Explore the Agriculture PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) at the University of the Free State, supported by RUFORUM and Mastercard Foundation under the TAGDev 2.0 programme.<\/p>\n
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)<\/strong>, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation<\/strong> and several African universities, has announced a new Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)<\/strong> opportunity at the University of the Free State (UFS)<\/strong> in South Africa.<\/p>\n This initiative is part of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa\u2019s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0)<\/strong> programme \u2014 a 10-year project running from 2023 to 2033<\/strong>. The programme aims to strengthen universities and TVET institutions to serve communities more effectively by empowering young Africans to lead the continent\u2019s agriculture and agri-food systems<\/strong> toward inclusive and climate-resilient growth.<\/p>\n Learn more about RUFORUM and its vision at www.ruforum.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n TAGDev 2.0 is designed to support economically disadvantaged but academically talented students<\/strong> across Africa in accessing higher education. It promotes inclusivity by prioritising women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The initiative is implemented in collaboration with a consortium of leading African universities, including:<\/p>\n Gulu University (Uganda)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Egerton University (Kenya)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Africa University (Zimbabwe)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n University of the Free State (South Africa)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Malawi University of Science and Technology (Malawi)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n University of Eldoret (Kenya)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n University of Cape Coast (Ghana)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n University of Bamenda (Cameroon)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n National University of Agriculture (Benin)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Universit\u00e9 Mohammed VI Polytechnique (Morocco)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This wide network of partnerships ensures a truly pan-African approach to agricultural education and research<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)<\/strong> is a cornerstone of RUFORUM\u2019s strategy to build human capacity and academic excellence<\/strong> in the field of agriculture<\/strong>. Since its inception in 2015, the GTA has contributed to RUFORUM\u2019s Vision 2030 goal: to build synergy from networks of specialisation and develop high-quality human resources needed to transform Africa\u2019s agricultural productivity.<\/em><\/p>\n The GTA programme aims to:<\/p>\n Improve the quality of higher education and increase the pool of PhD-trained academic staff<\/strong> in African universities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Provide opportunities for doctoral research<\/strong> to contribute directly to African development<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Strengthen inter-university collaboration<\/strong> in higher education and agricultural research.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Promote staff mobility<\/strong> among RUFORUM member universities across Africa.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n This initiative allows universities to exchange knowledge, research capacity, and practical expertise to tackle the continent\u2019s most pressing challenges in agriculture, food security, and climate resilience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For additional information on RUFORUM\u2019s academic goals and strategic priorities, visit the Vision 2030 Strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n As part of TAGDev 2.0, the University of the Free State (UFS)<\/strong> is offering several PhD positions<\/strong> under the GTA scheme. These positions focus on sustainable agriculture<\/strong>, livestock improvement<\/strong>, wildlife management<\/strong>, soil science<\/strong>, agrometeorology<\/strong>, agro-processing<\/strong>, and standards and certification<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Each GTA position is designed to combine doctoral research<\/strong> with teaching responsibilities<\/strong>, enabling candidates to gain both academic and professional experience while contributing to Africa\u2019s agricultural transformation.<\/p>\n Successful applicants will receive comprehensive support to conduct research aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<\/strong> and the African Union\u2019s Agenda 2063<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The GTA model ensures that postgraduate education directly benefits African communities and agricultural sectors by:<\/p>\n Building a new generation of PhD-qualified lecturers and researchers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Promoting locally relevant agricultural innovations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Enhancing institutional collaboration<\/strong> among African universities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Encouraging mobility and knowledge exchange<\/strong> within the continent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Graduates from this programme are expected to play a key role in shaping national policies, implementing practical solutions, and advancing research in agriculture and food systems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Applicants must be:<\/p>\n Citizens of African countries affiliated with RUFORUM member universities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Academically qualified, preferably with a Master\u2019s degree<\/strong> in agriculture, environmental sciences, or a related field.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Passionate about agricultural research, teaching, and rural development<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Both male and female applicants are welcome. However, female candidates, refugees, and individuals with disabilities<\/strong> are strongly encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n Deadline :<\/strong> 30 November 2025<\/p>\n Interested applicants can find the detailed call for submissions and full application guidelines on the official RUFORUM website at : click here\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Detailed information about available GTA positions, eligibility, and the application process can be found on the official RUFORUM Opportunities page<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) PhD positions at the University of the Free State<\/strong> represent a transformative opportunity for aspiring African scholars to contribute to sustainable development through agriculture research and education<\/strong>.<\/p>\n By empowering young academics to drive innovation in the agri-food sector, RUFORUM and its partners \u2014 including the Mastercard Foundation<\/strong> \u2014 are investing in a generation that will lead Africa\u2019s agricultural transformation<\/strong> for decades to come.<\/p>\n
\nAbout the TAGDev 2.0 Programme<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nGraduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Programme Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nGraduate Teaching Assistantship Opportunities at UFS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nProgramme Benefits and Impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nEligibility and Application Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n