse demand, ·         The successes, best practices and novel approaches that can be used in reconstructing and expanding the capacity pyramid ·         The costs and benefits and where the financial resources will come from. ·         Who is demanding what from the TEAM Africa, ·         How the mechanism will respond to that demand, and what outcomes are sought and how its success will be defined

3.      Overall Discussion - Chair

1.      The LMD Reforms in French Speaking African Universities: Challenges, Perspectives and Opportunities – Prof. Félicien Avlessi

2.      Engagement of the CRUFAOCI Network in University Reforms in French Speaking African Universities – Prof. Jacques Nanema

3.      Preparing the Conference of Rectors of French Speaking African Universities in November 2011 – Dr. Aissetou Yaye

4.      Summary Discussions - Chair

1.      New Enterprise Skills, Food Value Addition & Access to Markets

2.      New Value & Reward Systems in Universities (going beyond publications)

3.      Integrating Research, Education & Extension

4.      Improving teaching and conditions of service

5.      Investment in Changing Curricular and Introducing Advanced Training Approaches, Aids and Contextualized Courses

6.      Introducing Teaching in Experiential Learning, Soft and Personal Mastery Skills

7.      Overall Discussion - Facilitator