Alice Turinawe

Innovation Coach:

Alice turinawe (002) Lecturer , Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics

Project

Benchmarking approaches for improved delivery of hands on practical experiences for business management courses at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University

Problem

University graduates in Uganda and beyond still face the problem of inadequate practical & soft skills, and hence, have limited preparation for the world outside their academic lives. Makerere University, in particular, is faced with increasing student numbers and these come with challenges for providing practical, relevant and forward-looking teaching. One main hurdle is the lack of sufficient slots for internships in organizations in the private and public sector where they can practice and apply the theory studied in class.

Innovation

Dr. Turinawe’s project aims to improve technical and soft skills development for enhanced jobs and wealth creation in agricultural value chains through the provision of integrated theory- and practice-based teaching methods for improved competencies. Students will be exposed to the business world via the private and public sector throughout the course of their training at the university, as opposed to a one-time exposure in the university level scheduled internship programs. Practical skills including how to register a business, select financing options, obtain insurance will be taught and the University will develop closer relationships with potential employers, furthering its understanding of the most marketable skills and experience needed today.