Master of Science in Agricultural Information and Communication Management

    Overview

    Agricultural Information and Communication Management Programme at postgraduate level was strongly supported by the findings of a training needs assessment undertaken by Regional Agricultural Information Network (RAIN) in 2005. The National stakeholders workshop on the AICM postgraduate programmes (MSc and PGD) adopted the following findings by RAIN/ASARECA and the Regional Taskforce:

    1. It was established that agricultural professionals of all cadres in the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) region with Agricultural Information and Communication Management (AICM) skills are few or lacking. More specifically, agricultural researchers, educators and technologists in National Agricultural Research Systems, universities and extension services lack skills that can make them self-sufficient in meeting basic information needs to generate and disseminate technology.

    2. Agricultural research results are not effectively transmitted to the international research community. As a result, African concerns do not drive the international research agenda. The rate of scientific journals published in Africa, therefore, is quite low and insignificant in the world research arena. There is also a scarcity of trained professional scientific editors capable of assisting scientists in the region to get their research findings published in international peer refereed journals.

    3. Existing university programmes do not have adequate Information and Communication Technology/ Information and Communication Management (ICT/ICM) content, explaining the low ICT/ICM competency among graduates.

    4. There is a growing recognition that ICM is an emerging profession in development.

    The programme targets graduates from a variety of backgrounds and specialization including agricultural and related sciences, the biological sciences, information and communication science, information technology and social sciences. AICM also provides for admission of mid career candidates with relevant experience in their relevant areas of specialization.

    The aim of AICM program is to enhance the competency of professionals in the agricultural field and other development workers in managing and communicating agricultural information for accelerated development and poverty reduction, and to strengthen the capacity of universities to provide high

    Philosophy of the programme


    The overall objective of this degree program is to produce competent graduates in Agricultural communication, ICT and Knowledge Management with adequate knowledge and skills to contribute to increased food security through efficient communication of agricultural information and technologies to farmers and other stakeholders.
    The revised programme broadens the options of the students to choose from in their 3rd Semester of study. The first one years of the Master of Science in Agricultural Science Communication programme will be spent on core courses which will ground the students in agriculture Information and Communication-related sciences and the fundamentals of the professional agricultural disciplines. In 2nd year, the student will undertake research work culminating into a Thesis which is equivalent to eight Units and will be submitted and examined through the graduate school.


    Rationale of the programme
    Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy. It contributes about 30% of the GDP and provides income to over 70% of the population. However, the sector continues to face many challenges, one of them being poor communication and management of agricultural information. This challenge is brought about by a lack of manpower with both knowledge of agricultural science and communication, understaffing of extension personnel (current extension officer to farmer ratio is at 1:1500), and policy communication disconnects brought about by devolution under the New constitution among others. On the other hand, there have been numerous developments in field of communication, journalism, knowledge management and information and communication technology which have been used by other disciplines to improve productivity in the respective areas. However, these skills have not been applied in agriculture due to the lack of cross-cutting expertise. There is a need for manpower with cross-cutting skills in agriculture, communication, information, knowledge management and information communication technology which effectively bridge the gap. The degree in Agricultural Information and communication management will prepare graduates for Knowledge management, communication, Journalism and ICT in agriculture. Currently, the agricultural sector has been borrowing expertise from another field which has led to inaccurate reporting of facts and failure to communicate. The curriculum is fairly broad and offers many career opportunities in agriculture and communication. The Department of Agricultural Economics will be implementing this programme.

    Mode of delivery

    Face-to-face mode

    This will be through lectures, discussion groups, seminars, guided field visits and industry tours, case studies and assignments

    Open distance and e-learning mode

    This will be through self-instructional and online self-study materials, including self-instructional study modules such as booklets, relevant literature to the course, and online interactive devices and self-tests; technical learning materials such as audiovisual, e-learning materials and video clips.

    Blended learning mode

    This will combine both face-to-face and online learning approaches including but not limited to: the use of online tools and resources such as Google classroom, YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Moodle and Blackboard; Hand-on practical exercises in the field, face-to-face group work in classrooms and face-to-face tutorials between online lessons; and use of cloudbased content and learning course management system application to connect with students online.

     

    Apply here: https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/

     

    Programme Co-ordinator

    Dr. Hillary Nyang'anga

    Email - hillery@uonbi.ac.ke

    Telephone:  020 - 4916019

    Contacts of Support persons

    Agripina singa - asinga@uonbi.ac.ke

    Emmanuel Guantai - guantai@uonbi.ac.ke

    Dorcas Nduati - dnduati@uonbi.ac.ke

     

    Notable Alumni

    Dr. Henry Mwololo - National Drought Management Authority (NDMA)

    Dr. Amos Wawire - Karatina University

     

    SCHEDULE OF INTAKE

    Students are admitted once every year usually in September with the exception of variations that may be caused by unforeseen circumstances. Applications are, however, received all year round and are processed for yearly admission.

    The MSc in AICM shall be offered under two modules; full-time, part-time and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) for students who cannot attend regular university programme. The MSc Programme consists of two options with a total of 20 course units. For the thesis option, there are 10 core, 2 electives and 8 course units equivalent of thesis. For the research dissertation, there are 10 core, 2 electives, 4 specialization and 4 course units equivalent of dissertation. Each course unit is equivalent to 45 hours and the semester is 15 weeks.

    The MSc full-time and part-time programme

    The programme will take a minimum duration of four semesters and a maximum duration of 12 semesters. A student is required to do a minimum of 2 course units and a maximum of 5 course units per semester. The programme includes two sets of remedial coursework because of the wide background of candidates: one for non-ICT and the other for non-agriculture candidates.

