BecA-ILRI Hub capacity building program: Empowering African scientists and institutions to solve Africa’s agricultural challenges
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The document summarizes the BecA-ILRI Hub Capacity Building Programme which aims to empower African scientists and institutions to solve agricultural challenges. It discusses how the programme provides research fellowships, training workshops, and institutional capacity building through the Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund. Over 550 scientists from 27 countries have been trained, 226 research fellows supported from 21 countries, and emerging outcomes include contributions to impact, increased publications, and forming communities of practice. The programme seeks to grow through engaging alumni and strengthening sustainability.
BecA-ILRI Hub capacity building program: Empowering African scientists and institutions to solve Africa’s agricultural challenges
- 1. BecA-ILRI Hub Capacity Building Programme Empowering African scientists and institutions to solve Africa’s agricultural challenges Wellington Ekaya On behalf of BecA-ILRI Hub ILRI Capacity Development Week, 14-17 December 2015
- 2. Presentation outline Introduction What the BecA-ILRI Hub capacity Building Program is responding to Capacity Building Objectives The Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund Outputs and Emerging outcomes (highlights) Programme Growth / Scale-out Strategy Acknowledgements
- 3. AU/NEPAD Establishing biosciences centres for excellence in Africa AU/NEPAD => Africa Biosciences Initiative (ABI): Creation of four centers for excellence (with regional networks) BecA (Biosciences eastern and central Africa) for countries in eastern and central Africa SANBio (Southern African Network for Biosciences) for southern African countries WABNet (West African Biosciences Network) consisting of ECOWAS countries NABNet (North African Biosciences Network) for Northern African countries.
- 4. • Low critical mass of NARS scientists in biosciences research • Weak / ineffective links and partnerships • Weak research infrastructure • NARS opportunities to effectively leverage advances in biosciences for AR4D • CAADP AGENDA • S3A What the BecA-ILRI Hub Capacity Building Program is responding to
- 5. BecA-ILRI Hub: capacity building objectives • Strengthen capacity of NARS to harness the latest biosciences technologies to improve agriculture in Africa • Support NARS scientists efforts to lead and sustain biosciences research for development in Africa • Promote access to world-class research facilities at the BecA–ILRI Hub and others • Mobilize capacities in African NARS and beyond for joint actions for improving agriculture in Africa
- 6. Capacity building at BecA-ILRI Hub Brand: The Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund Capacity building is conducted via four streams: 1. ABCF Research Fellowships • Competitive but with in-built strategies: consideration for less resourced NARS, Women representation, PAPA/sustainability, 2. Training workshops 3. Institutional capacity building 4. Providing a platform for joint actions by NARS
- 7. Capacity Building Implementation Approach Supervision and Mentorship of Research Fellows • Full time BecA Hub Scientists and Research Associates • BecA Hub Extended Faculty • Visiting Scientists: NARS & I R Institutes • ABCF Fellows (Senior Research Scientists) • ILRI Biosciences, + • Weekly and Invited Guest Seminars • Emphasis on hands-on and skills/knowledge transfer • Return to home-institution preparation
- 8. •Key skills areas with large demand 1. Introduction to Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics 2. Advanced Bioinformatics and Genomics 3. Laboratory Management and Equipment Operations 4. Scientific Research Paper Writing 5. Animal Quantitative Genetics and Genomics • Taking the workshops to the region • Tailor-made courses BecA Annual Workshops
- 9. Institutional capacity building: key aspects Photo: © Bill& MelindaGates Foundation/Kate Holt • Technical assistance (lab design and management, equipment installation and commissioning, training of equipment engineers) • Transfer of technologies following training of scientists from the BecA-ILRI Hub to the NARS (e.g. diagnostic assays and techniques) • Resource mobilization for capacity building and research infrastructural development • Connections to networks and key influencers (e.g. suppliers of reagents and lab equipment).
- 10. Mobilizing capacities for joint action • Agricultural Research Connections Workshops Encouraging Scientific Research Collaborations to Benefit African Farmers • PAPA (Participant Action Plan Approach) Mechanism • Communities of Practice • Resource Mobilization e.g. ACE II
- 11. Main achievements - highlights • Outputs • Emerging Outcomes
- 12. • Total No: 226 (by end 2015) • Drawn from: 21 African Countries • Research focus: • Livestock Improvement • Crop Improvement • Nutrition and Food Safety • Climate Change • Underutilized Species of Crops and Livestock • Wide scope within – project topics Main achievements: ABCF research Fellows
- 13. Contribution of ABCF projects to BecA Hub and ILRI mission Livestock Research / Improvement (32%) Crops Research / Improvement (44%) Food Safety and Nutrition (11%) Under-utilized Species (6%) Climate Change (4%) Others (e.g. Medicinal Plants, Bush Meat, Bees…)(2%)
- 14. • Total No. Trained: 556 • Drawn from: 27 African Countries • Female Proportion: >50% Main achievements: Training workshops
- 15. • Papers in peer-reviewed Journals: • Total journal papers: 156 • Papers published by ABCF Fellows: 61 • Manuscripts: over 50 Main achievements: Publications
- 16. • 4 CoPs at nascent stages • Taro improvement (4 countries) • Chicken genetics (3 countries) • Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (4 countries) • Striga resistance (3 countries) Main achievements: Nascent CoPs
- 17. Main achievements - highlights • Emerging outcomes
- 18. How we got to know.. • External Review by Dalberg Consultants -2014 • Testimonies by BecA-ILRI Hub alumni • What our partners are saying • BecA-ILRI Hub experiences
- 19. Main achievements: Emerging outcomes Very strong endorsement by stakeholders of the ABCF
- 20. Main achievements: emerging outcomes • ABCF contribution to downstream impact (Examples) • Gulu University, Uganda o Impact Statement • Central Veterinary Research Laboratories, Kenya o Capacity of the laboratory • Sudan o Striga-resistant Sorghum varieties released • Increased awareness about the BecA-ILRI Hub
- 21. Programme Growth/Scale out strategy BecA-ILRI Hub Alumni have a central role to play Catalyzing and facilitating CoPs : o Creating research leaders Extending BecA-ILRI Hub’s influence beyond research boundaries o University curricula; Policy Entrenching sustainability o Engage National Councils for Science and Technology Strengthening the linkages with intermediary organizations – e.g. ISAAA
- 23. 2002 – 2007 Establishment phase 2007 – 2012 Implementation phase 2012 – Innovation phase Business Plan 2013-2018 Acknowledgement :BecA Investors
Editor's Notes
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