Community-focused workshop brings together local stakeholders

Sept. 2016

During the Community Engagement Workshop, scholars' design teams utilized the design thinking to develop guiding principles for acquiring and incorporating project feedback. Scholars revised their project action plans and budgets, and developed a deeper understanding of what's necessary to successfully implement a project that engages the local community.  Throughout the workshop sessions, facilitators utilized design thinking processes to facilitate learning, assessment, and action planning. A community forum was also held at LUANAR. The event brought together external stakeholders including government officials, producers, and alumni to discuss expectations and possibilities of collaboration.

The events were held in collaboration with Dr. Paul Kibwika of Makerere University, Uganda, and Daimon Kabewa, Director of Extension at LUANAR. Additionally, a panel of university community stakeholders was seated, namely, Mr. Hastings Yotamu, Program Manager Representative for Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Division; the Honorable Felix Jumbe, Member of Parliament, Commercial Farmer, Peacock Industries; Mr. Victor Mhone, Farmers Union of Malawi; Mr. Tamani-Nkhono-Mvula, Civil Society Agriculture Network; Mr. Neil Orchardson, Technical Assistant, Oil Seed Products Technical Working Group.

"This is the first time in my three years as DVC to see a stakeholder panel like this at LUANAR," said Dr. Emmanuel Kaunda, who was serving at the time as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. LUANAR Professor Kanyama-Phiri, added, "This is the kind of event that puts LUANAR on the map." The main takeaways from the panel were that stakeholders want to engage with LUANAR and stakeholders value LUANAR’s input, when it is relevant to their challenges.