Overview
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Agricultural Economics proposes to start a degree of B.Sc. (Agribusiness Management), on the basis that Agribusinesses have provided the growing centre of transformation process in both developed and the developing nations. The effective and efficient organization of Agribusinesses is a major pre-requisite of agricultural and economic development. Therefore, the programme offers a wide exposure to problems affecting the agribusiness industry through real life case studies. It also exposes its students to the most recent advances in information technology and management. The programme is thus well grounded to provide the agro-industry with personnel who will need little practical training on the job to be able to perform well. Agribusinesses play a vital role in paving the smooth road to industrialisation. In a liberalized environment, private sector development is important and agribusiness play an essential role. The course is planned for both regular Government sponsored students and self sponsored students. The course will offer the flexibility of full-time as well as part-time teaching.
Objectives:
To help clients make the best possible use of resources and services already available to them by:
(i) Changing their knowledge base so as to increase allocative efficiency in resource use.
(ii) Changing their outlook and attitudes through development of skills and capacity for work.
(iii) Providing them with training and know-how for problem identification, solution and decision making.
1.1 Background
The department of agricultural economics offers a Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) Agribusiness Management Degree in recognition of the fact that agribusiness continue to provide the growing centre of transformation process in both developed and the developing nations. The effective and efficient organization of agribusiness is a major pre-requisite of agricultural and economic development. The Bsc. Agribusiness Management program is therefore designed to provide exposure to a wide range of domestic, regional and international social, economic and environmental problems affecting the agribusiness industry in Kenya. The program especially uses real life case studies as a means of exposing students to such problems. It also exposes students to the most recent advances in information technology and management and allows students to tailor the courses taken to their needs by selecting from the set of optional basic and advanced courses. The program is thus designed to provide Kenyan agro-industry with personnel it needs to be regionally and globally competitive. Competitive agribusinesses play a vital role in the industrialization process and are therefore engines of agriculture and economic development. The course is designed for both regular government-sponsored and self-sponsored students. It offers the flexibility of full-time and part-time teaching.
1.2 Philosophy of the Programme
Agriculture continue to be one of the key drivers of economic development in many third world nations. Adam Smith, (1776-1778) in his book the “Wealth of Nations”, argues that for nations or economies to take-off to the next level of economic development and prosperity, they must first fulfill the demands of their primary sector which is agriculture. To him was a notion that it will be difficult for economies to industrialize if they will first not sustain their agricultural sector. Whether Smith was right or wrong, the fact remains that the agricultural sector need not be ignored in economic development and that nations must come up with innovative and creative ways and means of looking at the sector as a business as opposed to traditional view of just farming for subsistence. Therefore, considering the fact that agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economic development, it will be naïve for us in the field of agriculture to ignore the paradigm shift to agribusiness from traditional agricultural practices in a bid to improve household livelihoods and to also drive the economy to the next frontier. Effective and efficient organization and management of agribusinesses is therefore important in realizing rapid economic progress. Because of this background, universities have a key role in this new paradigm which will need them to be proactive within national innovation systems to generate relevant and timely interventions for improving livelihoods. Thus the degree programme in Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management will contribute to the goal of improving the livelihoods of communities across the country and in the region through sustainable agribusiness management policies, principles and practices supported by focused research, undergraduate and postgraduate training, community and industry based interventions. The programme is geared towards inspiring learners to provide leadership and stewardship in addition to giving hope, faith and encouragement to the societies that they can excel in whatever they choose to do with passion, honest, moral responsibility and strong sense of patriotism in agribusiness. The broad goal of this curriculum is to produce graduates in Bsc. Agribusiness Management who will contribute to economic development process by applying the knowledge, skills, experience and attributes learned. The current curriculum has been revised in response to the felt needs of both internal and external stakeholders, respectively i.e. the students, agricultural sector and the industry in Kenya and across borders. Some of the recent development concerns and trends that have been considered in the revision of the syllabus include globalization, industrialization, entrepreneurship (value addition and private sector development), sustainable development and mainstreaming gender and environmental issues in higher education.
