CCARDESA and the University of Stellenbosch Formally Commit to Work Together
The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Secretariat and the University of Stellenbosch (SU) 's Faculty of AgriSciences committed to cooperate by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 22nd October 2021 at the Blue Tree World of Golf Conference Centre in Gaborone. CCARDESA was represented by Dr Baitsi Podisi and Dr Majola Mabuza. Similarly, SU was represented by the Acting Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences, Prof Kennedy Dzama and Dr Albert Strever at a signing ceremony that was attended by local media.
Dr Baitsi Podisi, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Coordinator, on behalf of the CCARDESA Executive Director, shared the institution's regional mandate. He highlighted the CCARDESA thematic areas and ongoing projects as key purveyors through which CCARDESA discharges its mandate. Dr Podisi expressed happiness for this important event, which will go down in the history of CCARDESA as an unforgettable event to seal a partnership that will hopefully withstand the test of time and harness the strengths of the two institutions to bring out good benefits for the SADC region.
Professor Dzama, the Acting Dean of Agrisciences Faculty, also presented on the institutions' operations where he highlighted the institution's vision, which included the formation of purposeful partnerships. Prof. Dzama mentioned that the CCARDESA and University of Stellenbosch partnership were strategic and purposeful. He expressed happiness that this has been a long-time dream which has now been actualized. He stressed that his institution sees partnerships as a critical aspect of organizational growth and development, and they attach so much importance to partnerships. Therefore, they tread the path carefully when selecting partner organizations.
Prof Dzama informed CCARDESA and the media that Stellenbosch University is a Higher Education Institute established in 1918. Furthermore, the University's Faculty of AgriSciences is one of its leading faculties, ranked number one in Africa. The Faculty has several departments, centres, and institutes involved in the key agricultural value chains and industries in South Africa and the rest of the African continent. He mentioned that the University has 11 departments and have over 1600 undergraduates, including over 560 postgraduates and 240 PhD students. Therefore, this potential can be harnessed positively to contribute towards the development of agriculture in the region
He was grateful that they are ranked 50th in position in the world and 1st in Africa, a milestone which he intimates comes with a lot of hard work, commitment and sacrifices. He shared that the University produces over 360 publications a year.
Prof. Dzama, who was visibly happy on this occasion of MOU signing, remained optimistic that the University of Stellenbosch will exploit CCARDESA networks, and CCARDESA will, in turn, do likewise. He reminded CCARDESA that the birth of this partnership was done even before CCARDESA came into being through the Southern Africa Centre for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Training (SACCAR), CCARDESA's predecessor. He reiterated that it has always been CCARDESA's mandate to work with research institutions, including universities and other institutions of learning, because of their common agenda on research.
Speaking at the same event, Dr Albert Strever, the Head of Agrisciences Informatics and innovation department, also shared how his department uses trans-disciplinary initiatives to solve global challenges such as hunger, unemployment, and food insecurity. He also shared how his department uses data, information and knowledge as the joining factors of the institutions. Dr Strever informed the media that informatics is knowledge, enabling and improving agricultural sustainability to provide real-life solutions. He attested to how he has worked with different institutions on technology transfer. Dr Strever indicated that he looks forward to doing the same work with CCARDESA. He also shared the new Launch Lab whose primary goal is to integrate entrepreneurship in agricultural studies so that the students leave the institutions with skills that steer better agricultural yields and financial results from their work. Dr Strever attaches great importance to data ecosystems because data is a bedrock and enabler to informed decision making.
Dr Mabuza, the APPSA coordinator, who was the programme Director mentioned that CCARDESA is proud to be associated with the University of Stellenbosch mainly because of its high standing in the higher education sector. He applauded the University for its admirable ranking in Africa and globally, which is a significant achievement. Dr Mabuza hoped that the marriage union, through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), would bring out good things and was hopeful that the partnership would be a long-term arrangement.
After the presentations and the remarks from the two institutions, Dr Baitsi Podisi and Prof. Kennedy Dzama signed the MoU amidst cheers and excitement from the Media and CCARDESA staff.
The signing of the MOU is an opening to the many opportunities that await the two organizations. CCARDESA is working towards strengthening its ties with various partners in the region because it is one of its mandates to work with regional institutions for better service delivery and better support the coordination of agricultural research and development in the SADC region.
