SCARDA will address key capacity needs in the core areas of agricultural research management, scientific quality and professional development.  ‘Tracer’ studies will also be conducted to identify key skills gaps in graduates from agricultural Faculties who are employed in a range of public and private organizations.  The findings from the tracer studies will be used to help universities to improve their agricultural and natural resources curricula, course contents and pedagogic approaches.

 

Capacity strengthening activities in the three core areas will include:

• Agricultural research management – an over-arching activity will be to incorporate innovation systems approaches into priority-setting, design, implementation and promotion of research and development programmes.  More specific management priorities will also be addressed, according to the particular needs of the Focal Institutions.  Short courses, assignments, workshops, short-term attachments and mentoring linked to experiential learning will be the main mechanisms used. 
• Quality science – technical expertise in key disciplinary areas will be strengthened through MSc courses, short courses and mentoring.  Activities will also involve support in packaging research outputs in ways that make them more accessible to users.
• Professional development – professional skills will be upgraded through short courses on priority issues such as IPR management, proposal writing and scientific writing for different audiences.  Particular emphasis will be placed on ‘soft’ and ‘systems’ skills such as facilitation, communication, negotiation and conflict management to better equip researchers to engage in multi-stakeholder processes.

Related Pages

SCARDA Home Page

SCARDA Objectives

SCARDA Inception Report