Agriculture teaching higher education institutions (HEIs) in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Zimbabwe are expected to ensure high quality training, impactful research and effective transfer of knowledge and technologies. However, the HEIs effectiveness is severely limited by a series of factors such as
- curricula that are do not prepare students well for their professional future.
- the lack of meaningful relationships with industry
- bureaucratic processes
- inefficient management systems
- poorly enforced policies
- a lack of mechanisms and capacity to protect and commercialize intellectual property.
- a lack of incubation centers or technology transfer offices
The project on
Universities Promoting Linkages for Impactful Training, Innovation and Technology TransferÂ
in Agriculture (UPLIFT-Ag) aims to enhance the effectiveness of HEIs in the four countries by
- strengthening relationships with actors and stakeholders in agriculture industry
- introducing improved methods of teaching agriculture with specific roles for industry in co-teaching activities
- designing innovative curricula that enhance knowledge, skills and attitudes for employability and entrepreneurship
- building innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of the HEIs through establishment and strengthening the function of innovation incubation centers and technology transfer offices.
This will be accomplished in partnership with HEIs in Germany, Italy and Denmark.
