The Uplift-Ag Project Chuka University Chapter Team Holds A Lecturers’ Feedback Workshop

The UPLIFT-Ag (Universities Promoting Linkages for Impactful Training, Innovation and Technology Transfer in Agriculture) Project Team at Chuka University Chapter held a feedback Workshop for Lecturers in the Faculty of Agriculture (FAGRI) on Work Packages (WP) 2 and 3. The UPLIFT-Ag Project comprises of nine African universities from Four countries (Kenya, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Burundi), and three European Universities (Germany, Italy and Denmark). The UPLIFT-Ag aims to transform higher education institutions (HEIs) into hubs of impactful training, innovation, and technology transfer in agriculture. The project brings together leading institutions in creating a robust platform for collaboration between the Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and Industry Partners in Agriculture to bridge the gap in agricultural-based course training in relation to the expectation of Industry. The HEIs involved include Kenyatta University, Chuka University, and Taita Taveta University from Kenya; University of Rwanda and University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK) from Rwanda; Université de Ngozi and Université du Burundi from Burundi; Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) and Chinhoyi University of Technology from Zibambwe; Hochschule Neu-Ulm (HNU) from Germany, University of Copenhagen from Denmark and Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) from Italy.

The UPLIFT-Ag Project is designed to enhance the effectiveness of HEIs in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zimbabwe by fostering stronger relationships between universities and stakeholders in the agricultural industry. This ambitious initiative focuses on Innovative teaching approaches, with specific roles for industry actors in co-teaching activities in the universities. These partnerships aim to design curricula that enhance students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes for employability and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the project emphasizes strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of HEIs through the establishment and reinforcement of innovation incubation Centres and technology transfer offices (TTOs). These Centres will serve as vital links between academia and industry, ensuring that cutting-edge research is effectively translated into practical, real-world applications. Promoting impactful research and the commercialization of technologies is also a key focus. The project underlines the importance of high-quality training that equips graduates with the tools to address agricultural challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.