About the RUFORUM 2010 Biennal Conference
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Strengthening Higher Education"
Key challenges and issues facing African Universities: A case study of selected African Universities
Abstract:
This study assessed the “health” of seven universities in eastern,
central and southern Africa with respect to agricultural training
and skill enhancement opportunities, appropriateness of
curricula, staffing and access to learning resources and other
databases. The selected universities represented varied sociopolitical
backgrounds, different histories and length of
involvement in agricultural training. Most of the universities
were grossly understaffed, few staff had PhDs, and many of
these were close to retirement or were engaged outside the
university system. There was limited research output, and most
of the universities lacked organised students and staff data
bases. Except for Egerton University, none of the other
universities had a well established Quality Assurance Unit.
However, efforts were being made to ensure curriculum were
responsive to market needs. Indeed stakeholders were regularly
consulted but limited funding did not permit effective
implementation of several skill enhancement activities for both
students and staff, including field practicals for students.
Cette étude a évalué la «santé» de sept universités de l’Est, du
Centre et du Sud de l’Afrique à l’égard de la formation agricole
et les possibilités d’amélioration des compétences, la pertinence
des programmes d’enseignement, la dotation et l’accès aux
ressources d’apprentissage et autres bases de données. Les
universités sélectionnées représentaient divers milieux
sociopolitiques, une histoire différente, et la durée de participation
à la formation agricole. La plupart des universités n’avaient
pas de personnel suffisant, très peut avaient des docteurs, et
beaucoup d’entre eux étaient proches de la retraite ou ont été
engagés en dehors du système universitaire. Il y avait des résultats limités de recherche, et la plupart d’universités
n’avaient pas de banque de données organisées pour les
étudiants et le personnel. Sauf pour l’Université d’Egerton,
aucune autre université n’avait une institution bien étable
d’’assurance. Toutefois, des efforts ont été déployés pour assurer
des programmes, adaptés aux besoins du marché. En effet, les
dépositaires ont été consultés régulièrement, mais un
financement limité n’a pas permis la mise en oeuvre effective
de plusieurs activités de renforcement des compétences pour
les étudiants et le personnel, y compris les travaux pratiques
sur le terrain pour les étudiants.
Language:
English
A case study of selected African Universities
Date of publication:
2010
Region Focus:
Africa Wide
University/affiliation:
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
ISSN:
E_ISSN:
Edition:
Extent:
781-787
Notes:
