Time	Session	Key Content and Focus
08:30–09:00	Arrival and Registration
09:00–09:20	Welcome and Introductions	Opening remarks by GFAiR and RUFORUM. Overview of the Network and expected workshop outputs.
09:20–10:20	Keynote Session 1	Status on NUS Five 10-minute presentations on global and regional perspectives on NUS: -Carlo Rega, EC Joint Research Centre - Leveraging Evidence and Policy to Advance NUS Integration in Food Systems: Insights from the EU Knowledge Centre -Prof. Agnes W. Mwang’ombe, UoN - Post harvest handling challenges and processing technologies of NUS - Prof. Pravat Kumar Roul, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), India. NUS in agriculture curriculum towards food and nutritional security -Dr. Sonia Peter, Awareness and interest in NUS - BERP, Barbados - Reclaiming Biocultural Knowledge through Education and Citizen Engagement for NUS Conservation -Prof. Christopher Chiedozie Eze, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Nigeria -Reimagining Agribusiness Education: Leveraging Neglected and Underutilised Species for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa
10:20–10:30	Plenary Reflections	Initial reactions from participants on keynote perspectives.
10:30–11:00	Group picture and health break
11:00–12:30	Session 1: Where NUS Feature in Teaching	Peer Learning on NUS. Group discussion on practices, gaps, and opportunities. Crop Clusters/Stations i. Cereals ii. Legumes iii. Roots and tubers iv. Leafy vegetables v. medicinal plants vi. Fruits (For each group, do the SWOT analysis on NUS).

12:30–13:30	Lunch break
13:30–15:00	Co-Design Lab 1: NUS in Teaching & Curricula	Breakouts by Crop clusters and for each of the clusters, What kind of competencies are required of the graduates? What are the suggested topics based on the following thematic areas? Sustainable Production Post-harvest handling Value Addition/Processing & Agribusiness Nutrition & Health ● Sub topics ● Objectives ● Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) ● Mode of delivery ● Mode of assessment
15:00–15:30	Health Break
15:30–16:30	Plenary 2: Synthesis of Day 1 and adjourning.	Presentation of draft curriculum for each category of NUS
18:00–21:00	NUS Cuisine Dinner - Luo Edition	Hosted dinner and exhibition featuring traditional neglected and underutilised foods from Kenya’s Luo community. Venue: Loresho, Nairobi Departure from hotel: 18:00

Day 2 - Connecting NUS learning with innovation ecosystems

Time	Session	Key Content and Focus
08:30–09:00	Arrival and Informal Networking
09:00–09:10	Recap and Framing for Day 2	Review of Day 1 outcomes. Framing Day 2 to connect to innovation ecosystems. Input from CGIAR and civil society.
9:10- 10:10		Continuation of curricula drafting
10:10 – 11:30		Presentation of Draft curricula and Feedback

11:30 -11:50	Health Break
11:50 –12:20	Experiences from Curriculum Innovators	Presentation on teaching innovations, competencies, pedagogy, and assessment approaches. (Max 30 minutes)
12:20–13:00	Plenary 3: NUS Innovation Ecosystems	Fireside chat with: - Chinhoyi University of Technology Accelerator - Egerton University Business Innovation Centre - Nakuru Tubers - Nelia Foods CGIAR, MSMEs, and education partners share innovations and incubation experiences.
13:00 -14:00	Lunch
14:00–15:00	Action Planning for the different NUS Clusters	NUS Cluster formation and action planning
15:00–15:30	Health Break
15:30–16:30	Plenary 4: 12-Month Workplan & Commitments	Present Action Plans
16:30–17:00	Closing Session	Review of agreed actions. Focal point designations. Closing remarks.

3.Participant Profiles

To better reflect the diversity of actors supporting NUS transformation, participants are first grouped by Partner Type, i.e Academic Institutions, CGIAR centres, civil society organizations, MSMEs, and independent experts. Within each group, participants are further sub-grouped by their primary Thematic Cluster, based on their expertise and contributions to the NUS value chain.

3.1 Academic Institutions (Universities, Technical Universities, and Colleges)

Participants affiliated with formal higher education institutions.

Dr Oral O. Daley

Crop Scientist and Lecturer, Department of Food Production, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

Country and partner type - Trinidad and Tobago, university

NUS and thematic focus

Tropical root and tree crops, including breadfruit, sweet potato, hill rice, topi tambo, cassava and yam
Links genetic diversity, propagation and sustainable production with value chain development, entrepreneurship and community engagement in the Caribbean.

Short bio
Dr Daley works at the interface of NUS research, curriculum innovation and regional development. He focuses on genetic diversity and propagation of tropical root and tree crops and on translating this knowledge into teaching, value chain development and entrepreneurship support. He designs experiential learning activities that connect students with farmers, communities and agri food enterprises, using NUS as entry points for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. His experience is relevant for co designing NUS teaching modules and pilots on production and value addition.

Prof Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo

Professor of Conservation Genetics, Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany, University of Abomey Calavi, Benin

Country and partner type - Benin, university

NUS and thematic focus
-African baobab, orphan crops, non timber forest products, and tree and crop species used in agroforestry systems.

-Connects biodiversity conservation, conservation genetics and agroforestry with community management, food and nutrition security, and climate resilient production systems.

Short bio
Professor Assogbadjo is an agronomist and forester and Full Professor at the University of Abomey Calavi in Benin. He works on biodiversity conservation, agroforestry and non timber forest products, with a strong focus on orphan crops and their role in food security and climate resilience. His contributions on African baobab and other tree and crop species link genetic diversity, ecology and economic use. He has extensive experience supervising BSc, MSc and PhD students and collaborating with partners in Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia, which he brings into teaching and curriculum innovation.

Dr Kolawolé Valère Salako

Senior Lecturer in Forestry and Biometry, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey Calavi, Benin

Country and partner type - Benin, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Neglected and underutilized tree species in tropical agroforestry systems, including parklands, homegardens and peri urban agroforestry.
- Connects tree diversity, domestication and carbon sequestration with climate resilient production systems, sustainable rural livelihoods and student led agri entrepreneurship.

Short bio
Dr Salako is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Forestry and Biometry at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey Calavi, where he serves as scientific coordinator of the Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimations. His work covers forest estimations, conservation, agroforestry, tree domestication and adaptation, with a strong interest in neglected and underutilized tree species in both natural and human modified ecosystems. He mentors undergraduate and postgraduate students on agroforestry, tree domestication and agri entrepreneurship projects, and has co authored more than 150 scientific outputs and received several national and international awards.

Dr. Flora Josiane Chadare

Lecturer in Food Science and Nutrition and Dean, School of Science and Techniques for Processing and Preservation of Agricultural Products, National University of Agriculture (UNA), Benin

Country and partner type - Benin, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Neglected and underutilized species and endogenous non timber forest products used as local food resources for food and nutrition security.
- Links food product development, fortification, food safety and environmentally friendly processing with NUS based diets and resilient food systems, with a strong focus on women, startups and community organisations.

