The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is pleased to share the final program schedule for the Triennial Conference and Africa Higher Education Week slated for 6th -10th December 2021 at Palais des Congres de Cotonou, Benin under the Theme ‘Operationalising Higher Education for Innovation, Industrialisation, Inclusion and Sustainable Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action’. It will be a blended event involving face-to-face meeting in Benin and virtual.
The Triennial conference aims to; 1) Catalyse investment in Higher Education for strengthening Africa’s’ Science, Technology and Innovation Capacity, 2) Promote international linkages and partnerships for strengthening Higher Education in Africa, 3) Promote youth employment and skills acquisition for development, and 4) Strengthen University-Private sector business linkages.
As part of this Triennial convening, a number of events will be held, notably; (i) a series of skills enhancement training for University researchers, students and other actors, (ii) exhibitions to profile research for development outcomes, (iv) specific convening to discuss topical issues affecting science, technology and innovation development in Africa; (v) meetings with policy and private sector leaders; and (vi) RUFORUM governance meetings. A number of pre-Conference events have already been held (see details in the https://www.ruforum.org/Triennial2021/) Some of the key Triennial events include the following:
- Promoting Intra-Africa and Global Partnership for Higher Education in Africa: Link
- University-Private Sector Engagement: Link
- Ministerial Round Table Dialogue: Link
- RUFORUM Board Meeting that will elect a new Board Chair and Vice-Chair to serve for the period 2022-2024: Link
- High level policy dialogue on Tracking Agriculture Development in Africa: Link
- High level policy dialogue on Building ST&I Capacity in Africa: Link
- Official Opening Ceremony of the Seventh African Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Triennial Conference by President of the Republic of Benin and Recognition awards to 17 individuals making impact on Africa’s Development: Link
- Reflections on Promoting inclusivity in Research and Development in Africa: Link
- RUFORUM Business meeting: Link
- Envisioning the future: A call for Action: Link
- Recognition Awards for outstanding farmers and upcoming Scientists from Benin: Link
RUFORUM invites you to participate face to face or virtually and you can also follow the proceedings through our communication platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Flicker and the Conference Website)
| DAY | MORNING SESSIONS 8:30-10:30 | BREAK | MID-MORNING SESSIONS 11:00-13:00 | LUNCH | AFTERNOON SESSIONS 14:00-17:00 | BREAK | EVENING SESSIONS 19:00-21:00 |
| MONDAY 06th-Dec-2021 | Exhibitions and Poster setup Venue: Palais des Congres Symposium: Global Partnership for Higher Education in Africa Venue: video conference (link: https://bit.ly/3ikDGR9 ) CARP Principal Investigators Meeting Venue: Meeting of Governments’ Technical Experts Venue: Physical meeting (venue TBC) Interdisciplinary Training for Postgraduate Students Venue: UAC | Setup Exhibitions and Poster Venue: Palais des Congres Symposium: Global Partnership for Higher Education in Africa Venue: video conference (link: https://bit.ly/3ikDGR9) CARP Principal Investigators Meeting Venue: Press briefing with TVs and Other Media Houses Venue: Meeting of Governments’ Technical Experts Venue: Physical meeting (venue TBC) Interdisciplinary Training for Postgraduate Students Venue: UAC | Formal Opening of the Exhibitions and Posters (by one of the Benin Ministers) Venue: Palais des Congres Symposium: Global Partnership for Higher Education in Africa Venue: video conference (link: https://bit.ly/3ikDGR9) CARP Principal Investigators Meeting Venue: Press briefing with TVs and Other Media Houses Venue: Interdisciplinary Training for Postgraduate Students Venue: UAC | Interactive session for University Leaders and Policy Makers (Dinner) Address from Reeta Roy, Mastercard President (TBC) | |||
