A REPORT OF THE FIRST RESEARCH DISSEMINATION WORKSHOP ON THE NORHED PROJECT ENTITLED, “REGIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE (CAPSNAC)”

HELD AT THE SENATE BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

ON

31ST MARCH, 2015

A Report of the 1st CAPSNAC Research Dissemination workshop help on 31st March, 2015 at Makerere University Senate Conference Hall

Page 1 of 28

1.0: Introduction

1.1. Brief about CAPSNAC project

Makerere University was highly successful in the NORHED call for proposals culminating into 13 projects where Makerere is participating. One of these projects entitled,” Regional Capacity Building for Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Productivity Under Climate Change” (CAPSNAC)is being led bya team of scientist from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), who are collaborating with the Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), University of Juba (Southern Sudan) and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway).

The main objective of the project is capacity building for Southern Sudan. Makerere University embarked on training a number of staff from University of Juba while also strengthening the capacity of its members of staff in climatic, environmental and agricultural research as well as curriculum development.

The project embarked on a number of activities since its inception meeting in January 2014. The Principal Investigator (PI) and his team therefore organized the first dissemination workshop for this project on the 31st of March, 2015.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

1)Create awareness and disseminate preliminary results and experiences of the five year CAPSNAC project to the key stakeholders in the field of agricultural productivity and natural resource management in view of climate change;

2)Seek participatory stakeholder input into the direction of CAPSNAC project activities for increased agricultural productivity and natural resources management;

3)Empower young research scholars and students to present their research ideas and concepts to a wider audience and;

4)Foster effective and interdisciplinary interactions among researchers, practitioners and policy makers.

The half day workshop was held at the Senate Conference Hall, Makerere University.

1.2: Contents

1.0: Introduction

1.1. Brief about CAPSNAC project

1.3: Program

1.4. Registration of participants

2.0: SESSION 0NE: THE OPENING OF THE WORKSHOP

2:1 Opening prayer

2.2: Welcome remarks - Orientation and background to the CAPSNAC project

2.3: Remarks by the NIDIC Secretariat

2.4: Remarks by the Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Opening of the workshop by the Vice Chancellor Makerere University.

3.0: SESSION TWO ON CAPSNAC Research Theme /Leaders

3: 1: Dynamics of Climate Change in Eastern Africa

3:2: Natural Resources Management in the L. Kyoga Arc, Uganda, processes and implications

3:3: Adaptation to climate change in Lake Kyoga Arc- Uganda

3.4: Discussions

3.6: Group Photograph and health break

3.7: Media interviews with presenters.

4:0 SESSION THREE ON POSTER PRESENTATION

4.1: CAPSNAC PhD students and small grants Awardees research projects

4.2 Comments on students’ presentations

5.0: PUBLIC SESSION, WAYFORWARD AND CLOSURE OF THE WORKSHOP

5:1: Public Discussion

5.2: Planned activities

5:3: Closure of the workshop

Appendix I: Attendance

1.3: Program

Time / Activity / Responsible person
8 :30 – 9:00 am / Participants registration / StanslusOkurut & Rose and Ruthie Mutyaba
SESSION ONE Facilitator: Dr. YazidhiBamutaze
8:30 – 9: 40 am / Opening session
9:00 – 9:15 am / Welcome remarks- Orientation and background to the CAPSNAC project / Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa
9:15 - 9:20 am / Remarks by the NIDIC Secretariat / Prof. HanningtonOryemOriga
9:20 – 9:25am / Remarks by the Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences / Prof. Bernard Bashaasha
9:25- 9:30 am / Remarks by the Ambassador Norwegian Embassy in Uganda / H.E ThorbjørnGaustadsæther
9:30 – 9:40 am / Opening of the workshop by the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University / Prof. John Ddumba- Ssentamu
SESSION TWO THREE Facilitator: Dr. YazidhiBamutaze
9:40 – 10:30 am CAPSNAC Research Themes
9:40- 9:55 am / Dynamics of Climate Change in Eastern Africa / Dr. YazidhiBamutaze
9:55 – 10:10 am / Natural Resources Management in the L. Kyoga Arc, Uganda, processes and implications / Prof. Frank Kansiime
10:10 – 10:25 am / Adaptation to climate change in the Lake Kyoga Arc- Uganda / Assoc. Prof. Herbert Talwana
GROUP PHOTOGRAPH
10:40 – 11:10 AM / Health Break
SESSION THREE Facilitator: Prof. Frank Kansiime
11:10 – 12:00 noon / Poster session CAPSNAC PhD students and small Grants Awardees
SESSION FOUR
12:00 – 13:00 pm / Public session, Way forward and closure of the workshop
12:00 – 12:40 pm / Public discussion / Prof.Samuel Kyamanywa
12:40 – 12:50 pm / Planned activities / Dr. YazidhiBamutaze
12:50 -13:00 pm / Closure of the workshop / Hon. Jacob Wangolo, Chairperson Parliamentary committee on Natural Resources