Short bio
Dr. Chadare is Full Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at UNA in Benin and Dean of the School of Science and Techniques for Processing and Preservation of Agricultural Products. Trained at Wageningen University, she works on food security, product development, food fortification, food safety and valorisation of local food resources, especially neglected and underutilized species and non timber forest products. She has supervised many PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s students, published widely and contributed to national and international programmes with organisations such as GAIN and WFP, with strong attention to gender and inclusion.

Ms Milcah Mlazamirwa Kalinga

Research Assistant, African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity (ACENUB), Mzuzu University, Malawi

Country and partner type - Malawi, university / research centre

NUS and thematic focus
-Focus on Pupwe (Zanthoxylum chalybeum) and other neglected and underutilized species with potential for value addition and MSME development.
- Links NUS research with product ideas, processing options, business models and entrepreneurship training for students, MSMEs and community groups in Malawi.

Short bio
Ms Kalinga is a Research Assistant at ACENUB, Mzuzu University, where she works on the innovation and enterprise potential of neglected and underutilized species. She has led and supported work on Pupwe, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, exploring its uses, processing, and business opportunities with local communities and small enterprises. At ACENUB she contributes to research, data collection, training and outreach that connect students and community groups to NUS based enterprise opportunities. Her interests include entrepreneurship training, community engagement and building NUS value chains that strengthen incomes and resilience.

Dr Abdelhak Kabbabi

Senior agriculture and fertilizer industry professional; PhD student, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco

Country and partner type - Morocco, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Focus on einkorn cereal (Petit Epeautre) and other forgotten or underutilized healthy cereals.
-Links crop nutrition, fertilizer use, healthy crop production and value chain development, with a focus on bringing underutilized cereals into teaching, research and commercial value chains through university, farmer and private sector collaboration.

Short bio
Dr Kabbabi is a senior professional in agriculture and the fertilizer industry with a strong interest in neglected and underutilized crops. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from Institut National Polytechnique in France, a MSc in Crop Nutrition from UM6P in Morocco, and a MSc in Geoeconomy and Geopolitics in Africa from HEC Paris, and is currently a PhD student at UM6P. Over three decades he has worked across research and development, environment, water, policy, sales and development. He is active in agronomy and health related social programmes that promote healthy crops, including einkorn, and the transfer of scientific knowledge to farmers and communities.

Prof John H. Muyonga

Professor of Food Science and Technology, Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Makerere University, Uganda

Country and partner type - Uganda, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Traditional and neglected foods including jackfruit, grain amaranth, pumpkins, Solanum species, indigenous vegetables, forest foods and yam bean.
-Connects food processing, postharvest technologies and nutrition with curriculum innovation, incubation, and enterprise development based on traditional and neglected foods.

Short bio
Prof Muyonga is Professor of Food Science and Technology at Makerere University with over 25 years of experience in teaching, research and academic leadership. His work brings together food processing, nutrition, postharvest technologies and development focused research on traditional and neglected foods such as jackfruit, grain amaranth, pumpkins, Solanum species, indigenous vegetables and forest foods. He has supervised many graduate students and led major research grants on traditional foods and nutrition improvement. He led the establishment of the Food Technology and Business Incubation Centre at Makerere University, which supports small and medium enterprises to develop and commercialise products from traditional African foods.

Prof Christopher Chiedozie Eze

Professor of Agribusiness and Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Nigeria

Country and partner type - Nigeria, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Neglected and underutilized crops in Nigeria and across Africa, including roots, tubers, cereals, legumes, leafy vegetables, tree crops and wild edible species.
-Links agribusiness education, curriculum reform and youth enterprise with NUS based value chains, including work on new courses and technologies such as hybrid solar dryers for NUS processing.

Short bio
Prof Eze is Professor of Agribusiness and Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo. He has written on agribusiness, agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship and is known for his work on education reform and youth focused enterprise development. At UAES he has championed curriculum changes that bring Neglected and Underutilized Species into teaching and research, including an MSc course on neglected and endangered species conservation. His leadership connects universities, governments, farmers and private sector partners around agribusiness models that link biodiversity, markets and skills development for young people.

Prof Agnes W. Mwang’ombe

Professor of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection and Coordinator, Seed Enterprise Management Institute (SEMIs), University of Nairobi, Kenya

Country and partner type - Kenya, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Integration of neglected and underutilized species into agricultural curricula, with a focus on seed systems, disease free planting material, climate resilient varieties and value chain oriented training.
- Connecting plant health, seed enterprise development and professional training, including work with SEMIs and seed sector partners across Sub Saharan Africa.

Short bio
Prof Mwang’ombe is Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Nairobi and former Principal of the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. She founded and coordinates the Seed Enterprise Management Institute, which has trained more than 1,500 seed sector professionals from over 20 African countries. Her experience includes cassava value chain hubs, tissue culture seed laboratories and review of seed technology courses with partners such as AGRA, MasterCard Foundation and One Acre Fund. She links curriculum reform, seed systems and plant health to support resilient agri food systems.

Dr Juliana Jepkemoi Cheboi

Lecturer and researcher in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Country and partner type - Kenya, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Drought resilient legumes and cereals such as pigeonpea, sorghum, millet and indigenous vegetables.
-Links plant breeding, climate resilient varieties and systems based teaching with food system resilience, agribusiness and smallholder outreach.

Short bio
Dr Cheboi is a lecturer and researcher in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at the University of Nairobi. She teaches and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students in plant breeding and related agricultural subjects. Her work focuses on breeding and evaluation of drought resilient crops with strong potential for improved nutrition and food security in Sub Saharan Africa. She participates in programmes such as FAR LeaF II, VACS, the Food Systems Research Network for Africa and the African Plant Breeding Academy. Through these platforms she strengthens links between research, curriculum change and farmer focused innovation.

Prof Peter Baguma

Professor of Psychology, School of Psychology, Makerere University, Uganda

Country and partner type - Uganda, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Indigenous foods, food crops and food trees in Uganda, and how people perceive and value them.
-Links behavioural science, attitudes and social norms with efforts to increase demand for indigenous crops among youth and urban consumers and to integrate these foods into teaching and food security strategies.

Short bio
Prof Baguma is a psychologist with more than four decades of teaching and research experience at Makerere University, where he has also served as Dean of the School of Psychology. His work covers health psychology, psychosocial intervention, organisational psychology and attitudes toward indigenous foods. He has supervised large numbers of postgraduate students, led multidisciplinary research and consultancy assignments, and serves as an external examiner and journal reviewer across Africa and beyond. As a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences, he brings strong experience in linking behavioural insights with public policy and development practice.

Prof Henriëtte (Riette) de Kock

Professor, Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Country and partner type - South Africa, university

NUS and thematic focus
African indigenous crops and plant based foods used for product development.
Focus on sensory properties, consumer liking and market acceptance of NUS based products for urban and rural consumers, with attention to nutrition and local value chains.

Short bio
Prof de Kock is a food scientist and sensory researcher in the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences at the University of Pretoria. Her work focuses on sensory properties and consumer responses to foods that support better nutrition and wellbeing in sub Saharan Africa, including NUS based products. She leads and contributes to African and international sensory networks, including ANSWER. Experience includes collaboration with industry and public agencies on product development where African biodiversity, health and consumer appeal are central.

