[Press Release] RUFORUM Delegation Meets Two Beninese Ministers and Other Government Officials, Republic of Benin

Cotonou 29 November 2021: The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) delegation today met two Ministers of Beninese Government to update them about the arrangements of the RUFORUM Triennial Conference and to thank the Government for accepting to host this year’s Conference. The RUFORUM Delegation, led by Professor Adipala Ekwamu, the Executive Secretary, paid a courtesy call also to discuss possible collaborations between Benin Government and the RUFORUM Network. The RUFORUM Delegation met with Hon. Professor Eléonore Ladekan Yayi, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Hon. Gaston Dossouhoui, the Minister of Agriculture and other Government Officials, Republic of Benin.  

The Seventh Africa Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Triennial Conference 2021 is hosted by Beninese Government through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, working with RUFORUM member universities in Benin; University of Abomey Calavi, National University of Agriculture, and University of Parakou. It will run from the 06^th to 10^th December, 2021 at Palais des Congres in Cotonou under the theme “Operationalising Higher Education for Innovation, Industrialisation, Inclusion and Sustainable Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action”.

Professor Adipala Ekwamu, who was accompanied by Dr Florence Nakayiwa (Deputy Executive Secretary), Dr Alice Mweetwa (also Deputy Executive Secretary), Dr Anthony Egeru (Manager of Training and Community Development), Dr Francis Otto (Manager of Knowledge Hub), Ms. Judith Nakyobe (Manager of Finance and Administration), Dr Sylvanus Mensah (Technical Specialist) and Ms. Evaline Acan (Communication Officer) expressed his utmost appreciation to the Government of Benin for the support given to RUFORUM especially support the hosting of this year’s Triennial Conference, which is expected to 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 two Beninese Ministers expressed their happiness about the role RUFORUM is playing in supporting the transformation process of Africa under the able leadership of Professor Adipala Ekwamu. They further committed that the Benin Government is willing to continue providing support to RUFORUM activities and collaborative initiatives in terms of Higher Agricultural Education, Science, Technology and Innovation for the development of Benin and Africa at large. They further pledged that the Government leadership will participate in the forth coming RUFORUM Triennial Conference activities happening in Cotonou, Benin.