Description
RUFORUM is a consortium of 29 universities in Eastern, Central, and
Southern Africa. RUFORUM has a mandate to oversee graduate training and
networks of specialization in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern
Africa (COMESA) countries. Specifically, RUFORUM recognizes the
important and largely unfulfilled role that universities play in contributing to
the well-being of small-scale farmers and economic development of countries
throughout the sub-Saharan Africa region. RUFORUM's overall guiding
principle is proactive engagement with stakeholders in graduate training,
research, and development processes.
Purpose
RUFORUM’s mission is to strengthen the capacities of universities to foster
innovations responsive to demands of small-holder farmers through: the
training of high quality researchers; the output of impact-oriented research;
and, the maintenance of collaborative working relations among researchers,
farmers, national agricultural research institutions, and governments.
Scope International – Regional focus: Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa (with
some projects in West Africa).
Primary Funders
Funding of university research and training is largely provided by the public
sector (government and development Partners' community); however,
opportunities to mobilize resources from public-private sector partnerships,
inter-sectoral linkages, and regional and international networks are being
explored.
Participants & Key Collaborators
Member universities are located in at least 16 countries of Eastern, Central, and
Southern Africa. Key partners include over 150 NGOs (within and outside
Africa), governments, universities, foundations, initiatives, networks, research
centers, and corporations.
Definition of One Health
None. However, the work of RUFORUM supports strengthening public health
activities with a one health approach addressing human and animal health
jointly.
Monitoring & Evaluation Strategy
RUFORUM has a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) strategy that involves
determining the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of activities in meeting
overall program objectives and providing means of taking corrective actions as
needed. Overall program objectives, outcomes and impact are externally
evaluated on a 3-5 year basis.
Sources of Information
RUFORUM Website: http://www.ruforum.org/
Contact RUFORUM Secretariat