Prof Mady Cisse

Full Professor of Food Processing and Science, High Polytechnic School, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), Senegal

Country and partner type - Senegal, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Local African food resources with high nutritional potential, including neglected and underutilized crops and ingredients used in African diets.
-Focus on food processing, nutrition, food safety and consumer responses to NUS based and other local African foods, and how these support food and nutrition security.

Short bio
Dr Cisse is a Full Professor of Food Processing and Science at the High Polytechnic School of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar. His work covers food systems, food security and safety, and improving nutritional status through wider use of local African products, supported by sensory and consumer tests. He serves as President of the African Nutrition Society, heads the continuing education laboratory for the food industry at ESP, and is an expert to the National Codex Alimentarius Committee of Senegal. He has supervised many graduate students and authored over 100 publications on local foods, nutrition and African food systems.

Prof Pravat Kumar Roul

Vice Chancellor, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, India

Country and partner type - India, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Agricultural higher education that supports agrifood system transformation through teaching, research, extension, and agri enterprise development in Odisha and Eastern India.
-Focus on local crops and agri enterprises for smallholder and tribal farmers, and how universities link curriculum, outreach, and policy to more resilient and inclusive food systems.

Short bio
Prof Roul is Vice Chancellor of OUAT and an agronomist with long experience in teaching, research, extension, and university leadership. He has held roles including Associate Director of Research, Director Agro polytechnic, Director Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Dean Extension Education, Dean College of Agriculture, and Dean College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry. From 2020 he served as Managing Director of APICOL, where he promoted agri entrepreneurship and food processing in Odisha. He has more than 95 peer reviewed publications, over 25 books and book chapters, and has led several nationally and internationally funded research projects.

Prof Kebede Woldetsadik

Professor of Horticulture, Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Country and partner type - Ethiopia, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Horticultural neglected and underutilized species for nutrition, climate adaptation and cultural preservation in eastern Ethiopia.
-Links improved fruit and vegetable varieties, NUS based horticulture, student research and community engagement in smallholder farming systems.

Short bio
Prof Woldetsadik is Professor of Horticulture at Haramaya University. He has served the university since 1982 in roles such as horticulture section head, research field and farm manager, coordinator of fruit and vegetable research programmes, dean of the Faculty of Continuing and Distance Education and Vice President for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development. He has taught courses at PhD, MSc and undergraduate level and supervised more than 150 postgraduate students. His publication record includes around 140 peer reviewed articles. His recent work increasingly focuses on NUS for nutrition, climate resilience and local food traditions in eastern Ethiopia.

Prof Edmore Gasura

Professor of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Agriculture Environment and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe

Country and partner type - Zimbabwe, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Traditional grains and legumes, including sorghum, finger millet, other millets, tepary beans, cowpea and indigenous vegetables
- Links breeding, seed systems, agronomy, mechanisation, curriculum development and value chain innovation, with a strong focus on youth and women seed entrepreneurs

Short bio
Prof Gasura is Professor of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Agriculture Environment and Food Systems at the University of Zimbabwe. He leads work on traditional grains from genetic diversity and breeding through to seed systems, agronomy and product development. As programme leader for Future Grains for Africa and lead breeder for VN Seeds Pvt Ltd, he has developed and released varieties such as sorghum VNS401, finger millet VNF401 and maize VN501. He has supervised many MSc and PhD students and grown a portfolio of projects funded by RUFORUM, the EU, USAID, Mastercard Foundation and other partners that link traditional crops with nutrition, markets and rural enterprise.

Professor Chrispen Murungweni

Executive Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology

Country and partner type - Zimbabwe, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Indigenous plants and browse species used for medicinal feeds and ethnoveterinary products
- Links livestock value chains, climate resilience, indigenous forages, student enterprises and agro industrialisation through the CUT Agro industrial Park and related projects

Short bio
Prof Murungweni is Executive Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Chinhoyi University of Technology in Zimbabwe. An animal scientist by training, he holds a PhD from Wageningen University on vulnerability and resilience in agricultural systems in south eastern Zimbabwe and degrees in agriculture from the University of Zimbabwe. He has served as Acting Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Enterprise Development and Industrialisation, Deputy Dean and Director of Livestock Research. He led the vision and roll out of the CUT Agro industrial Park, including the Dairy Production and Milk Value Addition Centre of Excellence, medicinal feed factory and industrial pen fattening facilities. His work links research, rural innovation and industrialisation with a focus on climate resilience, livestock health and value chains.

Dr Mary M. Waiganjo

Agricultural education specialist, Egerton University

Country and partner type - Kenya, university

NUS and thematic focus
Integration of neglected and underutilized species into competency based agriculture curricula from Grades 4-12 and university level.
Focus on teaching methods, assessment and school based practice that use NUS as concrete learning contexts.

Short bio
Dr Waiganjo is an agricultural education expert with 32 years of teaching experience across secondary schools and higher education in Kenya. She holds a doctorate in Agricultural Education and has served for 12 years at Egerton University after 20 years in secondary education. She helped develop the national Competency Based Education agriculture curriculum for Grades 4–12 and supports review of university programmes. As part of Egerton’s pedagogical training team she trains staff on CBE aligned teaching and supervises school attachments that link classroom learning with practice.

Dr. Gloria Ladjeh Essilfie

Food Scientist and Senior Lecturer, Department of Crop Science and Postharvest Innovation Hub, University of Ghana

Country and partner type - Ghana, university

NUS and thematic focus
-Neglected and underutilised vegetables and African indigenous fruits and vegetables.
-Focus on postharvest management, loss reduction, value addition and agro processing, with hands on youth training through the Postharvest Innovation Hub.

Short bio
Prof Essilfie is a Food Scientist and Postharvest Technology Specialist with more than 20 years of experience in research, development and academia. She teaches at the University of Ghana and leads work on postharvest technology, food safety and quality assurance. Her work targets inefficiencies and losses along horticultural value chains in Ghana and the region. She founded the Postharvest Innovation Hub, which supports youth led value addition and agro processing. She has worked with organisations such as FARA, FAO, CTA, AGRA and the Government of Ghana, and holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Georgia.

Dr Silke Maria Stöber

Senior Scientist and Team Lead, Centre for Rural Development (SLE), Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, AfriNutriForest project

Country and partner type - Germany, research network and university centre

NUS and thematic focus
-Often overlooked and forgotten food species, indigenous and traditional vegetables, climate resilient crops such as sorghum and rice in stress environments, and trees and agroforestry species linked to nutrition and resilience.
-Focus on co research models that connect farmers, students and scientists to generate practical knowledge on NUS and integrate it into teaching, field practice and policy discussions.

Short bio
Dr Stöber is an agricultural economist and senior scientist at the Centre for Rural Development, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, where she leads the research team. Her work focuses on climate change adaptation, agroecology and food security, with a strong emphasis on co research with smallholder farmers and rural women. She designs and implements participatory, solution oriented research using mixed methods, and has led or co led multi country projects across Africa and Asia with partners such as GIZ, IFAD, WFP, Helvetas and CARE. She teaches and supervises postgraduate students at SLE, with current work including AfriNutriForest and related projects on climate resilient food systems.