1.4. Registration of participants

The workshop was attended by representatives from the NIDIC Secretariat, Principal investigators of the different projects, representatives of the international project partners, project researchers and PhD Fellows, students from the participating universities, members of staff and Management from Makerere University, representatives from government and agricultural related institutions (See appendix 1 for the attendance record).

2.0: SESSION 0NE: THE OPENING OF THE WORKSHOP

2:1 Opening prayer

The function started with a prayer led by Dr. YazidhiBamutaze. Dr. Yazidhi who was also the Master of Ceremony thanked the Norwegian government for funding the project, the partners for choosing Makerere for the collaboration and the participants for honoring the invitation. He informed participants that the project holds annual dissemination seminars to share information with stakeholders and thereafter make necessary adjustments.

2.2: Welcome remarks- Orientation and background to the CAPSNAC project

Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa who is the Principal Investigator from Makerere University:

Welcomed participants to the workshop and thanked them for honoring the invitation to attend. Hereminded them that MakerereUniversity has atotal of 13 NORHED funded projects and CAPSNAC was one of them. He expressed happiness that the project implementation had started;

Explained that, CAPSNAC is a collaborative framework among four universities led byMakerere University.

Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa( standing) giving the welcome remarks

Observed that,80% of the population depend on natural resources for their livelihoods and development.However,agricultural productivity and natural resources are increasingly facing threats of variable and changing climates. The Development challenges include natural resource degradation, decreasing agricultural productivity, changing and variable climates, rapid population growth and high poverty levels;

Outlined the developmental priorities of the three target countries (South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia) as including increased agricultural productivity as the vehicle for poverty reduction; sustainable natural resource management for social and economic development and stability. Others are Climate change adaptation and mitigation,increased research capacity and extension outreach and accelerated national development;

Noted that higher institutions of learning are expected to contribute to the generation of solutions to obviate these development challenges through supplying knowledgeable and multi-skilled graduates, providing evidence-based options and solutions to support formulation of interventions and appropriate policies for accelerating national and regional development;

Reported that theregionally focused CAPSNACproject is aimed at increasing the relevance of Southern universities (UJ, MAK, and AAU) in addressing national and regional development challenges in environment, natural resource management and climate change, with special attention given to the University of Juba;

Told participants that the goal of the project is to improve the management of natural resources, agricultural productivity, adaptation to climate change and livelihoods in eastern Africa by enhancing human and institutional capacities of universities to produce dynamic and quality graduates. In the nutshell, CAPSNAC is to enable the partner institutions to provide innovative teaching, learning, research and outreach services that are responsive to the needs of its clientele and thus allow the region to benefit from its young productive population.

Mentioned the five objectives of the CAPSNAC projectas:

  1. To review and strengthen academic programmes in respect to climate change and natural resource management in the three partner institutions in the South;
  2. To strengthen research capacities in climate change and natural resource management to generate knowledge and technologies for development and policy formulation;
  3. To build staff capacities through PhD, Postdoctoral for all South institutions and Master level training specifically for the University of Juba, that will improve its educational and research management capacity;
  4. To strengthen research and teaching infrastructure in order to produce better and responsive graduates and;
  5. To strengthen North-South, and South-South linkages through staff exchange, joint collaborative research and outreach activities.