| TUESDAY 07th-Dec-2021 | University-Private Sector Engagement Venue: TBC, Blended (Link: https://bit.ly/2ZzMiwc) CARP Principal Investigators Meeting Venue: Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres Side event: Virginia Tech Partnership with Egerton University and Others Venue: video conference (link: https://bit.ly/3gfpGXu) Enhancing the knowledge economy through universities – private sector partnership (Link: https://bit.ly/2ZzMiwc) | 10:30-11:00 | University-Private Sector Engagement Venue: , Blended (Link: https://bit.ly/2ZzMiwc) CARP Principal Investigators Meeting Venue: Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres Side event: Virginia Tech Positive youth development Venue: video conference (link: https://bit.ly/37Y5MvE) Enhancing the knowledge economy through universities – private sector partnership (Link: https://bit.ly/2ZzMiwc) | 13:00-14:00 | RUFORUM Board Meeting Venue: Ministerial Round Table Venue: PBL interaction with the Principals and Deans Venue: CARP Principal Investigators Meeting Venue: Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres Enhancing the knowledge economy through universities – private sector partnership Link: https://bit.ly/2ZzMiwc | 16:30-17:00 | Ministerial Dinner |
| WEDNESDAY 08th-Dec-2021 | Plenary Session 1 Theme: Fostering Agricultural Transformation in Africa-Mapping progress to date (country case studies) Venue: Palais des Congres : Blended (Link : https://bit.ly/3mVE6A9) Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres Side event: LEAP4NFSS Venue : Blended (Link: https://bit.ly/3zSvdu3) | 10:30-11:00 | Plenary Session 2 Theme: Higher Education: Building Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation Capacity Venue: Palais des Congres : Blended (Link : https://bit.ly/3mVE6A9) Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congrès Side event: LEAP4NFSS Venue : Blended Blended (Link: https://bit.ly/3zSvdu3) | 13:00-14:00 | Official Opening Ceremony of the Seventh African Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Triennial Conference (Address and Recognition Awards by H.E. Patrice TALON, The President of the Republic of Benin), Venue: Palais des Congres : Blended (Link : https://bit.ly/3AVfWdk ) Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres Side event: LEAP4NFSS Venue : Blended Blended (Link: https://bit.ly/3zSvdu3) | 17:30-21:30 | State Reception (by Government of Benin) Venue: |
| THURSDAY 09th-Dec-2021 | Parallel Scientific Sessions (see details in the programme booklet to be shared) Venue : Blended (Link:https://bit.ly/3t9PzwU) Young Innovators side event Venue: Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres An Integrated Approach to Workforce Education and Development: The Experience of Virginia Tech’s Center for International Research and Development International Engagements Venue : https://bit.ly/3oK4NIS Country / Policy dialogues Venue: DESIRA LIFT side event Venue : | 10:30-11:00 | Parallel Scientific Sessions (see details in the programme booklet to be shared) Venue : Blended (Link:https://bit.ly/3t9PzwU) Young Innovators side event Venue: Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres Country / Policy dialogues Venue : DESIRA LIFT side event Venue : | 13:00-14:00 | Parallel Scientific Sessions (see details in the programme booklet to be shared) Venue : Blended (Link:https://bit.ly/3t9PzwU) Young Innovators side event Venue: Reflections on Promoting inclusivity in R&D in Africa Blended: Palais des Congres (Link : https://bit.ly/2WhsBYR) Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres ` DESIRA LIFT side event Venue : | 17:30-21:30 | Reflections on the RUFORUM Journey and Envisioning the Future (Dinner) Venue: Evening Event for Women Leaders and Selected Guests Venue: |
| FRIDAY 10th-Dec-2021 | RUFORUM Annual General Meeting Venue: Blended (Link: https://bit.ly/39FKdAF) Evaluating the Impact of Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Training Venue: Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres | 10:30-11:00 | RUFORUM Annual General Meeting Venue: Blended (Link: https://bit.ly/39FKdAF) Evaluating the Impact of Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Training Venue: Exhibitions and Poster viewing Venue: Palais des Congres | 13:00-14:00 | Closing Ceremony: Thoughts on a future Africa: A Call for Action Recognition Awards for Young Innovators & Farmers from Benin and outstanding contributors to Africa’s development Launch of Higher Education Book Venue: Palais des Congres | 17:30-21:30 | Gala Dinner by the Government of Benin (TBC) Venue: |
| SATURDAY 11th-Dec-2021 | TOURS and Field Visit | 10:30-11:00 | TOURS and Field Visits | 13:00-14:00 | Meeting of LOC, ROC, and 2022 AGM Team from Zimbabwe Venue: Blended | 16:45-17:30 |
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