Prof Nelson K. Olang’o Ojijo

Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Country and partner type - Kenya, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Indigenous African fruits such as Vitex payos, African leafy vegetables, and other forgotten and underutilized food crops and value chains.
- Uses evidence on nutritional composition, value addition and processing of indigenous African foods to link forgotten foods with curriculum innovation, entrepreneurship and systems based teaching in African universities.

Short bio
Prof Ojijo is an Associate Professor in Food Science and Technology at JKUAT with more than three decades of experience in agricultural research, education and development. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Science (Food Process Engineering) from the University of Tsukuba, Japan. His work focuses on value addition, postharvest processing and nutrition sensitive agriculture, including research on indigenous African foods such as Vitex payos and African leafy vegetables. He is a co author of the FAO publications “Compendium of forgotten foods in Africa” and “Integrating Africa’s forgotten foods for better nutrition” and works at the interface of research, teaching and innovation.

Dr Gurmeet Singh

The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU)

Country and partner type - India, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Forgotten foods, wild edibles, coarse grains, millets and pulses used as food based solutions for anemia, protein sufficiency, brain health, metabolic health and gut health.
- Connects local biodiversity and traditional knowledge with food innovation, teaching and entrepreneurship through the Food Futures programme at TDU.

Short bio
Dr Singh works with the Food Futures programme at TDU on food first solutions for individual, community and planetary health. His work starts from local ecosystem resources and traditional knowledge and develops them into food innovations using systems, design and wellness thinking. He helps create functional food concepts based on forgotten foods, wild edibles, coarse grains, millets and pulses that support nutrition and metabolic health. At TDU he links research, outreach and translation with education programmes for schools, colleges, communities, rural health workers and professionals, connecting curriculum, practice based training and entrepreneurship pathways.

Dr Francis Padi Lamptey

Lecturer in Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Cape Coast Technical University

Country and partner type - Ghana, university

NUS and thematic focus
- Underutilized crops such as sweet potato, tamarind, turkey berry, sorghum, soybean, sesame, bambara groundnut and other local species in Ghana.
- Uses postharvest technology and product development to create fortified flours, breakfast mixes and nutrient dense products linked to rural enterprises and community nutrition.

Short bio
Dr Lamptey focuses on food science and postharvest technology with emphasis on underutilized crops in Ghana. His work covers use and fortification of sweet potato, tamarind, turkey berry, sorghum, soybean, sesame and bambara groundnut to support food and nutrition security. He has led projects developing fortified flours and breakfast products aimed at rural households, especially women and youth. Through teaching and mentoring at Cape Coast Technical University he links classroom learning with practical value addition, small scale processing and local enterprise, giving students experience in product formulation, quality improvement and market oriented innovation.

Mr. Fahad Juma

Business Development Specialist, Egerton University Business Incubation Centre

Country and partner type - Kenya, university

NUS and thematic focus

• Leads enterprise development initiatives involving underutilized species, including water hyacinth
• Designs and facilitates student-industry innovation programmes focused on agripreneurship

Short bio
Mr. Fahad Juma is a business development and agrifood systems practitioner with over five years of experience supporting youth livelihoods, enterprise development, and curriculum transformation in higher education. He has contributed to multiple Erasmus+ CBHE initiatives focused on quality assurance, student-centred pedagogy, and open learning. He has worked with incubation hubs such as TAGDEV 2.0 and AGLEAD, coordinating business development services and mentoring youth-led agri-enterprises. His work bridges education, innovation, and community engagement to foster entrepreneurship and sustainability in African food systems.

Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito

Associate Professor and Director for Research, Partnerships and Innovation, Uganda Christian University

Country and partner type - Uganda, university

NUS and thematic focus
• Leads breeding, varietal development, and biotechnology research on African Indigenous Vegetables
• Focus on Solanum aethiopicum (Nakati) cultivars for food security and climate resilience

Short bio
Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito is an accomplished plant breeder and research leader. She holds a PhD in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and currently serves as Director for Research, Partnerships and Innovation at Uganda Christian University. She is President of the All Africa Horticultural Congress and a recipient of multiple fellowships and awards, including the Borlaug Fellowship and the CIAT Outstanding Research Publication Award. Her work has contributed to the release of Africa’s first-ever improved varieties of Solanum aethiopicum (Nakati), including drought-tolerant cultivars adapted for dryland agroecologies. Her research bridges scientific innovation with practical solutions for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prof. Jwan Ibbini

Associate Professor and Head of Department, Land Management and Environment, Hashemite University

Country and partner type - Jordan, university

NUS and thematic focus
• Works on environmental microbiology, biorisk management, and antimicrobial agents from natural systems such as clay minerals
• Advocates innovative pedagogy in environmental sciences, linking sustainability, remediation, and biosecurity to teaching

Short bio
Prof. Jwan Ibbini is an environmental microbiologist with over 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and academic leadership. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Kansas State University and is currently Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Land Management and Environment at Hashemite University. Her research spans bioremediation, biorisk management, and the discovery of antimicrobial compounds from natural resources. She has contributed to multiple EU and national research projects, developed training programs on environmental and biosecurity topics, and introduced experiential teaching models within Jordan’s higher education system. Her academic work is backed by a prolific publication record and multiple awards for teaching and research.

Prof Joyce Lepetu

Dean, Faculty of Natural Resources, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN)

Country and partner type - Botswana, national university

NUS and thematic focus

Agroforestry systems, indigenous tree species and community-managed natural resources
Climate-resilient production models that integrate neglected and underutilized tree species (NUTS) into farming systems
Forestry and agriculture linkages and community stewardship in semi-arid ecosystems

Short bio
Prof Joyce Lepetu is an Associate Professor of Forest Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources at BUAN. She has over three decades of experience in forest ecology, agroforestry and community-based natural resource management. Her academic and policy work bridges forest-based climate adaptation, indigenous species conservation and sustainable land management. She has led national and regional programmes on livelihoods, ecosystem services and agroecological transitions. She works extensively with government, communities and development partners. She has contributed to higher education reforms in forestry, biodiversity and climate change through African Forest Forum, ANAFE and BUAN. She holds a PhD in Forest Sciences from the University of Florida, an MSc in Forestry from the University of Edinburgh and a BSc from the University of Wales.

Dr Dennis Maina Gatahi

Lecturer and Dean, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Karatina University

Country and partner type - Kenya, national university

NUS and thematic focus

Indigenous vegetable crops, including their agronomy, conservation and promotion
Organic farming, nanopolymers and biological agents for sustainable production
Conservation agriculture and climate-resilient farming practices
Integration of biodiversity and food safety in horticultural systems

Short bio
Dr Dennis Maina Gatahi is Dean of the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology at Karatina University. He is a horticulturist and conservation agriculturist with wide experience in teaching, research, curriculum development and farmer outreach. His work focuses on indigenous vegetable crops and sustainable agricultural practices, including the use of organic nanopolymers and biological agents to improve food quality and environmental outcomes. Dr Gatahi has led capacity-building programs across Kenya, training farmers, students and professionals in areas such as IPM, organic farming, food safety, greenhouse production and conservation agriculture. He is a published researcher and an active member of the Horticulture Association of Kenya. He holds a PhD in Horticulture and is committed to advancing biodiversity, food security and environmental stewardship.

