University of Eldoret team led by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot joined the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) for the Second RUFORUM Triennial Conference 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.

The 2nd RUFORUM Triennial Conference, hosted by the Government of Namibia and the RUFORUM member Universities in Namibia (the University of Nambia, the Namibia University of Science and Technology and the International University of Management) together with the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology, Namibia, takes place under the theme "Operationalizing Higher Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industrialization, and Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action,” between August 12th – 16th, 2024.

The conference was officially opened by Dr. Itah Kanojii-Murangi, the Minister for Higher Education, Technology and Innovation in Namibia. In her keynote speech, she said that the RUFORUM was a call for Africa to attain food security, and food self-reliance leading to food sovereignty through the transformation of the agricultural sector into wealth creation and improvement of the quality of life and material conditions of the African people.

The conference aims to transform agriculture in Africa through innovative scientific research, and educational and training approaches. As the need to feed a growing population continues to grow, it was noted that there is a collective responsibility to reflect on the role of Higher Agricultural Education in Africa – both technically and in person – to mitigate new challenges and tap on new opportunities. Over the week discussions will focus on challenges and opportunities as the Universities operationalize Higher Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industrialization, and Economic Development in Africa, working within the theme for the conference. 
As a member of RUFORUM and one of the twelve TAGDev 2.0 implementing Universities, the University of Eldoret is committed to train and support the next generation of science leaders, entrepreneurs and job and wealth creators thus becoming a Centre of Leadership focusing on the integration of digital technology and building capacity for young people, people with disabilities and refugees.

The University team members in Namibia are Prof. Julius Ochuodho (UoE Coordinator of RUFORUM program), Dr. Nicholas Rop (Dean, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology), Dr, Ruth Njoroge, Dr. Abigael Otinga, Dr. Javan Were and Ms. Cynthia Chebii (Asst. Registrar-Corporate Affairs and Marketing).

It will be a week of upskilling, networking and creating linkages to the benefit of the University.