Collaboration IUCEA-EABC for Promoting Knowledge Economies in East Africa

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Amy Thornton
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1 Collaboration IUCEA-EABC for Promoting Knowledge Economies in East Africa Presentation to the CAAST-Net Plus Workshop Bergen 7-8 th September 2015 Prof Pontien Ndabaneze Deputy Executive Secretary Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)

2 OUTLINE 1. Presentation of IUCEA 2. Drivers of IUCEA-EABC Partnership 3. Academia-Public- Private Partnership 4. Research and Innovation Capacity Building Programme 5. Conclusion

3 Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) An East African Community (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania & Uganda) Institution responsible for coordinating higher education and research. Mission: to promote strategic and sustainable development of higher education systems and research for supporting socioeconomic development and regional integration Objective: Facilitating networking among universities in East Africa and with universities outside East Africa Provide a forum for discussion on a wide range of academic and other matters relating to higher education in East Africa facilitate the maintenance of internationally comparable higher education standards in East Africa so as to promote the region's competitiveness

4 Inter-University Council for East Africa Its functions include: (IUCEA) advising the Community on matters related to higher education so as to contribute to meeting national and regional development needs coordinating inter-university cooperation in East Africa promoting internationally comparable higher education standards and systems for sustainable socio-economic development

5 INTER-UNIVERSITY COUNCIL FOR EAST AFRICA Established in 1980 by the then three universities of Nairobi(Kenya), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)and Makerere University(Uganda) Legally established by a Protocol signed by the Ministries in charge of higher education from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2002 An Act guiding operations of the IUCEA was enacted by the East African Legislative Assembly in 2009.

6 INTER-UNIVERSITY COUNCIL FOR EAST AFRICA Members of the Council are: Universities, university colleges and other degreeawarding institutions recognized in the Partner States Commissions/councils for higher education from the five Partner States Commission for Science and Technology from the five Partner States Business community Membership of universities is voluntary Currently 109 member universities IUCEA is funded by the Partner States on equal basis contributions

7 PARTNERSHIP IUCEA-EABC Cont d Drivers: Blame games between universities and private sector Private sector: Universities working in ivory tower Graduates not suitable for the job market Research results not disclosed: publications &academic promotion Universities No contribution of private sector to research Private sector not opened to internship Graduates Do not qualify for employment due to among others lack of experience that would be acquired through internship among others

8 PARTNERSHIP IUCEA-EABC Cont d IUCEA-EABC entered into partnership in 2011 to forge dialogue and collaboration between private sector and universities Aim: to provide the point of connection between knowledge and human resources produced by higher education institutions and their utilization/employment by the private sector

9 PARTNERSHIP IUCEA-EABC Cont d Focus of the Partnership: Enhancing the linkage between private sector and higher education institutions through engagement with the public sector Promote utilization of research outputs and innovations by the private sector Promote consultative dialogue in curriculum and research development and implementation Jointly organizing dialogue forum and exhibitions under the auspices of the East African Community(EAC)

10 Academia-Public-Private Partnership Organization by IUCEA-EABC, under the auspices of EAC of the first forum and exhibitions in 2012 under the theme: Linking Universities to Industry for building Knowledge based economies and regional Integration in East Africa Objective of the forum: to provide a platform for discussing and strategizing on linking higher education institutions with private sector for promotion of sustainable socioeconomic development and East Africa regional integration Exhibitions: to show innovative ideas developed within universities that could be taken up by end users. 33 Higher education institutions, government institutions, business community and other stakeholders participated

11 Academia-Public-Private Partnership The Forum and Exhibitions 2012resolved among others that the Forum would be held on an annual basis. In 2013, East African Development Bank(EADB) joined the partnership. The Forum and Exhibitions were organized as follows:

12 Academia-Public-Private partnership Evolution of Forum & Exhibitions : Linking University to Industry for Knowledge based Economy and Regional Integration 2012 Higher Education Forum Bridging the Academia and the Private Sector through engagement with Public Sector 2013 Academia-Private Partnership 2014 Academia-Public- Private Partnership Harnessing East Africa s Innovation Potential Mostly Academic No Public Sector Complete Triple Helix

13 Academia-Public-Private Partnership Main Resolutions of the Forums: Forums & Exhibitions to be organized on an annual basis Survey on the university/industry linkages To develop human resource relevant for the job market Re-skilling the current human resource Participation of the private sector in curriculum reform and innovation, and in career guidance in higher education institutions To develop a regional research and innovation capacity building programme Enhance the capacity of academia to generate knowledge and innovation and the private sector to have the capacity to absorb the knowledge and innovation generated Designate some existing R&D institutions as regional research and innovation hubs linked to business and innovation clusters supported both by public and private sector

14 Academia-Public-Private Partnership Implementation of Resolutions Forum & Exhibitions organized annually since 2012 Survey on university/industry carried out in 2013 and is being updated Landscape for research and innovation elaborate in the Partner States Partner States to re-examine their priorities Reinforce STI systems Status of higher education systems and their contributions to human resource development in East Africa carried out Development of a research and innovation capacity building programme for East Africa (under finalization) Private sector and other stakeholders involved in development of guidelines for development/review of curricula, or subjects/disciplines benchmarks

15 Research and Innovation Capacity Building Programme for EAC Recommendation of the 2013 & 2014 Fora Objective: to promote knowledge based economies, socio-economic transformation of East Africa and improved living standards of the East Africans. Programme to be finalized by November 2015 Operationalization of the programme: within research and innovation hubs to be designated from existing higher education and research institutions Research and innovation hubs to be linked to innovation and business clusters for facilitating development of SMEs in East Africa Focus on human resource development Masters & PhD mainly in STEM Re-skilling of existing workforce with new skills and competences IPR, entrepreneurial and soft skill, etc

16 Conclusion Cont d Commitment: Partners: IUCEA-EABC-EADB Partner States Public Sector East African Community Secretariat Private Sector through EABC Academic community in East Africa Development Partners Research and Innovation Capacity building programme under development jointly by IUCEA, EABC & EADB and other partners to implement resolutions of the fora,.

17 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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www.africanbrains.net/edusa Organised by A rare opportunity to engage with ministers and senior officials for education and higher education from the 15 member countries of the Southern African Development