Prof. Patrick Okori
Dear Esteemed Visitors,
It is my pleasure and singular honour to welcome you to the RUFORUM website.
Africa, the world's youngest continent, must translate its young population into the 21st century workforce to reap a demographic dividend.
Numerous studies demonstrate the necessity of putting in place inclusive education programmes that address gender and diversity concerns in order for the continent to reap a demographic dividend.
Additionally, the continent must address the imbalances in access to knowledge, skills for research, leadership and entrepreneurship skills, science outputs and policy impacts. This calls for a new strategic vision that involves co-created and impactful partnerships that develop the requisite human capital for Africa's agrifood systems transformation.
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) has been working since 2004 to strengthen African Universities capacity to implement relevant impact oriented graduate programmes at Masters and Doctoral degrees. It also implements Post-Doctoral fellowships to nurture the next generation of science leaders.
RUFORUM enhances networking and collaboration among its 175 member universities in 40 countries in Africa. Additionally, RUFORUM works with the private sector and farming communities, governments, sub-regional and continental bodies, as well as institutions from the global south and north.
Our strategic vision 2030 of "Vibrant transformative universities catalyzing sustainable inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa" is being implemented through five-year operational plans.
As we commence the third decade of the RUFORUM journey, we continue through the diverse network of universities to nurture highly skilled graduates equipped with 21st century skills, generating innovative scientific solutions for Africa.