Also mentioned that some of the project deliverables and commitments to NORAD include:

1)Joint research projects, including joint papers;

2)Teaching and research laboratories equipped;

3)Academic programmes reviewed and strengthened. Staff trained at PhD and postdoctoral levels for institutions;

4)University of Juba staff trained at Masters and Ph.D level (12 M.SC and 10 Ph.D )

5)Competence building courses developed;

6)Text book on Natural Resource Management and Climate Change in Eastern Africa produced;

7)Regional Partnership between institutions in the South strengthened.

Informed participants that the objectives of this workshop were:

  • To introduce the project to the stakeholders;
  • To present the progress to the stakeholders;
  • To seek participatory stakeholder input into the implementation of CAPSNAC;
  • To empower younger research scholars to present their research ideas and;
  • Get guidance from policy formulators.

Gave an insight into the Project Mapping in Five Work Packages (WP) as follows:

  1. WP1: PhD and Master level training
  2. WP2: Joint Regional Research and Outreach
  3. WP3: Infrastructure development
  4. WP4: Competence building
  5. WP5: Project implementation and management

Presented progress per work packages as tabulated below:

Work Packages (WP) / Progress
WP1: PhD and Master level training /
  1. 10 PhD fellowships to academic staff of Southern Partner institutions.
  2. 5 for University of Juba- 4 students have been admitted at Makerere University and one is at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
  3. 3 for Makerere - All 3 have been admitted- (1 at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and 2 at Makerere University.
  4. 2 for Adis Ababa University- 2 have been admitted at Adis Ababa University.
  5. 12 Masters fellowship to academic staff of University of Juba
  6. Masters tenable at Makerere University: 5 students are admitted at Makerere, another cohort is being processed for admission.

WP2: Joint research and outreach /
  1. Joint research carried out by: Seniors, Postdoctoral, PhD & Masters students
  2. Joint research is arranged under three thematic areas:
a)Theme 1: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation:
•Downscaling and mapping of projected changes.
•Uncertainty analysis under different projection scenarios.
•Assessing the agro-ecological sensitivities to climate changes.
•Adaptation and mitigation constraints in diverse socio-ecological systems.
b)Theme 2: Sustainable environmental resources use & management:
•Wetland characterisation; location, geomorphology, fauna and flora and major socio-economic activities including agriculture.
•Assessing potential synergies of wetland-to-catchment area ratio from wetland ecosystem services relevant for flood and water quality management.
c)Theme 3: Strengthening agricultural productivity & food security:
•Conducting baseline surveys to assess the prospects for farm-level adaptation to climatic variability and change related risks in crop production in the target areas.
•Determining the impact of climate change on crop production in target areas using crop yield/phenology simulation models.
•Proofing crop production against climatic variability and change related risks.
WP3: Infrastructure development / •Upgrading laboratories (teaching equipment)
•Research infrastructure (equipment)
•Procurement is in final stages
WP4: Competence building / •Strengthening newly initiated academic programmes and staff competency
–MA Geography.
–Master of Land Use and Regional Development.
–B.Sc. Earth and Geographical Sciences.
–Master of Sciences in Extension and Innovation Studies
–UJ is being supported to review its curriculum
•Mainstreaming Climate Change & Gender issues in natural resource management, environment & agriculture programme.
–Project gender specialist Dr. GorettieNabanoga isoverseeing all activities to ensure gender is main streamed.
–Recruiting students on the project and have ensured equal opportunity for all.
– Incorporating gender issues in the revised curriculum will enhance gender equity/equality in the long-term.
•Short courses development & implementation
•Small grants:
•4 Postdoctoral grants ($30,000)
–Made call for proposals
WP5: Project implementation & management / •Partnership committee and annual meetings held and more planned e.g
–2014: Norway
–2015: Ethiopia
–2016: Norway
–2017: South Sudan
–2018: Uganda
•Dissemination of results
–National workshops to disseminate results
–Dissemination to scientific community (papers, conferences)
•Web-based project communication
•Gender mainstreaming
Project implementation / The project practically started in January

