The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) continues to play a pivotal role in transforming higher education in Africa. Through its visionary initiatives, RUFORUM seeks to empower universities and technical institutions to directly respond to the continent's development needs. One of its flagship initiatives is the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa's Growth and Development (TAGDev) programme. The current phase, TAGDev 2.0, is a renewed commitment to enhancing the impact of higher agricultural education across Africa.
What is TAGDev 2.0?
TAGDev 2.0 builds upon the success of the first phase of the programme. It is a strategic partnership between RUFORUM and the Mastercard Foundation, aimed at strengthening the capacity of universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to deliver quality, practical, and inclusive education. The programme also supports young people, particularly those from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds, to access transformative educational opportunities.
Key Objectives
- Empower institutions to produce graduates with practical skills and entrepreneurial mindsets.
- Encourage inclusive education by focusing on gender equity and support for rural youth.
- Promote applied research that directly addresses community and agricultural challenges.
- Drive institutional reforms to improve teaching, learning, and management systems.
Focus Areas
- TAGDev 2.0 places a strong emphasis on:
- Agri-entrepreneurship and innovation
- Community-engaged learning
- Curriculum reforms for practical and entrepreneurial education
- Strengthening university-community-industry linkages
Beneficiaries
The programme targets:
- Students, especially those from underserved communities
- Universities and TVET institutions
- Local communities who benefit from student-led innovations and research
- National and regional policymakers
Conclusion
TAGDev 2.0 is not just an education programme; it is a movement toward reshaping Africa's future through knowledge, innovation, and inclusive growth. By investing in youth and institutions, RUFORUM and its partners are laying the foundation for a prosperous and self-sustaining continent.