1. Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012 Prof. Adipala Ekwamu Executive Secretary RUFORUM Mobilizing University Capacity for Development Impact: the Case of RUFORUM

2. High performing African universities that strive to produce skilled, proactive graduates, demand driven research output and innovation in response to regional and national agricultural development priorities. RUFORUM- The Change we Want Increased Influence of RUFORUM Universities Increased Influence of RUFORUM Universities Increased Influence of RUFORUM alumni Increased Influence of RUFORUM alumni RUFORUM becomes Regional Reference Point RUFORUM becomes Regional Reference Point

3. Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012 RUFORUM Strategic Goals 1.Capacity building (MSc, PhD, Post-doctoral & short courses) 2.Rationalized resource use for training & research 3.Innovative structures for training, research and outreach 4.Impact-oriented research in universities 5.Increase in the participation and voice of women in agricultural research, production and marketing 6.Increase the use of technology to support effective, decentralized learning and the sharing of knowledge 7.Advocacy, coordination & resource mobilization

4. Conceptualizing the System Producing a New Cadre of High-Performing, Graduates Demand Driven A gricultural Research Capacity by :  Competitive Grants Schema  Field Attachments  Research Methods  Institution Strengthening Grants  Mounting Courses on Emerging Issues  Feeding research results into curriculum  Commissioned Community Action Research  Regional Course-Based PhDs ICT Support for Research, Professional Communities, M&E, Dissemination & Advocacy Advocacy: Turning Research into Action  Farmer Outreach  Policy Outreach  University Outreach Professional Community Building  Peer Review  Intergenerational Mentoring  Biennial Network Assemblies  National Forums M&E Learning  RUFORUM M&E of programmes on an on- going basis  Methodology  Data and Knowledge Sharing  Capacity  External Evaluation Governance & Management for quality, transparency, and Performance Agricultural InnovationEmploymentPolicy & Practice Reform

5. Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012 Competitive Grants Objectives 1.Providing students with opportunities for problem-solving and practical experience –to be creative, improve teamwork and be responsive to deadlines and client demands. 2.Raise the profile and encourage better university recognition of the grassroots demands and needs for research and graduate skills in both their research and curricula. 3.Produce innovative and useful research that is effectively communicated 4.To link universities to farmers and develop mechanisms for dissemination of university research to rural communities and the servicing agencies.

6. Food Security in Africa: Bridging Research and Practice, November, 2012 Harnessing Africa- Australia Partnerships Strengthening centers of leadership to train a critical mass of agricultural scientists including in new and emergent areas such as dryland resource management, building resilience, etc.; Support for food security research through the Community Based Research (CARPs) and Competitive Grants to address smallholder farmer needs, entrepreneurship capacity, and closely link universities to rural areas; Engaging Australian partners to strengthen institutional capacity and quality of higher education programs; Enhance higher education for women.