Universities Promoting Linkages For Impactful Training, Innovation and Technology Transfer in Agriculture (UPLIFT-Ag)

1. How can higher education institutions (HEIs) in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zimbabwe enhance their curricula and teaching methods to better align with the needs of the agriculture industry and improve graduates’ employability and entrepreneurial skills?
2. What strategies and frameworks can be developed to foster effective partnerships between HEIs and the agriculture industry to support impactful research, innovation, and technology transfer?
3. How can HEIs in the target countries build and sustain innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems, including the establishment and effective operation of incubation centers and technology transfer offices?

1. • Kenyatta University (KU), Kenya
   • Chuka University (CU) , Kenya
   • Taita Taveta University (TTU), Kenya
   • Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), Zimbabwe
   • Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Zimbabwe
   • University of Rwanda (UR), Rwanda
   • The University of Ngozi, Burundi
   • Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM), Italy
   • Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU), Germany  
   • University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark
   • University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), Rwanda

WP1: Project Management and Coordination This work package ensures effective day-to-day management, coordination, and reporting of the project. It includes managing data, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines, quality assurance, risk management, and financial management. The goal is to maintain high standards and timely implementation of project activities.

WP2: HEIs-Industry Partnerships and Collaborations This work package aims to enhance partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs) and industry. It involves assessing current capacities, organizing engagement forums, building capacity for effective collaboration, and improving management systems and policies to support these partnerships. The objective is to create sustainable and impactful collaborations for teaching, research, and technology transfer.

WP3: Improved Teaching Methods and Innovative Curricula This work package focuses on identifying and addressing gaps in current agriculture curricula. It involves developing and testing new teaching methods, creating innovative curricula that emphasize employability and entrepreneurship, and building capacity among HEI staff and industry partners. The goal is to modernize agricultural education to better meet industry needs.

WP4: Innovation and Entrepreneurial Capacity Strengthening This work package aims to enhance the capacity of HEIs to manage and commercialize intellectual property. It includes developing operational guidelines and sustainable business models for incubators, building capacity for technology transfer, and supporting the incubation of green innovations and start-ups. The objective is to foster a robust innovation ecosystem within HEIs.

WP5: Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation This work package focuses on promoting the project’s activities and results. It involves developing a communication and dissemination plan, building capacity for effective use of digital and non-digital media, and establishing a web portal for sharing project outputs. The goal is to maximize the impact and visibility of the project’s achievements.

Chirinda, N., Abdulkader, B., Hjortsø, C. N., Aitelkadi, K., Salako, K. V., Taarji, N., Mhada, M., Lamdaghri, Z., Romanova, G., Assogbadjo, A. E., Chadare, F. J., Saidi, M., Sassi, M., Mugonola, B., Gogo, E. O., Ssekandi, J., Okalany, E., Egeru. A., Mshenga, P. M., & Chfadi, T. (2024). Perspectives on the integration of agri-entrepreneurship in tertiary agricultural education in Africa: insights from the AgriENGAGE project. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8:1348167. DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1348167.

Hernández-Chea, R., Mahdad, M., Minh, T. T., & Hjortsø, C. N. (2021). Moving beyond intermediation: How intermediary organizations shape collaboration dynamics in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Technovation, 108, 102332. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102332.

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Hjortsø, C. N., Alexander, I. K., & Hernandez Chea, R. R. (2017). Experiences and lessons learned from the UniBRAIN Agribusiness Incubation Programme. Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen. IFRO Report, Nr. 266.

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