Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise...

Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer

Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM

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There was a mood of jubilation and ecstasy among the graduands and

members of staff in Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise

Development, as the School graduated its pioneering group of students in a

colorful graduation ceremony on December, 14th 2012. The ceremony which

was presided over by the University Chancellor, Prof. Justice ( Rtd) Onesmus

Mutungi saw fifteen (15) BSc. and Two (2) MSc. Agronomy conferred with their

Bachelors and Masters degrees respectively.

The graduands had undergone four (4) and two (2) years training respectively to

prepare them to effectively contribute to growth of the Agricultural sector in

Africa and globally.

Pioneering granduands from the School



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Congratulations to our graduates:

While congratulating the pioneering students for their hard work and

commitment, the Dean of the School exuded confidence that they will excel in

their professions and future academic engagements.

“Being our pioneering students, we are jubilant and congratulate them for their

resilience, dedication and hard work in their training. We are confident that they

have what it takes to fit into the market and compete strongly with peers,’’ said

Prof. Wanjohi.

The Dean also thanked all staff in the school for their commitment and resolve to

deliver the best to the students.

Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, Dean School of Agriculture & Enterprise Development

(front row, 2nd left) with a section of graduands from the School.



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MSc graduate Ms. Njeri Njau (left) with the VC Prof. Olive Mugenda (middle) &

Mr. Kwame Ogero during the graduation day.

What the Graduates say

Our graduates have excelled locally and internationally. Mr. Kwame, an MSc.

graduate is currently a program Assistant at the International Service for the

Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications ( ISAAA) Africenter and the liason to the

Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Kenya. He says, “I had a

wonderful experience in Kenyatta University. The training I got has helped me a

lot in terms of professional growth. The course sufficiently covered the skills I

needed in the field. My research enabled me acquire skills in plant tissue culture

and effective design and implementation of projects geared towards solving

crop production constraints.”



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Mr. Ogero Kwame, MSc Agronomy graduate evaluating performance of

genetically modified insect-resistant cotton in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

The high quality of research done by Kwame received recognition both locally

and internationally. A paper from the project entitled ‘In vitro Micropagation of

cassava through low cost tissue culture’ was awarded the first prize in the

International Graduate Student Research Paper Competition by Essential

Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL), Cornell University.

Mr. Howard O. Mugera, a BSc. Agribusiness Management and Trade graduate

and currently a Marketing officer at Western Seeds Company hailed the training

he had as very helpful. ‘’ The training I received in the School was very helpful as

it focused on what I wanted to do in life. The training exposed us on how to

creatively and profitably manage Agribusinesses. I believe the emphasis to be

creative in Kenyatta University made me more competitive when applying for

my current position,” said Mr. Horward.



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Support from RUFORUM

Ms. Njeri Njau who is the first student under the sponsorship of RUFORUM in the

School to graduate, is currently working as a Research Assistant at Masinde

Murilo University. She had this to say, “The funding from RUFORUM has enabled

me carry out a MSc. Agronomy degree successfully. The training I received

equipped me with solid course work and research skills especially in disease and

pest management. I carried out a participatory research which has had positive

impact to banana farmers in East and Central regions of Kenya. ”

Ms. Njeri Njau, MSc. Agronomy graduate under Banana Microprogation Project

funded by RUFORUM working under a laminar hood in a research laboratory.

“My visibility as a young scientist has greatly increased from the opportunities

provided by RUFORUM. I have been able to attend several conferences

including the 2nd and 3rd RUFORUM biennial conferences where I presented my

results,” Added Ms. Njau.



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Ms. Njau was awarded the 1st prize for the best Oral presentation during the 11th

workshop on sustainable horticultural production in the tropics. “I was also

selected as a Semi-finalist in the 3rd

CTA/FARA/IFS/ANAFE/RUFORUM/NEPAD/AGRA Africa-wide Women & Young

Professionals in Science Competition and I hope to make it to the finals,” She

said before adding. “From the workshops and conferences I have been able to

connect with seasoned scientists from whose insights I have gained much. I

have also been able to publish my results in journals. I look forward to doing a

PhD and developing my career further. This will contribute to my goal of

reducing the impact of diseases in major crops in Africa.”

The PI for the project under which Ms. Njau trained, Dr. Maina Mwangi, confirms

the project is of historical significance as it directly supported recruitment of the

first bacth of students in the MSc Agronomy programme. Dr. Maina further

praises the good design of the programme which ensured students were

adequately supported throughout coursework and research to fully

concentrate on their studies. The emphasis on collaborations and participatory

approach to research led to establishment of strong linkages and networks

between SAED, other institutions and farmers.

