E-learning hub a ‘short-cut’ to agricultural knowledge

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, or RUFORUM, is working jointly with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO, to implement an e-learning hub intended to enhance the capacity of agricultural graduates to meet the changing demands of the agricultural sector.

The hub will enable students, staff and researchers at African universities to access free online resources through a link, thereby providing them with up-to-date quality knowledge on food and nutrition security, social and economic development and sustainable management of natural resources.

Solange Uwituze, manager for partnerships and business management at RUFORUM, said the courses offered by the hub were created by the FAO for a global audience, not just Africa.

They comprise a mixture of multimedia content, targeted learning strategies, dynamic screens, interactive tests, exercises with feedback and illustrative case studies that help to make complex topics accessible to both new and more experienced learners wishing to update their skills in a way that is not covered by the traditional university curriculum.

“Learners and users will also find links to recommended readings and other valuable reference sources,” said Uwituze.

“The hub will definitely enhance the knowledge and hone skills of students, filling in critical gaps that are not often taught in university courses. Rather than wait for the sometimes lengthy processes of curriculum change in order to incorporate these disciplines, this hub provides a short cut,” Uwituze told University World News.

According to Kakoli Ghosh, FAO coordinator of partnerships with academia and research institutions, the launch of the RUFORUM-FAO e-learning hub strengthens the partnership with RUFORUM, and will bring FAO’s knowledge, experience and information on current and emerging issues in food and agriculture to the students.

“These e-learning resources are continuously updated and can surely support the youth in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals,” he told University World News.