A comprehensive social safeguards training program was held in Naivasha. This three-day workshop focused on enhancing the skills of university frontline staff who frequently interact with students and other stakeholders.

The training covered essential areas including:

• Communication Skills: Techniques to improve clarity and effectiveness in interactions.
• Effective Listening: Strategies to ensure all voices are heard and understood.
• Customer Care: Best practices for delivering exceptional service.
• Stress Management: Tools to help manage stress in a high-pressure environment.
• Time Management: Methods to optimize productivity and efficiency.
• Record Keeping: Proper techniques for maintaining accurate and organized records.

This initiative is part of CESAAM's retooling mandate, which emphasizes the importance of social safeguards in our operations. By equipping our staff with these vital skills, we ensure that they can handle customer interactions with the utmost professionalism. This training not only enhances their ability to manage daily tasks but also significantly improves our overall service delivery.

Investing in our staff's development is crucial in fostering an environment where students and stakeholders feel valued and supported. We are committed to continuous improvement and excellence in service, and this training is a significant step towards achieving these goals.

The team from the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM) had the privilege of visiting Bowie State University. This visit was part of an exchange program aimed at fostering collaboration and seeking more funding to ensure the sustainability of our projects.

CESAAM has enjoyed a robust partnership with Bowie State University, a relationship that has yielded significant benefits for both institutions. One of the highlights of this partnership is the "sandwich program," which allows undergraduate students from land-grant universities in the United States to spend one month at Egerton University in Kenya. This program not only enriches the students' educational experiences but also facilitates cultural exchange and global learning.

Furthermore, this collaboration has enabled our professors to supervise these visiting students, contributing to groundbreaking research and advancements in agriculture. The global impact of these initiatives is a testament to the strength and effectiveness of our partnership.

We are committed to advocating for the continuous strengthening of this collaboration. Ensuring the sustainability of our projects through such partnerships is vital for advancing agricultural education and research, ultimately contributing to global food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

We look forward to many more years of productive collaboration with Bowie State University, driving innovation and excellence in agriculture.

We are thrilled to announce that the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM) recently hosted the first-of-its-kind symposium in collaboration with the Virginia Tech Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Communicating Science (APECS) Project. The symposium took place at ARC Hotel, Egerton University, in May 2024, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and science communication.

The symposium featured a dynamic case competition where participants were tasked with designing a pitch, technical issue brief, and op-ed based on a science-based recommendation to the 2023 GAP Report. This competition provided a unique platform for participants to showcase their expertise and innovative ideas to a panel of virtual and in-person judges, as well as an engaged audience.

Participants received invaluable mentorship from industry-based coaches, who provided guidance and insights to help refine their presentations. The winning team will have the exciting opportunity to travel to the United States in October 2024, further expanding their knowledge and professional networks.

The symposium brought together 21 PhD students from various universities and research institutions across Kenya. These fellows, representing a diverse range of academic disciplines and research interests, demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity in addressing critical agricultural issues.

We are immensely proud to have facilitated this event, which underscores our commitment to fostering academic excellence and professional development among the next generation of agricultural scientists. This symposium not only highlighted the importance of science-based recommendations in shaping agricultural policies but also emphasized the role of effective communication in driving impactful change.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Virginia Tech and all participants for making this symposium a resounding success. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and supporting initiatives that enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the journey of the winning team and their exciting trip to the United States!

Sorghum bread has excited bread consumers in Nakuru town following the introduction of the product in the market. The bread is baked using composite flour of sorghum and wheat at some ideal ratios. It is not just any sorghum but some special cultivar developed and evaluated at Egerton University by a team of scientists led by Prof. Erick Cheruiyot. It is a product of a concept developed by the team and supported by the then Kenya Agricultural and Agribusiness Project (KAPAP), financed by the World Bank in 2011.