Njeri Njau teaching farmers on management of banana diseases during

farmers’ field day.



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“These linkages have outlived the project as proven by continued collaboration

in other projects, and will be invaluable far into the future of SAED,” says Dr.

Maina.

Inception meeting of RUFORUM sponsored banana macropropagation project at

Kenyatta University involving 3 students, farmers, extension service providers,

district agricultural officers and collaborating KARI scientists held at EAST College

Embu.

RUFORUM funding has immensely contributed to growth of the School. A total of

four (4) projects are currently ongoing sponsoring thirteen (13) masters’ students.

“We very much appreciate the great support from RUFORUM,” Says the Dean.

About the School:

The School was established in December, 2007 to be a centre of excellence

and creativity in response to the growing need for graduates who can meet

rapidly changing market demands in Agriculture and allied sectors, and are

able to effectively play their role in building and maintaining a strong economy

and food security in the region.



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Our Emphasis

“We lay emphasis on practical hands on knowledge and training to our students

by incorporating practicum, lab exercises, field trips and field attachments,

research projects and seminars in the delivery of content. Our graduates are

therefore envisaged to be of high quality, and have a significant outlook and

perspective to potential and challenges bedeviling the Agricultural Sector both

locally and internationally, “says the Dean, Prof Waceke Wanjohi

Departments and Programs:

The School has witnessed tremendous growth over the last four (4) years and

currently has over 1000 students in its three (3) Departments: Agricultural Science

and Technology, Agricultural Resource Management and Agribusiness

Management and Trade under which, six Bachelor of Science programmes and

Nine (9) Masters of Science programmes are offered. The BSc programmes

includes: BSc. Agriculture, Agriculture Resource Management, Animal

Production and Health Management, Dryland Agriculture and Enterprise

Development, Crop Improvement and Protection and, Agribusiness

Management and Trade. Masters of Science programmes are in; Agribusiness

Management, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy (Crop Production and Crop

Protection options), Plant Breeding, Seed Technology and Trade, Crop

Improvement and Protection ( Pathology option and Entomology option), Land

and Water Management and Integrated Soil Fertility Management.

Upcoming programmes include, BSc in Horticulture, Agricultural Education and

Extension and, Postgraduate programmes in Gender and Agriculture, Animal

Sciences, Horticulture, Dry land Agriculture and Soil Science.

“Our PhD Programmes are several and are by thesis. We are developing new

Ph.D programmes that involve course work as well in response to market

demands, ” Said Prof. Wanjohi.

Mode of study

Besides residential mode of study, the School also offers its programmes under

the open, distance and E-Learning platform (ODeL) and Institutional Based

Programme (IBP) mode of study.



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Our Teaching Staff

Students in the School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development are trained

and mentored by a team of 34 highly qualified and experienced academic

members of staff of whom, over 70 % are PhD holders.

International outlook

The School has attracted a large number of postgraduate students of diverse

nationalities including Uganda, Rwanda, D.R Congo, Mozambique, South

Sudan, Sudan, Liberia and Kenya. Students training in the school are therefore

privileged to study in a rich multicultural environment. Notably, the School hosts

one of the largest MSc training programmes in Integrated Soil Fertility

Management funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

which is training 16 MSc students from Kenya, Rwanda and Mozambique.

MSc students in Integrated Soil fertility Management at KU during a meeting with

Dr. Marie Rarieya, AGRA Programme Officer (3rd from right front row) and the

Dean Prof. Waceke Wanjohi (4th from right front row) and staff

The international profile of our programmes has enhanced interaction and

sharing of knowledge and experiences, not only among students but also

among researchers in the region.



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Other regional programmes in the School include the SASACID programme;

analyzing and strengthening agribusiness training supported through ANAFE in a

network of 16 partnering universities in East, South and Western Africa.

The School is also a collaborator in the consortium that will be implementing the

Haagrim programme funded by the EU Commission that will promote mobility of

agribusiness students and staff between nations across the African continent.

Another notable programme is the Farmers Voice Radio in which BSc students

have actively supported delivery of agricultural extension information to farmers

in their home districts across Kenya.

An important innovation in this programme is that students are equipped with

recorders to record interviews with farmers which are then broadcast on

national radio so that farmers can benefit from diverse sources of knowledge

and experiences. The four (4) years’ programme was funded by the American

Institutes for Research.

Special thanks to the Elijah Waweru (Administrative Assistant) and support from

the School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development- Kenyatta University for

sharing their experiences with the RUFORUM network.

Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise...

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