kenyatta university, school of agriculture and enterprise...
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Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
Page 1 of 10
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
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
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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.
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
Page 3 of 10
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.”
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
Page 4 of 10
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.
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
Page 5 of 10
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.
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
Page 6 of 10
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.
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
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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.
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
Page 8 of 10
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.
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
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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.
Kenyatta University, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development (SAED) Graduates Pioneer
Group of Students - Newsletter Article submitted to RUFORUM
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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.