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Responsiveness of agricultural training curricula in African universities to labour market needs: the case of Gulu University in Uganda

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  • Walter, Odongo
  • Stephen, Wamala Kalule
  • Enos, Katya Kule
  • Elly, Ndyomugyenyi
  • Duncan, Ongeng

Abstract

Agricultural universities in Africa have a core responsibility to develop and implement relevant curricula to produce well trained human resource to guide stakeholders in production, value addition and marketing to meet the expected quantity and quality requirements of modern agri-food supply chain systems. This paper presents innovations in agricultural training curricula at Gulu University in Uganda designed to produce the breed of graduates, blending in character, the attitudes, hands-on practical skills and knowledge to exploit and succeed in the commonly perceived “non- attractive” labour market of the agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key ingredient in curricula orientation, as a critical input in modelling that type of graduate, is the integration of community engagement and agri-enterprise development in student training. Making use of the Bachelor of Agriculture (BAG) degree programme, the pioneer programme that kick-started the new training orientation, we conducted a tracer study to document employment characteristics, transition to employment and the level of satisfaction with training approach among the first five graduate cohorts (2009-2013) in 2014. Results showed that 84 % of the graduates were employed within the first six months after graduation. The employment rate surpassed 90 % after one year. About 80% of the graduates were employed in rural and semi-urban localities. Employment was in diverse sectors including government extension advisory services, financial institutions, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, agricultural research and graduate-own agro-based enterprise. Only 1.7 % of the graduates had established businesses. Most graduates were satisfied with job placement while over 90 % of the employers were contented with competencies exhibited by the graduates. This paper illustrates that integrating community engagement and enterprise development in student training contributes greatly to building competencies of agricultural graduates for the labour market.

Suggested Citation

  • Walter, Odongo & Stephen, Wamala Kalule & Enos, Katya Kule & Elly, Ndyomugyenyi & Duncan, Ongeng, 2017. "Responsiveness of agricultural training curricula in African universities to labour market needs: the case of Gulu University in Uganda," African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), AFrican Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), vol. 2(01), March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afjrde:263301
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.263301
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deon Filmer & Louise Fox, 2014. "Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa [L’emploi des jeunes en Afrique subsaharienne - Rapport complet]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 16608.
    2. K. Pauw & M. Oosthuizen & C. Van Der Westhuizen, 2008. "Graduate Unemployment In The Face Of Skills Shortages: A Labour Market Paradox1," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 76(1), pages 45-57, March.
    3. Mugisha, Johnny & Nkwasibwe, Anthony, 2014. "Tracer Study of Agricultural Graduates in Uganda," Food Security Collaborative Working Papers 183862, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
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