3.2 Research Organizations / CGIAR / Regional and International Research Bodies

Participants from applied research institutions and global research networks.

Dr Oluwole Abiodun Fatunbi

Acting Director of Research and Innovation, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Ghana

Country and partner type - Ghana, research network and continental policy body

NUS and thematic focus
-Forgotten and underutilized African foods, indigenous crops and food biodiversity, and soil health.
-Links adapted crops, regenerative agriculture, and continental policy processes so indigenous foods sit at the centre of African food systems and nutrition agendas.

Short bio
Dr Fatunbi is Acting Director of Research and Innovation at FARA and holds a PhD in Farming Systems Agronomy and Soil Fertility from the University of Ibadan. He has over two decades of experience in agricultural research, innovation systems, and development practice across Africa. He designed and led the Sub Saharan Africa Challenge Programme, which validated the Innovation Platform model now used widely on the continent. He co leads the African Union Technical Working Group for the Soil Initiative for Africa and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, endorsed by African Heads of State in 2024. He has authored more than 120 peer reviewed publications.

Dr Carlo Rega

Coordinator, Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security, European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy

Country and partner type - Italy, funder and enabling partner

NUS and thematic focus
Carlo's current work focuses on generating and synthesizing evidence to support sustainable food systems, food security, and agroecological transformation. Through the JRC’s Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security, he recently led the development of a commissioned knowledge review on the potential benefits of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) for food system resilience and development cooperation. His work supports cross-cutting evidence on agroecology, gender equality in food systems, and rural development.

Short bio
Dr. Carlo Rega holds a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and a PhD in Spatial Planning and Local Development. His areas of expertise include environmental assessment, ecological modelling, agri-environmental indicators, and rural development. From 2008 to 2013, he worked as a research fellow at the Polytechnic University of Turin. Between 2013 and 2022, he served as a researcher at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) in the Agri-Environment team of the Food Security Unit. From 2022 to 2024, he was an analyst at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI). In October 2024, he rejoined the JRC to coordinate the Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security (KC-FNS), which provides evidence and policy-relevant knowledge on sustainable food systems, food security, gender, agroecology, and development. He has authored recent reviews on NUS, agroforestry in Africa, and the impacts of development aid cuts on food security.

Ms Francesca Grazioli

Economist, Alliance Bioversity-CIAT

Country and partner type - Kenya, CGIAR centre

NUS and thematic focus
- Neglected and underutilized crops, community seed systems and farmer managed tree resources in sub Saharan Africa.
- Links agrobiodiversity, value chains and local decision making to food security and resilience, with attention to how evidence on NUS informs policy and practice.

Short bio
Francesca is an economist who focuses on food security, agrobiodiversity and resilient food systems. She designs and evaluates programmes from project level to national policy frameworks, with particular attention to neglected and underutilized crops, community seed systems and farmer managed tree resources. Her work uses participatory approaches and strong monitoring and evaluation to strengthen value chains and local decision making. Based in sub Saharan Africa, she collaborates with governments, research institutions and civil society to improve biodiversity resilience and support inclusive food systems. She is interested in how teaching and training connect evidence on NUS and agrobiodiversity with practical tools for students.

Dr Yosef Gebrehawaryat Kidane

Senior Scientist, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Nairobi

Country and partner type - Kenya, CGIAR centre

NUS and thematic focus

-Agricultural biodiversity and Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) for resilient, nutritious and sustainable food systems.
-Integration of NUS into farming practices and value chains, with work on crop improvement, genomics and nutrition sensitive interventions that support smallholder adaptation to climate change, improved diets and better incomes.

Short bio
Dr Yosef Gebrehawaryat Kidane is a Senior Scientist at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Nairobi, Kenya. He works on agricultural biodiversity with a focus on Neglected and Underutilized Species to make food systems more resilient, nutritious and sustainable. His research and development work supports the integration of NUS into farming practices and value chains so smallholder farmers adapt to climate change while improving diets and incomes. He collaborates with farmers, policy makers and partners to turn biodiversity into practical solutions for food security and climate adaptation. Through projects on crop improvement, genomics and nutrition sensitive interventions, he advances the role of NUS in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially zero hunger and biodiversity conservation.

Prof Julia Sibiya

Capacity Lead, Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), CIMMYT-Kenya

Country and partner type- Kenya, CGIAR centre

NUS and thematic focus

-Climate resilient, nutritious opportunity crops (neglected and underutilized), including Bambara groundnut and other VACS priority species.
-Focus on African scientific and institutional capacity for breeding, seed systems and agrifood system resilience through a continent wide cohort of Fellows and partner universities.

Short bio
Prof Julia Sibiya is Capacity Lead for the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils at CIMMYT, where she leads work to strengthen African scientific and institutional capacity for climate resilient, nutritious opportunity crops. She coordinates a continent wide cohort of MSc, PhD, early and mid career Fellows who are trained and mentored by universities, CGIAR centres, advanced research institutes and global partners. Prof Sibiya holds a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Zimbabwe, an MS in Plant Pathology from The Ohio State University and a PhD in Plant Breeding from the University of KwaZulu Natal. An alumna of the African Centre for Crop Improvement and the UC Davis African Plant Breeding Academy, she has over 30 years of experience as a university professor, has supervised more than 80 MSc and PhD students and co authored over 150 scientific publications. She also leads Bambara groundnut breeding projects and is a founding member and outgoing President of the African Plant Breeders Association and an Advocate of the Borlaug Training Foundation.

Ms Irene Mughi

Vice President - Programs, Seed Systems Group

Country and partner type - Kenya, regional seed systems support organization

NUS and thematic focus
- Leads seed systems development in 15 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa, with a focus on climate-resilient and underutilized crops.
-Promotes farmer access to improved varieties and seed delivery systems adapted to smallholder needs in marginal environments.

Short bio
Irene Mughi is a seed systems and plant breeding specialist committed to transforming smallholder agriculture through better access to quality seed. Her career spans KALRO, the Alliance for Bioversity/CIAT, and the IFDC 2SCALE project, where she contributed to breeding, agribusiness development, and farmer outreach. She joined Seed Systems Group in 2019 and now serves as Vice President – Programs for East and Southern Africa, supporting national seed sectors in 15 countries. Irene holds a BSc in Agriculture (University of Nairobi), an MSc in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems (Makerere University), and is currently pursuing a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics.

Reinhold Gerhard Muschler

Latin American Chair for Agroecology and Agrobiodiversity, CATIE

Country and partner type – Costa Rica / Academic and regional research institution

NUS and thematic focus

Climate-resilient production systems based on agroecology, agroforestry, and locally adapted, nutrient-dense NUS
Food sovereignty, agrobiodiversity, and sustainable land use
Training programs for agroecological intensification and nutrition-sensitive agriculture

Short bio
Reinhold Muschler is the Latin American Chair for Agroecology and Agrobiodiversity at CATIE (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza), based in Costa Rica. He is a trained Geo-ecologist from the University of Bayreuth, with an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Agroforestry and Farming Systems from the University of Florida. His work focuses on redesigning smallholder farming systems for climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem health through agroecology, agroforestry, and increased use of agrobiodiverse, stress-tolerant, and locally adapted NUS.

