On 21st October 2025, the TAGDev 2.0 Program at Egerton University led by the Program Coordinator Prof. Nancy Mungai, brought together supervisors guiding Cohort 1 postgraduate students under the Program at Nuru Palace, Nakuru for a reflection meeting aimed at enhancing supervision practices and promoting timely completion of studies. Also in attendance were key academic leaders from Egerton University, including Prof. Joyce Ndemo, Chair of Department (COD) for Crops, Horticulture and Soils; Prof. James Odiek, COD for the Department of Animal Science; Prof. Hillary Bett, COD for the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management; Dr. Oscar Donde, COD for Environmental Science; Dr. Samuel Nyakatch, COD for the Agricultural Engineering Department; Dr. Justus Ombati, Deputy Director of the Graduate School and Prof. Charles Merimba, Director of the Graduate School. The meeting aimed at discussing how best to support student progress, strengthen mentorship, and align postgraduate research with the broader objectives of the TAGDev 2.0 Program.
In her opening remarks, the Program Coordinator emphasized the key role of supervisors in nurturing academic excellence and advancing research that responds to community and national development priorities. She also emphasized the need for close collaboration among students, supervisors, departments, and the Graduate School to enhance the quality of supervision and support students to progress efficiently through their studies.
A key action point from the meeting was the renewed commitment to come up with strategies to enhance co-supervision practices as a strategy for improving the quality and timeliness of feedback to students. This approach is expected to strengthen mentorship, promote accountability, and ensure that students receive consistent guidance throughout their research journey. The supervisors also reaffirmed their collective goal of supporting students to complete their studies within the expected timelines through proactive engagement and a structured roadmap for supervision.
Discussions further explored how to align the TAGDev postgraduate scholar’s research with the TAGDev program’s thematic value chains, emphasizing relevance to agricultural transformation, innovation, and community impact. Supervisors were encouraged to guide students in framing research questions that respond to real-world challenges while upholding ethical standards and academic integrity.
The meeting also provided space for reflection on emerging issues in postgraduate supervision, including the integration of technology in research and supervision processes. Supervisors acknowledged the growing use of Artificial Intelligence tools and emphasized the importance of maintaining authenticity, originality, and adherence to research ethics.
The importance of open communication and mutual accountability between students and supervisors was also addressed. Participants agreed that regular meetings, timely feedback, and flexibility in addressing student needs are critical in building confidence and fostering a productive academic environment. The supervisors also highlighted the need for continuous capacity building to equip themselves with evolving supervision skills that respond to the changing academic landscape.
Beyond academic oversight, the discussions touched on the broader vision of TAGDev 2.0 — fostering research that contributes to sustainable agricultural systems, community development, and evidence-based policy. Supervisors reaffirmed their role not only as academic mentors but also as enablers of transformation who guide students to generate knowledge that can shape real-world solutions.
In conclusion, the meeting strengthened the shared understanding among supervisors of their vital role in driving the success of postgraduate training under TAGDev 2.0. By reinforcing co-supervision, promoting ethical research, and fostering consistent engagement with students, the supervisors committed to cultivating an environment where postgraduate research thrives and contributes meaningfully to the transformation of Africa’s agri-food systems.
Written By:
Ian Kamau.
Communication Intern, TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University.
