Title of the Abstract presented “Decolonization of agricultural education in East Africa’s universities: Early and projected outcomes of AgrCBE project as a path to Competency-based learning.”

List of contributors: Joseph Gichini Gatama, Jennifer Ohemeng, John Atwine, Godfrey Omoda-Onyaiti, Junior Senyonga Kasima[1] and Basil Mugonola

The symposium brought together teacher educators from East and West Africa. Although the symposium targeted teacher educators, the AgrCBE concept was notably selected (and the only one in the field of Agriculture) as it aimed to address a topic of increasing importance (adoption of Competency-based Agricultural Curricular in East Africa’s Higher Education Institutions). Our abstract was rightly aligned with the symposium theme: “Curriculum Development and Decolonization of Education in East Africa” Within East Africa, Competency-based curricula (CBC) are mainly being implemented up to the secondary level.

The CBC-trained students will soon join university, yet university staff are not well equipped with the necessary competences to implement CBC. This was the focus of the presentation.

The symposium was attended by over 50 participants and 11 participants attended the AgrCBE presentation, mainly staff of Makerere University and a representative from National Curriculum Development Centre (the body which is behind the secondary school CBC).

This report was written by Junior Senyonga Kasima who presented at the event on behalf of the project.

The AgrCBE team from Bishop Stuart University actively participated in the 15th NCHE Exhibition, 27th-29th, March 2025 at KAMUKUZI GROUNDS MBARARA DISTRICT. The communication focused on fostering graduate employability and developing competences among staff in HEIs. The objective was to network with stakeholders in academia, government, and industry and enhance the visibility of BSU and promote AgrCBE related objectives and related work.

Outcomes

As a result of the teams participation there, is enhanced public awareness of AgrCBE-BSU’s offerings and impact.

Strengthened partnerships with government agencies, private sector players, and other academic institutions.

Positive feedback from NCHE officials and attendees regarding the relevance and timeliness of the project.

The AgrCBE BSU team’s participation in the NCHE Exhibition was a success, fulfilling its objectives & demonstrating BSU’s commitment to AgrCBE initiatives. The event provided a platform to highlight AgrCBE support on enhancing adoption of competence based agricultural curricula in HEIs in East Africa.

Report: Bishop Stuart University (BSU)

The insights gained from the first registration round of project training organized has is out. We're excited to share some fresh insights into the relevance of the need for competency-based education training gleaned from our latest data supported by data from the successful campaign for registration to the first training dubbed Formulating Professional and Competence Profiles for Competence Based Education (CBE) Curricula.  There was a total of 229 people who registered to participate, more than doubling the target of 100 set initially.

The AgrCBE consortia members convened for the first face to face meeting for the official kick off event between 11th-16th January 2025 in Gulu, Uganda. In attendance were representatives from the Egerton University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Natural resources.

The main objective for the gathering was to help partners get to know each other to establish a stronger collaborative relationship. Additionally, it was an opportunity to build a shared understanding of the vision and long term and objectives.

The overall aim of the project is the strengthen the partner country education governance authorities’ capacity to support competence-based, work relevant and inclusive higher education for societal and environmental development.

In the end, the consortium partner committed to be the pathfinders and pace setters in this unfamiliar territory of competence based education.