NEWS
Twenty-eight 2011 AWARD Fellows participated in the AWARD Leadership Skills Course designed for post-bachelor’s scientists at the beginning of their careers.
Obtaining leadership positions in agricultural science remains a challenge for many women. Although women produce, process, and market the majority of Africa’s food, only one in four agricultural researchers are female; only one in seven holds a management position in a national agricultural research institution. The expertise of women scientists needs to be fully engaged if Africa is to solve its food security issues.
Surveys show that many senior African leaders in agricultural research will retire in the next decade. Who will take their place? AWARD is helping to prepare the next generation of women leaders by providing training courses for its fellows tailored to fit their level of experience.
The AWARD Leadership Skills Course designed for post-bachelor’s AWARD Fellows took place last week in Nairobi. The fellows learned presentation, negotiation, and team-building skills by undertaking self-analysis and participating in group exercises. A few fellows shared their thoughts on the course:
“Since the first day we learned so much, especially presentation skills. I had made many presentations before but no one commented on my strengths and weaknesses. We video-taped our presentations and once I saw my presentation on video I was able to get some constructive advice on how to make an effective presentation. Through the other fellows I learned how to be confident as well as deep listening skills and how to give and accept feedback. This course has been great for networking because I have met so many new people, some even from my country who I did not know before I came here.”
– Celestina Omohimi, Nigeria
“The trainers are excellent because they push you in a kind way beyond your limits. I learned that it’s okay for me to say ‘no’ and to plan and prioritize my tasks.”
– Catherine Sakala, Zambia
“I learned time-management skills and how to expand the quality of my work which will help me in my new job. Networking with all the women here has shown me that Africa has a lot of potential. ”
– Sarah Osama, Kenya
“The course has taught me how to manage a conversation to get what I want and how to convey my message. The process of negotiating to achieve my goals was also useful. The trainers showed us that negotiations are a back and forth process and how to move beyond a standstill in a negotiation.”
– Marie Lucie Nyiragaruka, Rwanda
“I want to impact society and for this I will need resources. As such, I need to know how to negotiate to acquire these resources so that I can make an impact. I may not always get everything I want in a negotiation, but it is important to learn how to and be in a position to compromise so that I can achieve my objectives. Also, now I have all these friends and professional contacts that I can tap into in order to further my research.”
– Mirriam Phiri, Zambia
“I considered myself a laid back person, but now I see the leader in myself. I am also seeing skills in others and tapping into them. I enjoyed the conflict resolution workshop because I am a person who avoids conflict and panics easily. I want to learn to resolve conflict in a constructive manner.”
– Njeri Njau, Kenya
“I didn’t know I was a leader and the right things to do as a leader. I also had no experience with negotiation, but this has added to my knowledge. It’s useful to see how other women with similar personalities are developing their skills.”
– Asimenye Nthakomwa, Malawi
“I have learned how to improve my listening skills, give feedback, and not to be passive or quiet in order to make a positive change. The negotiations component has shown me how to be persistent to achieve my goals and the self-evaluation has taught me who I am and what I want, but also that I can compromise. I have also had the opportunity to network with other Nigerians and other Africans to connect with them on conferences and build relationships.”
– Oluyinka Oroniran, Nigeria
“Going forward from this course, I am now able to correct the mistakes I’ve been making from the feedback and constructive criticism I received from the other women and trainers here. The team work has been extremely useful because we learned how to build a team and make that team flow. This course has a productive use of my time and I consider myself lucky to be an AWARD Fellow.”
– Graca Manjate, Mozambique