Browsing by Author "Tenywa, M"

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    Experiences in Implementing the Strengthening Agricultural and Environmental Capacities through Distance Education (SAEC-DE) Project
    (2008-09) Tenywa, M; Grunwald, S; Mwang’ombe, A W; Hesse, E; Vanlauwe, B; Fungo, B
    PCF5 Sub-theme: Livelihoods // The “Strengthening Agricultural and Environmental Capacities through Distance Education (SAEC-DE), is a pilot distance education program being implemented by a consortium of partners; Makerere University - Uganda, University of Nairobi Kenya, University of Florida and CIAT and funded by USAID. The program was developed after realizing that the face-to-face mode predominantly used in SSA for training has increasingly been found to be inept to meet the diverse needs of the prospective clients (e.g. working class and remotely living students). The objectives of the program are to: (i) develop long term collaboration among universities in the North and South and CGIAR for joint capacity strengthening and mentoring of students (ii) demonstrate an alternative and complementary model for ICT-based MSc. training, (iii) increase capacity of individuals and institutions in relevant program and distance education, and (iv) advance distance education in partner institutions. // The program was phased into three phases, namely; testing, piloting and full implementation. The testing was done in Fall (Sept-Dec) of 2005, using 12 guest students Colombia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to generate experiences to inform the piloting process. The Pilot phase was started in the spring of 2006 with four candidates that were recruited from the Universities of Nairobi, Makerere and Columbia in Environmental Soil Science and Agricultural Entomology. The content delivery is largely electronic complemented by multi-media products (e.g. CDs, books, lab kits) delivered by courier. In terms of research work, the students are at various stages with some having started addressing locally relevant issues under joint supervision of the universities professors and CGIAR researchers. // Based on the implementation so far, it can be deduced that distance education offers a viable alternative for lowering education costs, increasing professional retention and keeping trainees within their professional and home environments. This proposal seeks to provide a platform for sharing with stakeholders our experiences in implementing the Web-based ICT-based postgraduate training in agricultural and environmental education in the region that enhances exposures and motivates learners in intercultural platform. The platform will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share relevant lessons and experiences on Policies and programmes that enhance student learning, development of course content that are internationally appealing and conduct of locally relevant research. It is hoped that we will come out with the answer the question –What distance learning programmes and policies are requisite to produce a graduate that is locally relevant yet can favourably compete for the job market globally in the relevant agricultural fields? // Paper ID 472
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    Using ICT to Improve the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Uganda National Agricultural Systems
    (2008-09) Tenywa, M; Niyitengeka, M; Bekunda, M; Nakanyike-Musisi, B; Katunguka, S; Tumusiime, F; Fungo, B; Basse, S; Wire, J; Alluri, K
    PCF5 Sub-theme: Livelihoods // Uganda is gifted by nature with extremely high agricultural potential and yet the agriculture sector remains weak and less competitive. Farmers in Uganda are only able to market one third of their total food production. For example, Uganda ranks the second top most in producing bananas in the world but falls at the bottom of the list in terms of sales globally. This discrepancy is interalia attributed to the weak linkage between supply and demand sides of the agriculture sector. Education, research, extension, NGOs, private sector and policy makers, who are the main actors and functionaries of the innovation system, remain detached. Predicated on this, stakeholders of the Uganda National Agricultural Innovation System (UNAIS) have come together to develop a multimedia platform that includes mobile phone and the Internet (www.eunais.co.ug) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural marketing processes between smallholder producers and consumers. The platform, which includes three components, sms media, news and discussion forum, is designed using simple open source software, Joomla, to cater for the diverse interests of the stakeholders and ensure lifelong learning. The platform, launched by the President of Commonwealth of Learning at the 2007 CHOGM meeting in Kampala, Uganda, was received with overwhelming enthusiasm by farmers. // eUNAIS as well as partner-COL seeks to provide a platform for sharing with stakeholders our experiences in implementing an ICT based model to strengthen the performance of NARS including farmer access to markets. The platform will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share relevant lessons and experiences in their NARS. It is hoped that we will come out with the answer the question –What is the best model for ensuring effectiveness and efficiency of the NARS in terms of learning and improvement of livelihoods.? // Paper ID 471