2.3: Remarks by the NIDIC Secretariat

The Chair NORHED Institutional Development and Implementation Committee (NIDIC), Prof. HanningtonOryem-Origasaid theCAPSNAC project is one of the nine (9) projects whose leadership was based at Makerere University;

Reported that the NORHED program is for higher education

and research cooperation aiming at strengthening capacity for higher education and research in low and medium income countries to enable them provide public and private sector with skilled workforce. The main goal of NORHED is increased higher education and research capacities in low and medium income countries as a means to enhance sustainable development and reduce poverty;

Stated that NORHED support is driven by demands in low and medium income countries for capacity building through partnerships by encouraging intra regional/ inter regional training and exchanges;

Noted with appreciation that while Makerere University also needs to strengthen its own capacity in higher education and research, her increased support to Southern Sudan was a noble cause. He expressed happiness that the project brought researchers from four countries together to enhance capacity building and focused on capacity building for southern Sudan the youngest country in Africa;

Told participants that Makerere University should feel happy and proud that they are able to extend a helping hand to people in other countries in the region adding that in a similar way the Royal Government of Norway hadgenerously extended financial support to Low and Medium Income Countries to build their own capacities in higher education and research and reduce poverty;

Reminded participants that, while the first workshop organized by the CAPSNAC project was for its launch, this day, they were happily receiving progress reports. This he said, was very encouraging as it was time to give accountability for the funds received. He added that it was a desire of NIDIC and the funding agency NORAD and Government of Norway to receive feedbacks from all the beneficiaries of research grants extended. He expressed hope that the beneficiaries will feel excited about reporting back their achievements saying, what they were doing would make NIDIC proud just as when Makerere won the highest number of grants;

Encouraged beneficiaries to produce quality work consumerate with the project grants won and to come up with innovations because they are the heights and desires of any researcher. He also encouraged them to publish results ininternational journals as ayard stick of the quality of their research;

Conveyed gratitude to the Royal Government of Norway for her generosity to low and medium income countries and Uganda in particular in promoting capacity building in higher education and research. He wished all participants fruitful and exciting presentations and discussions.

2.4: Remarks by the Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Opening of the workshop by the Vice Chancellor Makerere University.

While opening the workshop on behalf of the Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof. John Muyonga on behalf of Makerere University, thanked participants for honoringthe invitation to attend the workshop and welcomed all to Uganda and Makerere University in particular;

Described the event as a very exciting moment to see and share the results and experiences of the NORHED funded project focused on “Regional Capacity Building for Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Productivity under Climate Change” (CAPSNAC);

Prof. John Muyonga(middle) opening the workshop

Reminded participants that Makerere University was highly successful in the NORHED call for proposals culminating into 13 projects where Makerere is participating. For this particular project, he recognized the team of scientists from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), who are collaborating with Addis Ababa University, University of Juba and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences;

Said the Eastern Africa region has an agricultural led economy with over 80% of its population dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods and development;

Observed that Agricultural productivity and natural resources are increasingly facing threats of variable and changing climates, natural resource degradation, decreasing agricultural productivity, increasing human population and poverty levels that are likely to negatively impact social and economic development;

Recognized that the three target countries (South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia) in the CAPSNAC NORAD supported project have much in common in terms of development priorities and the need for an education system focused on improving agriculture and sustainable natural resource use, as part of the special pillars that can deliver a better Africa;

Noted that to rebuild the calibre of Universities needed in Africa, universities have to work together and capitalise on their strengths to ensure percolation of mutual benefits. For this reason, he expressed happiness that Makerere University was not only taking lead in this CAPSNAC project but also a key partner in other NORHED funded projects. He thanked the international collaborators for choosing Makerere as the University of Choice for collaborative engagements;