The University of Eldoret (UoE) joined Egerton University in a three-day orientation programme for the second and third cohort of scholars under the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) programme.
The joint orientation, held from 4th to 6th September 2026 at Egerton University, brought together 73 Cohort 2 & 3 TAGDev 2.0 scholars, comprising 31 scholars from the University of Eldoret and 42 from Egerton University.
Held under the theme, “From Learning to Action: Nurturing TAGDev Scholars as Agents of Agricultural Transformation and Development in Africa,” the orientation seeks to prepare the scholars for a purposeful university experience anchored on learning, innovation, research, leadership, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
The programme is implemented from 2023 to 2033 by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), seeks to empower young women and men while strengthening African agricultural universities to contribute to inclusive, equitable and resilient socio-economic development.
The orientation provides an important entry point for the new scholars to understand that the TAGDev scholarship extends beyond financial support and academic achievement. It positions students as emerging AgLeaders with a responsibility to apply their knowledge and skills to address real world challenges within their communities and contribute to Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Speaking during the orientation, facilitators engaged the scholars on a range of topics designed to strengthen their personal, academic and professional competencies. These included personal mastery, psychosocial support and resilience, digital skills, financial management, entrepreneurship, innovation, human rights, inclusion, safeguarding, conflict management and community engagement.
The programme also exposed scholars to practical experiences from TAGDev alumni, providing them with insights into how university education can be translated into careers, enterprises, innovations and community impact.
For the University of Eldoret scholars, the orientation marks the beginning of a journey in which their academic programmes are expected to connect with broader development challenges and opportunities.
The sessions encourage students to view their respective disciplines not merely as pathways to academic qualifications, but as tools for solving problems, creating opportunities and delivering value to society.
A key focus of the orientation was therefore the transition from learning to action. Scholars were encouraged to begin identifying how their knowledge, research and emerging innovations can respond to challenges facing communities and the agricultural sector, even while they are still at university.
The orientation also places emphasis on responsible scholarship. Students are equipped with knowledge on prudent financial management, resource optimization, safeguarding, human rights and constructive conflict resolution as foundations for responsible participation in the university and wider society.
The three-day programme culminated in a session on “Agricultural Transformation: Where Do I Fit?”, led by Egerton TAGDev 2.0’s Coordinator Prof. Nancy Mungai, which challenges scholars to identify their role in Africa’s agricultural transformation regardless of their individual fields of study.
Through TAGDev 2.0, the University of Eldoret continues to contribute to the development of a generation of young professionals equipped not only with academic knowledge, but also with the skills, values and mindset required to become responsible leaders, innovators and contributors to Africa’s development.
As the Cohort 3 and 2 scholars embark on their university journey, the message is clear, education is not an end in itself, but a platform for action, innovation and impact.
