[Press Release] Seventh African Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Triennial Conference

Kampala 17 August 2021: The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is pleased to announce the Seventh African Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Triennial Conference that will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Benin in partnership with the University of Abomey Calavi, University of Parakou and the National University of Agriculture, from the 06th – 10th December, 2021 at Palais des Congres de Cotonou, Benin.

The Seventh African Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Triennial Conference will run under the theme “Operationalising Higher Education for Innovation, Industrialisation, Inclusion and Sustainable Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action”

The conference will bring together participants from across Africa and the world to discuss how African universities are working toward improving their mandates of training, research and outreach, to produce innovations and entrepreneurial youth that meet the demands in the global competitive market. The participants will be drawn from Universities, Civil Society Organizations-CSOs, National and International Research Organizations, Development Partners, Governments, Continental and Regional Organizations, African Union Commission, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Non-Governmental Organizations, the Private sector, farmers & farmer representatives, emerging & early career researchers, and young entrepreneurs from especially Benin and other West African countries. Universities, private sector actors and young entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations, products and services. Due to the restrictions and risks associated with the COVID-19, African Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Triennial Conference is being organized using a blended approach, which will include both face-to-face and virtual meetings.

RUFORUM will recognise farmers that have made significant contribution to agricultural transformation in Benin as a way of supporting national advancement and transformation of agriculture. RUFORUM shall also recognise scientists and other actors that have made significant contribution and supported the advancement of excellence in research and higher education for the development of Africa. Young Innovators and Entrepreneurs from Benin will be recognised to promote the contribution of the youth to the economic development of Africa and to provide youth with the forum to demonstrate their innovations.

The Conference will be preceded by several virtual side events including: Scientific Data Management training for Post-Graduate Students Using R Programming Language, Evaluating the Impact of Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Training, Social media training for students, Interdisciplinary Training for Early Career Scientists & doctoral students, and a business & entrepreneurship training for Young Innovators and entrepreneurs.

This year, because of the COVID-19 restrictions and risks associated with travel during this period, it will not be possible for all delegates to travel to Benin to participate. Therefore, some delegates will be requested to participate virtually through an online platform. We have therefore designed the attendance Questionnaire for RUFORUM Triennial Conference 2021 to enable the organizers know your preference in terms of traveling to Benin or attending the event face to face or virtually. We will also be happy to get essential information about you to enable effective planning.

This questionnaire is expected to take not more than 7 minutes of your time.

Note to Editors

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