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The first international student for MAINSTREAM Project has today (10/02/2025) arrived at Mountains of the Moon University Main Campus.
Mr.Venant Miyonkuru a Masters Student in Agro- Business was received by the Dean of Students and Academic Registrar’s Office.

On 4^th December 2024, the Mobility for Agriculture International Networks Supporting Thematic Resilience and Enhancing Adaptation and Mitigation Project (MAINSTREAM) sat to select the student beneficiaries for the project.

According to Prof. Violate Kisaakye the Project coordinator, Target 1 beneficiaries for the project are Masters and PhD Students from consortium Institutions, Target 2 are Masters and PhD students from any other institution in Africa, Target 3 will be trainees in consortium institutions for industrial placements and lastly, Target 4 will be staff in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for Members of the consortium.

The study programs for the Project include; Agriculture and Food Management, Agribusiness, Agricultural Management, Agricultural Economics and Natural Resources Management.

The six HEIs from the different African Regions will focus on project interventions and mobilities.

It should be noted that MAINSTREAM Project brings together six Higher Institutions from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Togo and Senegal along with one from Germany with specific objectives to deepen consortium connections and Joint Thematic Operations in the sector of Agriculture and Farm Management supporting inclusive access of peer to peer connections across Africa, increasing the capacity of partner institutions to effectively host and receive International students and to challenge the different Higher Education systems to instill harmonization in collaborative activities.

Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) has today hosted the Mobility for Agriculture International Networks Supporting Thematic Resilience and enhancing Adaption and   Mitigation (MAINSTREAM) Project Meeting at Lake Saaka Campus.

MAINSTREAM brings together six Higher Institutions from Uganda, Kenya, Ethopia,South Africa, Togo and Senegal along with one from Germany with specific  objectives to deepen consortium connections and joint Thematic operations in the sector of Agriculture and Farm  management, supporting inclusive access of peer to peer connections across Africa, increasing the capacity of partner institutions to effectively host and receive international students and to challenge the different higher education systems to instill harmonization in collaborative activities.

 According to Prof. Violate Kisaakye the Coordinator for the MAINSTREAM Project, the project is a great opportunity for MMU to intercept the academia with the farmers.

She elaborated that the Project will avail opportunities for the Agriculture Students to be practical while engaging directly with the communities.

According to Prof. John M. Kasenene the DVC Academic Affairs (AA) who also represented the Vice Chancellor during the engagement, the Project provides pathways for institutional modernization and international reforms, leveraging the consortia existing partnership on Agriculture Education and Skills with other public and private organizations.

“This Project will harness our vision of providing innovative and transformative Education, research and community Engagement for social economic transformation and we are grateful to our partners,” he remarked.

Dr.  Dragan Brkovic one of the Partners from Weihestephan Triesdore University of Applied Sciences, MAINSTREAM Project offers mobility scholarships to African scholars with the goal to enhance education, skills development and climate change resilience in Agricultural knowledge systems across Africa.

He added that MAINSTREAM targets both tertiary Agricultural education and collaboration with policy and industry leaders to modernize and internationalize agricultural programs.

The Intra- Africa Academic Mobility scheme is EU’s programme to encourage international learning mobility across the African continent to support learning opportunities and exchanges and ultimately promote Africa as an attractive study destination.

The recent addition of a state-of-the-art agricultural drone at the Paradys Experimental Farm marks a significant advancement in equipping students from the University of the Free State (UFS) with the modern skills required to thrive in the agriculture industry.

Prof Johan van Niekerk, vice-dean of agriculture, emphasised the transformative potential of the DJI Agras T40 drone, generously donated by Rectron, a leading provider of agricultural technology.

Innovation instrumental in agriculture
“Integrating cutting-edge tools into our curriculum allows us to provide students with invaluable hands-on experience in using drones for agricultural purposes,” he said.

The unveiling ceremony took place at the Paradys Experimental Farm, located just outside Bloemfontein on the road to Reddersburg.

According to Van Niekerk, its efficiency enables it to cover up to 21.3 hectares per hour, significantly enhancing productivity. Moreover, it supports a variety of missions including surveying, mapping, spraying, and spreading, ensuring precision in agricultural operations.

Meanwhile, Prof Paul Oberholster, dean of the faculty of natural and agricultural sciences, highlights the importance of aligning educational programmes with industry needs.

“Our goal is to produce graduates who are not only ready for the workplace but are also trained in the latest agricultural technologies. Collaborations with industry partners bring these technologies to the Paradys Experimental Farm, ensuring our students are highly employable.

“South African agriculture must adapt to the changing environment and play a pivotal role in global food and nutrition security,” he said.

Technology and education
The innovation manager of the Paradys Experimental Farm, Dr Christopher Rothmann, said the integration of drone technology in agriculture represents a significant leap in managing and monitoring farming operations.

“Drones transform traditional farming into a more precise, efficient, and sustainable practice. By leveraging advanced drone capabilities, farmers can achieve better resource management, higher productivity, and a reduced environmental footprint, ultimately leading to more resilient and profitable agricultural operations.

“Additionally, drones can perform spot spraying treatments of pesticides and fertilisers, reducing agricultural runoff and chemical drift, which benefits nearby crops and the soil,” he said.

Rothmann further emphasised the streamlined data collection processes and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and professional development that drones facilitate.

“Using drones fosters real-world applications, community engagement, sustainability, and innovation, aligning with the university’s goals of excellence, relevance, and societal impact in agriculture,” he said.

Rothmann highlighted the critical role of industry partnerships in advancing education and ensuring the relevance of agricultural programmes at the University of Free State.

Source: FoodForMsanzi

Prof Rugumayo was installed on Friday by Vice President Rtd Major Jessica Alupo at the University’s 15th graduation ceremony held at the University Main Campus in Saaka, Fort Portal City.

In 2020, President Museveni appointed Rugumayo as chancellor to serve for a four-year term of office.  His appointment followed the recommendation of the University council, based on section 30(1) of the Universities and Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001 (as amended).

His appointment came two months after the university was taken over by the government as a public institution.

Being one of the co-founders of the institution in 2005, Professor Rugumayo had served in a similar capacity before the institution was taken over by the Government as a public university.

Rugumayo attended Galihuma Primary School in Kyenjojo and Nyakasura School, before being admitted to Makerere University in the mid-1950s.

In 1958, he was given a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.

Professor Rugumayo holds a Diploma in Education from Chester College in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Ecology from the University of London.

After the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) and the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF) captured power, Rugumayo became the chairman of the National Consultative Council (NCC), the parliament of the time.

Rugumayo served as Minister of Education in 1971, Chairman of the National Consultative Council in 1979, Uganda’s first Ambassador to South Africa in 1996, Minister of Internal Affairs in 1999, and Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry in 2000.

Source: The Independent