He has contributed extensively to knowledge and practice on organic agriculture, soil carbon sequestration, and diversification of tropical production systems, including vegetables, coffee, cacao, bananas, and other crops targeting specialty markets. He coordinates CATIE’s Unit on Agrobiodiversity and Food Security, and developed a distance-learning Master’s program on “Agroecological Intensification for Food Sovereignty and Nutrition.” He has authored over 50 technical and training publications for experts, extension workers, and farmers.

3.3 NGOs / Civil Society / Development Partners

Participants from non-profit, civil society, or development organizations.

Mr Anshuman Das

Welthungerhilfe India

Country and partner type - India, civil society or NGO

NUS and thematic focus
- Uncultivated forest foods, indigenous vegetables, wild foods, and traditional cereals within tribal and indigenous food systems.
- Focus on how uncultivated and indigenous foods support nutrition, resilience, and cultural identity, and why food and agriculture policies need to recognise and protect these systems.

Short bio
Mr Das has over twenty years of experience working on agroecology, local food systems, and nutrition across South Asia and Africa. At Welthungerhilfe India he works at the interface of science, politics, and community knowledge, with a strong focus on food systems rooted in place, ecology, and culture. He has documented traditional food systems and supported communities to build local food networks that link producers, small businesses, and consumers. He designed participatory tools and curricula such as Sustainable Integrated Farming System and Linking Agriculture and Natural Resources with Nutrition, and coordinated the first mainstream agroecology course with the University of Calcutta.

Dr Sonia Peter

Founder and Executive Director, Biocultural Education and Research Programme (BERP), Barbados

Country and partner type - Barbados, civil society or NGO

NUS and thematic focus
- Medicinal plants of Barbados, wild and underused food and tea species, and Caribbean plants of biocultural importance.
- Links plant biodiversity, traditional knowledge, citizen science, and small-scale value addition through products such as herbal teas and biocultural learning tools.

Short bio
Dr Peter leads the Biocultural Education and Research Programme, a non profit in Barbados focused on conservation and sustainable use of plant biodiversity through education and research. Her work spans medicinal plants, traditional knowledge, and biocultural heritage, with outputs such as the “Healing Roots” documentary, the book Yabisi Guada, and an ethnobotanical garden developed with Andromeda Botanic Gardens. A chemist by training, she has published on flavonoids from Caribbean species and previously coordinated Chemistry and Environmental Science programmes at Barbados Community College. Through Heritage Teas Barbados she demonstrates practical value addition from local plant resources.

Dr Rachel Isabel Mkandawire

Agricultural Policy and Research Specialist, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), Malawi

Country and partner type - Malawi, civil society and policy research network

NUS and thematic focus
Indigenous foods and NUS in food and nutrition security policy, including seed systems, access to planting material, and climate resilient food system planning in SADC and EAC.
Focus on translating NUS and indigenous foods research into policy, investment, and regional platforms that support curriculum uptake, enterprise development, and better nutrition outcomes.

Short bio
Dr Mkandawire is an agricultural policy and research specialist with over 15 years of experience in agricultural development, food security, and climate change adaptation in Eastern and Southern Africa. At FANRPAN she manages EU funded projects such as FOSTA Health and CEA FIRST, focusing on policy analysis, research translation, and institutional capacity strengthening. Her work covers indigenous foods policy, seed systems research, and regional agricultural investment planning through SADC and EAC processes. She holds a PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Pretoria and is committed to linking evidence, policy, and practice for resilient food systems and improved nutrition.

Ms Maureen Duru

Founder and Director, The Food Bridge vzw

Country and partner type - Belgium, diaspora led civil society organisation

NUS and thematic focus

-Indigenous and forgotten African foods, agrofood entrepreneurship, diaspora led agrifood enterprises, cultural food heritage and food sovereignty.

-Focus on links between academic research, community based knowledge, diaspora networks and entrepreneurial practice in order to place forgotten foods at the centre of higher education curricula and sustainable food systems.

Short bio
Ms Maureen Duru is founder of The Food Bridge vzw, a Belgian non profit dedicated to indigenous food cultures, agrofood entrepreneurship, food security, and research and education on African food systems. Over more than a decade she has positioned The Food Bridge as a leading advocate for African diaspora entrepreneurship in the agrofood sector. Ms Duru holds a PhD in Social History from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where she serves as a researcher with FOST, the interdisciplinary historical food studies group, with work on diasporas, food and identity. She also sits on the board of Shedidit, an incubator for female entrepreneurs from migrant backgrounds, and serves as Vice President of Sankaa, a Flemish government funded federation that represents over eighty associations in Belgium.

Samira Hotobah-During

Executive Secretary and Board Director, Alliance for Local Food and Nutrition Supply Chains in Africa

(Alliance Africa)

Country and partner type – United Kingdom / Africa‑wide, continental food systems alliance

NUS and thematic focus
-Strengthening local and indigenous food & nutrition supply chains across Africa, including NUS and traditional crops/fish/livestock.
-Rights-based, inclusive food systems; food sovereignty; empowerment of smallholder farmers, youth and marginalized communities.

Short bio
Samira Hotobah-During is Executive Secretary and a Board Director of the Alliance for Local Food and Nutrition Supply Chains in Africa (Alliance Africa), a pan‑African initiative aimed at building resilient, inclusive, and locally oriented food and nutrition value chains across the continent. She leads the Alliance’s Secretariat and oversees its advocacy, partnership-building, and coordination among member countries, civil society, SMEs, smallholder farmers and regional institutions. Through Alliance Africa, Samira has worked on promoting climate‑resilient local foods, inclusive governance of food systems, and equitable access to nutritious, culturally relevant food. Her role places her at the interface of policy, grassroots action, and regional collaboration - with a focus on food sovereignty, local production for local consumption, and strengthening underutilized and indigenous food species across African food systems. She brings strong experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, policy advocacy, and operational leadership in food systems transformation platforms.

3.4 Private Sector / Entrepreneurs

Participants running or representing food businesses and SMEs.

Ms Cornelia Ganaa Kanyiri

Founder and Team Lead, Nelia’s Foods Limited

Country and partner type - Ghana, youth led agrifood enterprise

NUS and thematic focus
-Processing locally grown vegetables and spices such as okra, pepper, ginger and locust beans into safe, shelf stable powdered products.
-Works with women smallholder farmers in Northern and Upper West Ghana on climate smart production, fair income and food safety along NUS based value chains.

