Working towards quality horticulture A-TVET graduates through collaboration
Through the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) Latia Resource Center, Bukura Agricultural College and Egerton University are implementing a capacity building project, which started in 2019, on horticulture in professional education and vocational training, to improve the quality and employability of A-TVET graduates in Kenya’s horticulture sector.
Covid-19 is still very much present in the world and all countries are trying to manage this pandemic, so do Kenya and the Netherlands. Social distancing and travel restrictions are a reality turning into a normality. Despite the delay in project activities, creativity led us to still keep on moving to our project goals.
What has happened in the past months?
In all current OKP projects the importance of the connections between Dutch and OKP countries is key, but also the connection between (educational) institutions within a project between organizations in similar projects. In light of this the joining of participants of the OKP horticulture project for Uganda in the Post-harvest training organized for the OKP Kenya horticulture was implemented.
In November Lambertus Vogelzang of Ecopolis and Daniel Scheepens of Inholland organized an online training on Integrated pest management for the horticulture project in Uganda. Participants of Egerton University (EGU), Bukura Agricultural College (BAC) and Latia Resources Center (LRC) joined together with participants of Kyambogo University and Bukalasa Agricultural College. Together they worked on the didactical skills and shared content knowledge. This resulted in interesting activating material.
The pandemic showed the importance of digital workshops and trainings and it most likely speeds up the process of offering courses online and for a form of blended learning. In December Sandra Adriaansens of Maastricht School of Management (MSM) started with the introduction and awareness training on online learning for Bukura Agricultural College. Sandra trained the participants to organizational online learning essentials, online didactics and blended learning didactical tools and worked with them to make this applicable for their educational situation.
Olivia Ansenk of Q-point conducted a gender audit at BAC, EGU and LRC. She assessed gender and inclusiveness in service delivery and within the institutes itself. Building on inclusive and equitable quality training services and a conducive working environment is a process, which implies that it starts from the current state of affairs at the three institutions and from there identifies key concerns & opportunities. As a follow up of this audit report she will organize a workshop for the three Kenyan institutions. Olivia is living and working in Kenya, so as rules and regulation allow she will organize a corona-proof physical workshop for the three Kenyan institutions as a follow up of the gender audit.
Julius Gatune from MSM is leading the Triple Helix project activities. A triple helix platform is a platform, where innovation can take place through collaboration between academic and research, private sector and government and that will improve the economic and social development. Bukura Agricultural College is facilitating the Triple Helix partnerships in the western region. In December they organized the first convening, where Academy research, Industry and Government representatives were present. To work on a proof of concept and various assignments related to the triple helix innovation platform, the participants formed working groups: a knowledge working group, an innovation working group and a policy working group. In each working group representatives of the academic/ research, industry and government are present. The second convening was held in January. More on the outcomes of this convening – an identification of the needs of farmers in the Western region and a proposed innovation- will follow shortly.
About the project
The project focuses on the horticulture sector in Kenya and is based on the fundamental notion that improving the quality and employability of A-TVET graduates should be based on the needs in the labour market. Under the lead of Maastricht School of Management in collaboration with InHolland University of Applied Sciences, Q-Point B.V. and Micas Limited, Bukura Agricultural College, Egerton University and Latia Resource Center are being capacitated to introduce gender sensitive and market driven (blended learning) programs and to perform inclusive value chain management, food safety, production teaching, technology transfer and industry extension.
Orange Knowledge Programme
This project is part of the Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP). For more information click here.
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