    1. There are five options of specialization for the non-thesis (research dissertation) option students, namely, Agricultural Knowledge Management, Agricultural Communication Management, Records and Archives Management, Web Resources Management, and Scholarly Publishing.
    2. Thesis or non-thesis (research dissertation) options will be offered. Students who lack agricultural or ICT background shall be required to take remedial courses. The minimum number of remedial courses to be taken by each student is 2 and the maximum is 4 courses.
    3. Students are expected to enroll for remedial courses before the main units in the MSc in AICM programme. They can also enroll for the remedial courses concurrently with the MSc course units depending on regulations and practices of the university.
    4. The first year is devoted to course work. The second year is devoted to both coursework and thesis or research dissertation.

    The MSc through ODL

    The course structure and requirement for MSc through ODL remain the same as under full-time/part-time. However, the mode of delivery is as follows:

    1. Use of various media and largely home based
    2. Other modes of delivery:-

      a) Written self instructional study modules issued at the registration time

      • Study books
      • Relevant literature
      • Interactive devices and self tests
      • Booklet and/ or pamphlets

    b) Face to face introductory Tutorial

    c) Mediated technical learning materials

    • Audio cassettes
    • E-learning materials
    • Video clips

    d) Limited face to face sessions to provide overview of the course at commencement of semester, mid semester and revision period before examinations.

    e) Support study centres at the University of Nairobi

    • Access to information through computers at School of Computing and Informatics, Agricultural Economics, Computer Laboratory, Biometry Laboratory at CAVS and other centres such as the Library
    • Access to information through school of Journalism
    • Use of libraries at the University of Nairobi and agricultural research institutions.

    f) Orientation (immediately after registration):

    • Orientation in ODL delivery
    • Study, reading and computer skills
    • Time management and techniques in handling assignments
    • Mentorship, Wo-mentoring, guidance and counseling
    • Emphasis is on satellite centres that serve as a link between the university and the student in the following manner:
      • Registration
      • Collecting reading materials
      • Collecting results and programmes
      • Examination information
      • Posting timetable
      • Holding meetings

    The common regulations for the Masters degrees in all faculties of the University of Nairobi shall apply. The following shall be eligible for admission into the Master of Science in AICM programme:

    1. Holders of at least upper second class honours degree or equivalent in any discipline from a university recognized by senate.

    2. Holders of at least lower second class honours degree or equivalent in any discipline from a university recognized by senate with at least two years relevant experience.

    3. Holders of pass degree and Postgraduate diploma or equivalent in any discipline from a university recognized by senate.

    4. Holders of pass degree with five years relevant experience.\

     

    Apply here: https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/

    Career Prospects/Opportunities

    • Science journalism
    • ⁠Science communication
    • Agricultural knowledge management
    • ⁠Agricultural information systems analysis and design
    • ⁠Agricultural computing and informatics
    • ⁠Learning experts
    • ⁠Documentation Experts
    • ⁠Development communication
    • Library science

    Attachment Opportunities

    • ILRI - Internation Livestock Research Institute
    • KTDA - Kenya Tea Development Agency
    • WFP - World Food Programme
    • GIZ - German Development Cooperation
    • FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization
    • IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development
    MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT - AAE62
       Year I   Year 2   Totals 
    TUITION                   384,000.00              384,000.00                768,000.00
    EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                     10,000.00                               -                     10,000.00
    ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                        7,000.00                  7,000.00                   14,000.00
    THESIS EXAMINATION                                     -                  30,000.00                   30,000.00
    REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                        4,500.00                  4,500.00                     9,000.00
    ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                        1,000.00                  1,000.00                     2,000.00
    CAUTION - (ONCE)                        5,000.00                               -                       5,000.00
    MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                        6,500.00                  6,500.00                   13,000.00
    LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                        5,000.00                  5,000.00                   10,000.00
    ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                        2,000.00                  2,000.00                     4,000.00
    STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                        1,000.00                  1,000.00                     2,000.00
    Grand totals       426,000.00   441,000.00     867,000.00

     

    Exam Regulations

    6.0 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS
    6.1. Written examinations
    6.1.1 Each course shall be examined by a written paper lasting three hours at the end of each semester in which the course is given.
    6.1.2 The coursework assessment shall account for 30% and written examinations for 70% of the final mark.
    6.1.3 The pass mark for each course shall be 50 %.
    6.1.4 The grading of the courses shall be as follows:

    A = 70% and above;
    B = 60 – 69%;
    C = 50 -59%;
    D = 0 – 49% (fail)

    6.1.5 A candidate who fails in any paper may, on the recommendation of the Board of
    Examiners and approval by the Senate be allowed to take up to two supplementaries in
    failed papers after paying the appropriate fees.

     6.1.6 A candidate who fails in the second supplementary or fails to complete the programme in the prescribed maximum duration of 8 semesters shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate, be discontinued.
    6.1.7 The mark for a supplementary paper shall be recorded as 50% in the candidate’s
    academic record.
    6.2. Thesis examination
    6.2.1 Each student shall present a seminar on the thesis research proposal.
    6.2.2 Each candidate shall submit for examination a thesis, with the approval of the academic supervisors, at the end of the final semester. The thesis shall be examined in accordance with the common regulations of the University of Nairobi.
    6.2.3 A candidate who fails in the thesis examination may on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of examiners be allowed to resubmit the thesis within six months up to a maximum of two times.
    6.2.4 A candidate who fails after the second resubmission or fails to complete the course in the prescribed period shall, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
    7.0 AWARD OF DEGREE
    Candidates who satisfy the examiners in all written and thesis examinations shall be awarded a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Information and Communication Management.