Short bio
Cornelia is a Public Health Nursing professional and agribusiness entrepreneur who founded and leads Nelia’s Foods Limited, a youth led food processing company in Ghana. The enterprise produces natural powdered spices from locally grown crops, with strong attention to food safety and product quality. She works directly with women smallholder farmers in Northern and Upper West Ghana, strengthening incomes, climate smart practices and healthier diets. As a trainer and coach she has mentored more than 1,000 women and young people in agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Partnerships include the University of Ghana, the Postharvest Innovation Hub, USAID, GIZ, GTI and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Winnie Wambugu

Co-Founder and CEO, Nakuru Tubers

Country and partner type - Kenya, Agritech Enterprise

NUS and thematic focus
-Indigenous vegetables and postharvest systems
-Climate-smart seed systems and rural entrepreneurship

Short bio
Winnie Wambugu is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nakuru Tubers, a youth- and women-led agritech enterprise translating agricultural research into scalable, climate-smart seed systems for smallholder farmers in Kenya. She holds an MSc in Horticulture from Egerton University and brings deep experience in seed systems, farmer productivity, and rural market ecosystems. Her work increasingly focuses on neglected and underutilized species (NUS), particularly indigenous vegetables, to reduce postharvest losses and strengthen local food systems. Through applied research and enterprise design, she champions last-mile models that link scientific innovation to real-world adoption, with a strong emphasis on women and youth inclusion.

3.5 Independent Experts / Consultants

Participants not directly affiliated with institutions

Rev. Dr Nelson Kiama Mwaniki

Medicinal Plants Practitioner and Health Specialist, Botswana

Country and partner type - Botswana, independent expert

NUS and thematic focus

Cultivation and use of traditional medicinal plants including safflower
Promotion of indigenous knowledge and phytotherapy in community health
Research and training in occupational health, safety and herbal medicine
Integration of biodiversity and public health for sustainable livelihoods

Short bio
Rev. Dr Nelson Kiama Mwaniki is a Kenyan-born physician, academic and ordained priest based in Botswana. He holds degrees in Medicine and Occupational Health from the University of Nairobi and the National University of Singapore, alongside qualifications in theology and teaching. His professional background spans over 30 years of service in public health in Kenya and Botswana. In recent years, he has focused on the cultivation and use of indigenous medicinal plants, especially safflower, for health, nutrition and income generation. He has worked with farmers to promote herbal medicine and is developing a safflower cultivar adapted for African conditions. He has also contributed to academic programs and accreditation efforts for health training institutions in Southern Africa and has published widely on occupational health and safety.

3.5 Workshop Convenors and Coordination Leads

Mr. Francois Stepmann

Advisor, Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation and Research (GFAiR)

Short bio
Francois Stepman serves as an Advisor at the Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation and Research (GFAiR), supporting collective actions and partnerships that strengthen agricultural research and innovation for sustainable development. He brings over 30 years of experience in development cooperation, policy advisory, research capacity building, and international partnerships. Francois has worked extensively across Africa and the global south, including roles with UNDP, Médecins Sans Frontières, FARA, and ICARDA. He also co-administers the Platform for African–European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development (PAEPARD), engaging diverse stakeholders to advance collaborative agricultural research and innovation.

Florence Nakayiwa

Deputy Executive Secretary, RUFORUM Secretariat, Uganda

Short bio
Dr. Florence Mayega Nakayiwa is Deputy Executive Secretary (Planning, Resource Mobilisation and Management) at RUFORUM, bringing more than 20 years of experience in higher education leadership and institutional development across Africa. She joined RUFORUM from Makerere University where she served as Director of Planning and Development and led strategic planning and major donor programmes. At RUFORUM, Florence provides leadership in institutional development, policy engagement, partnerships, and networking across the RUFORUM university network. Her work focuses on strengthening the relevance of African universities for inclusive and sustainable development, advocacy, and resource mobilisation. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration in Higher Education Management from the University of Bath, UK, and a Master’s degree in Economic Policy Management from Makerere University.

Dr. Mary Kulabako

Curriculum Development Expert, RUFORUM Secretariat, Uganda

Short bio
Mary Kulabako (PhD) is an accomplished education expert with extensive academic and professional experience across Africa. She holds a PhD in Education from Unicaf University, Malawi, alongside advanced degrees in Vocational Pedagogy and Adult and Community Education from Kyambogo University, and a Diploma in Secondary Education. Her career spans lecturing at Kyambogo University, humanitarian work with INGOs, and currently serving as Program Officer for Education Access, Skilling, and Training at RUFORUM, a network of 75 universities in Africa. Mary has led and supported education programs in multiple countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia, with expertise in curriculum design, program development, monitoring and evaluation, and inclusive learning initiatives. She has directed projects funded by USDA, USAID, KOICA, Mastercard Foundation, and DFID, and is recognized for her mentorship, resource mobilization, and successful proposal writing, all aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving learning outcomes for marginalized learners.

Christine Gathecha

Network Coordination Consultant, RUFORUM/GFAiR

Short bio
Christine Gathecha is a global partnerships and programme delivery professional with over 18 years of experience in fundraising, grant management, and multi‑stakeholder coordination across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As Network Coordination Consultant for GFAiR, she will support RUFORUM in coordinating the NUS Education and Curriculum Development Network, including strengthening governance arrangements, aligning regional activities, and supporting delivery of agreed outputs such as workshop documentation, baseline inputs, curriculum planning processes, and knowledge products. Christine will work closely with universities, technical experts, and partners to ensure structured collaboration and timely implementation. She holds a Master of Arts in Development Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science.

Unity Chipunza

Educational technology and eLearning expert, RUFORUM

Short bio
Unity Chipunza is a distinguished educational technology and eLearning expert with

over 20 years of experience in digital skills training and learning design. A former

Director of Educational Technology Centre and TechWomen Fellow, she has led large-

scale initiatives including the Virtual and Open Distance Learning Science Education

Programme at Bindura University of Science Education, the BUSE-Higherlife Foundation project, training over 11,400 teachers, and served as a UNESCO Trainer Consultant for pandemic-responsive remote learning. Dedicated to accelerating digital fluency and the strategic integration of digital technology in education and currently serving as Program Officer - Digital Academy at RUFORUM, a network of 175 universities in Africa, Unity remains a forward- thinking leader in transforming higher education through innovative technology.

