Chuka University Uplift-Ag Team Participates In The Project’s Year 2 Consortium Meeting In Zimbabwe

The Universities Promoting Linkages for Impactful Training, Innovation, and Technology Transfer (UPLIFT) in Agriculture (UPLIFT-Ag) Project held its second consortium meeting from March 4th to 8th, 2025, at the Montclair Hotel in Nyanga, Zimbabwe. Members from the 12 participating universities were hosted by the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOP) and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). The event brought together 27 male and 7 female participants from nine universities in Africa and three from Europe.

Chuka University was represented by Prof. Munyiri S.W., Prof. Wambugu S.K., and Ms. Judy Wamuya, the Project Administrator. The consortium conference received progress reports and reviewed and discussed the UPLIFT-Ag Project activities across 5 work packages. These included, among others, a baseline analysis of gaps in agricultural curriculum content and teaching methods, the development and testing of improved teaching methods, the creation and implementation of innovative curricula, capacity building in higher education institutions (HEIs) and industry partnerships to support these curricula, and the strengthening of innovation and entrepreneurial capacity in HEIs.

Prof. Stephen Wambugu presented a report on behalf of the Chuka University chapter regarding Work Package 3 (WP3), which focuses on innovative methods for teaching agriculture. He discussed the proposed curriculum review, which will incorporate agricultural industry partners in co-teaching among other initiatives. The Curriculums to be reviewed under UPLIFT.Ag project will begin with the BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture programs, with additional curriculum reviews planned for the coming years within the Faculty of Agriculture departments.

Prof. Shelmith Munyiri, who leads activities under Work Package 2, reported on the joint progress of strengthening university-industry partnerships. This work package assesses HEIs’ capacity to engage with industry partnerships for effective teaching and research in agriculture. It also includes organizing university-industry engagement forums, events, and conferences to establish long term collaboration platforms. Prof. Munyiri emphasized the need for universities to enhance their management systems and policies to facilitate seamless industry partnerships and efficient service delivery.

The consortium concluded with a field excursion to Clairemont Farm, which specializes in apple and peach production as well as trout farming. After visiting the farm, the team explored the popular tourist site, ‘The Rhodes World View’.