Updates

The UPLIFT Agriculture Project has released the University–Industry Collaboration Baseline Study Report 2025. This report examines how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zimbabwe collaborate with industry to improve agricultural training, research, innovation, and technology transfer. It highlights current challenges, success stories, and actionable recommendations to bridge the gap between academia and practice.

Key insights include:

• How informal and formal partnerships between HEIs and industry are working today
• The role of third parties (NGOs, government, associations) in building linkages
• Barriers slowing down collaboration and how to overcome them
• Policy and practical recommendations for universities, industry, and governments

Click below to explore the full report with detailed findings and recommendations:

📖 Open Full Report here

The Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), in partnership with the Tobacco Leaf Exporters Association of Zimbabwe (TLEAZ), hosted the 2025 Water Heater Innovation Competition in Zimbabwe. The event encouraged clean energy innovations and demonstrated how universities can work closely with industry to address real-world challenges.

Strengthening Agricultural Education for Industry Needs

The UPLIFT project conducted a baseline survey on curriculum and teaching methods in agriculture across nine African universities. The study involved 453 students and 171 lecturers from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zimbabwe, and explored how well current training prepares graduates for the realities of the agricultural sector.

Findings show that while both students and lecturers are generally positive about the training offered, there are significant gaps in industry engagement, modern teaching facilities, and use of innovative teaching methods. For example, many respondents highlighted limited opportunities for “learning by doing” within industry, low access to modern tools such as drones and agritech demonstration centres, and low confidence in newer teaching approaches like flipped classrooms and simulation.

The results will guide UPLIFT’s Work Package 3 in developing more innovative curricula, stronger university–industry partnerships, and improved teaching practices that equip graduates with practical, entrepreneurial, and digital skills needed in modern agriculture.

🔑 Key Highlights

• Survey covered 9 African universities (Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe).
• 453 students and 171 lecturers responded (June–September 2024).
• Only 11.5% of lecturers said curricula are fully aligned to industry needs.
• Students reported gaps in learning-by-doing and industry exposure.
• Facilities like drones, sensors, incubation centres, and agritech demo farms were widely reported as inadequate or missing.
• Both students and lecturers support more industry involvement in teaching, curriculum design, and practical training. 

Read the Full Report 

The UPLIFT-Ag Project convened its 2nd Consortium Meeting from 5–7 March 2025 in Nyanga, Zimbabwe, gathering partners from nine African and three European universities together with industry representatives. The discussions focused on strengthening agriculture curricula, adopting innovative teaching methods, enhancing university–industry linkages, and building entrepreneurial capacity. The meeting produced a clear roadmap for capacity building, strategies for incubators and technology transfer, and practical insights from field visits to local agro-industries.

As UPLIFT-Ag’s coordinating institution, Kenyatta University anchored Year 1 activities , leading governance, data management, and cross-country collaboration.

From launching the project to pioneering curriculum reforms and innovation platforms, KU ensured that universities, industry, and students worked hand-in-hand to shape Africa’s agricultural future.

📊 Year 1 at a Glance 

• 50+ delegates at the project launch (Feb 2024) 
• 20+ universities represented at the 4th National Agriculture Summit 2024
• 150+ staff trained in partnership & collaboration (Nov 2024)
• 20+ student innovations showcased at KU Innovation Day
• A technology demonstration farm launched at Kitui Campus