4. Participant Directory

4.1 Participant List

No.	Name	Institution	Country	Email
1	Dr Oral O. Daley	The University of the West Indies	Trinidad and Tobago	Oral.Daley@uwi.edu; oral.daley@sta.uwi.edu
2	Prof Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo	University of Abomey Calavi	Benin	assogbadjo@gmail.com; assogbadjo@yahoo.fr
3	Dr Kolawolé Valère Salako	University of Abomey Calavi	Benin	salakovalere@gmail.com; valere.salako@fsa.uac.bj
4	Dr. Flora Josiane Chadare	National University of Agriculture (UNA)	Benin	fchadare@gmail.com
5	Ms Milcah Mlazamirwa Kalinga	Mzuzu University	Malawi	milcahkalinga1@gmail.com
6	Dr Abdelhak Kabbabi	Mohammed VI Polytechnic University	Morocco	Abdelhak.kabbabi@um6p.ma
7	Prof John H. Muyonga	Makerere University	Uganda	hmuyonga@yahoo.com
8	Prof Christopher Chiedozie Eze	UAES	Nigeria	vc@uaes.edu.ng
9	Prof Agnes W. Mwang’ombe	University of Nairobi	Kenya	mwangombe@uonbi.ac.ke
10	Dr Juliana Jepkemoi Cheboi	University of Nairobi	Kenya	juliana.cheboi@uonbi.ac.ke
11	Prof Peter Baguma	Makerere University	Uganda	peter.baguma@mak.ac.ug
12	Prof Henriette de Kock	University of Pretoria	South Africa	Riette.dekock@up.ac.za
13	Dr Mady Cisse	UCAD	Senegal	mady.cisse@ucad.edu.sn
14	Dr Rachel Isabel Mkandawire	FANRPAN	Malawi	rmkandawire@fanrpan.org
15	Prof Pravat Kumar Roul	OUAT	India	vc@ouat.ac.in
16	Dr Oluwole Abiodun Fatunbi	FARA	Ghana	ofatunbi@faraafrica.org
17	Dr Carlo Rega	EC Joint Research Centre	Italy	Carlo.REGA@ec.europa.eu
18	Prof Gloria Ladjeh Essilfie	University of Ghana	Ghana	gessilfie@ug.edu.gh
19	Dr Silke Maria Stöber	Humboldt University	Germany	silke.stoeber@agrar.hu-berlin.de
20	Prof Nelson K. Olang’o Ojijo	JKUAT	Kenya	ojijonko@jkuat.ac.ke
21	Mr Anshuman Das	Welthungerhilfe India	India	Anshuman.Das@welthungerhilfe.de
22	Dr Gurmeet Singh	TDU India	India	gurmeet.singh@tdu.edu.in
23	Dr Francis Padi Lamptey	Cape Coast Technical University	Ghana	francis.lamptey@cctu.edu.gh
24	Dr Sonia Peter	BERP	Barbados	berp.speter@gmail.com
25	Prof Kebede Woldetsadik	Haramaya University	Ethiopia	kwolde58@gmail.com
26	Prof Edmore Gasura	University of Zimbabwe	Zimbabwe	egasura@agric.uz.ac.zw
27	Prof Chrispen Murungweni	CUT	Zimbabwe	Chrispen.Murungweni@gmail.com
28	Dr Mary M. Waiganjo	Egerton University	Kenya	Mary.waiganjo@egerton.ac.ke
29	Ms Cornelia Ganaa Kanyiri	Nelia’s Foods	Ghana	ganaacornelia@gmail.com
30	Ms Francesca Grazioli	Alliance Bioversity–CIAT	Kenya	F.Grazioli@cgiar.org
31	Ms Maureen Duru	The Food Bridge	Belgium	thefoodbridge@gmail.com
32	Dr Yosef Gebrehawaryat Kidane	Alliance Bioversity–CIAT	Kenya	Y.Gebrehawaryat@cgiar.org
33	Prof Julia Sibiya	CIMMYT Kenya	Kenya	J.SIBIYA@cgiar.org
34	Mr. Fahad Juma	Egerton University Business Incubation Centre	Kenya	jumafahad9@gmail.com
35	Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito	Uganda Christian University	Uganda	lkizito08@gmail.com
36	Prof. Jwan Ibbini	Hashemite University	Jordan	jhibbini@hu.edu.jo
37	Prof. Joyce Lepetu	Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN)	Botswana	jlepetu@buan.ac.bw
38	Dr. Dennis Maina Gatahi	Karatina University	Kenya	dgatahi@karu.ac.ke / denmagkenya@gmail.com
39	Rev. Dr. Nelson Kiama Mwaniki	Independent	Botswana	nelsonkmwaniki@gmail.com
40	Irene Mughi	Seed Systems Group	Kenya	irene.mughi@gmail.com
41	Winnie Wambugu	Nakuru Tubers	Kenya	chebetwambugu@gmail.com
42	Samira Hotobah-During	Alliance Africa	UK	samira.hotobah-during@allianceafrica.org
43	Dr. Reinhold Gerhard Muschler	CATIE – Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza	Costa Rica	rmuschler@catie.ac.cr / rmuschler@yahoo.com
44	Prof Levi Akundabweni	University of Namibia	Namibia	l.mudogo@gmail.com
45	Cynthia Odhiambo	Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics and Agriculture (WANDA)	Kenya	cynthia@iamwanda.org
46	Francois Stepman	GFAiR	Belgium	francois.stepman@gfair.network
47	Christine Gathecha	GFAiR Consultant - Network Coordination	Kenya	chrisgathecha@gmail.com
48	Emmanuel Okalany	RUFORUM	Uganda	e.okalany@ruforum.org
49	Jackie Nnam	GFAiR Consultant - Network Launch Planning	Nigeria	jackiennam@gmail.com
50	Mary Kulabako	RUFORUM	Uganda	m.kulabako@ruforum.org
51	Unity Chipunza	RUFORUM	Zimbabwe	u.chipunza@ruforum.org
52	Dr Patrick Byakagaba	Makerere University	Uganda	byaks2001@yahoo.com
53	Judith Nakyobe	RUFORUM	Uganda	j.nakyobe@ruforum.org
54	Loyce Angoku	RUFORUM	Uganda	l.angoku@ruforum.org

5. Organizing Partners and Supporters

GFAiR (Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation)

GFAiR, operating under the name Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAR), is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together farmer organisations, national agricultural research systems, universities, international research centres, civil society, the private sector and development agencies. The Forum works to make agri food research and innovation systems more effective, responsive and equitable, with a focus on supporting smallholder farmers and achieving sustainable development goals. GFAR facilitates collective action, shared agendas and partnerships that align research and innovation with the needs of farmers, rural communities and food system actors.

RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture)

RUFORUM is a pan African consortium of universities that supports postgraduate training, research and innovation in agriculture and related fields. The network promotes regional collaboration among African universities, strengthens graduate training, and links university programmes to farmer needs, agribusiness and policy processes. RUFORUM’s work responds to continental frameworks on agriculture, education and science, and includes competitive grants, regional doctoral programmes, curriculum reform and support for youth and women in agrifood systems.

IFS (International Foundation for Science)

The International Foundation for Science is an independent non governmental organisation that provides small research grants and tailored capacity strengthening to early career scientists in low and lower middle income countries. IFS supports researchers who work on the sustainable management of biological and water resources, including agriculture, food, biodiversity and environment related topics. The foundation combines individual grants with mentoring, training and networking so that promising scientists develop strong careers, join international research communities and contribute to local and national problem solving.

European Commission (EC) - Joint Research Centre

For this workshop, the European Commission is represented through the Joint Research Centre, the Commission’s internal science and knowledge service. The JRC provides independent scientific evidence and technical support for European Union policies across the whole policy cycle, including areas such as sustainable agriculture, food systems, land use and ecosystem services. Work includes modelling, data analysis, development of indicators and support to policy design and evaluation, carried out in collaboration with partners in Europe and internationally. Through this role, the JRC contributes policy and evidence perspectives that link agrobiodiversity and NUS to wider debates on sustainability, climate action and rural development.