1.3 Rationale of the Programme
1.3.1 Needs Assessment/Market Survey/Situation Analysis
To improve livelihood of the society, there is need to build knowledge and understanding of agribusiness and entrepreneurial knowledge management. There is need for manpower with managerial skills on agribusiness enterprises. Revision of this curriculum aims at training and equipping agribusiness professionals with appropriate scientific knowledge and skills required to implement sustainable business practices to meet societal demands in addition to continuing to play a significant role in the national, regional and global economy. The program will empower the learners meet emerging socio-economic and business-environmental challenges nationally and regionally. The revised course content also addresses issues in internationally and nationally recognized agreements. The revised curriculum will therefore, benefit managers of agribusiness firms in Kenya especially those who have hosted past students during the industrial attachment. At the end of students' industrial attachment, University staff members assessing the students have collected information on how best to improve the program through formal discussions with these managers.
Programme Co-ordinator
Prof. David Jakinda
Email - david.jakinda@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
Structure
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 teaching of the degree shall extend over not more than an equivalent of four years, each year consisting of two teaching semesters.
- Part-time students shall be allowed to take not less than 50% of the courses prescribed for the year.
- Each student shall be required to take a relevant Agribusiness Field Attachment in the 2nd semester of the third year of study and before entering the fourth year of study.
MODE OF DELIVERY OF THE PROGRAMME
The program will be offered under two modules: full-time (face-to-face) and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) (Module III) for students who cannot attend regular university programs. Module II students will be integrated in Module I.
2.1. Face-Face Mode
- The teaching period for the degree program shall extend over not less than four academic years or their equivalents. Each academic year shall consist of two semesters of thirteen (13) teaching weeks and two 2) weeks of examination;
- A candidate enrolled for the degree shall satisfactorily complete the program in a period of not more than twice the minimum period for which he/she was registered for the degree;
- A candidate enrolled for BSc. Agribusiness Management shall participate in and complete coursework and practical assignments that may apply to the program;
- Admission to the examination at the end of the semester shall be based on satisfactory completion of such requirements and in most cases two-thirds of the class attendance;
- Each student shall be required to undertake three (3) months of field attachment after completion of the second semester of the third year of study.
2.2. Open Distance Learning and e-Learning (ODeL)
The delivery mode of this program will apply open and distance education learning modes involving:
- Written self-instructional study modules at the registration time including study course materials like booklets, relevant literature to the course, interactive devices and self-tests
- Interactive devices and self-tests: face to face introductory tutorial; mediated technical learning materials; audio cassettes; e-learning materials; video clips
- Limited face-to-face sessions to provide an overview of the course at the commencement of semester, mid semester and revision period before examinations.
- Support study centers at the University of Nairobi:
Access to information through computers at Biometry Laboratory at College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (CAVS) and other centers such as the Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library at the Main Campus and any other library at the University of Nairobi and Agricultural research institutions.
Orientation (immediately after registration):
- Orientation in ODeL delivery
- Study, reading and computer skills
- Time management and techniques in handling assignments
- Mentorship, 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 programs
- Examination information
- Posting timetable
- Holding meetings
- Home-based reading
The ODeL programme will run for a minimum of 8 semesters of 15 weeks each and a maximum of 16 semesters of 15 weeks each
Admission Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to satisfying the minimum University entrance requirements of mean grade of C+ , the candidates should also offer passes at C+ or above in Biology or Biological Sciences, Physics and Chemistry or Physical Sciences and Mathematics. In order to satisfy the cluster of four subjects for candidates offering Physical and Biological Sciences, the fourth subject may be selected from the following subjects:
- Geography
- Building Construction
- Home Science
- Power Mechanics
- Agriculture
- Electricity
- Wood work
- Drawing and Design
- Metal work
- Aviation Technology
Other Candidates (for self-sponsored students only):
Admission to the degree course may also be granted to the following candidates:
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Holder of KACE or Equivalent with minimum 2 Principal passes and at least a subsidiary pass; in mathematics. If Mathematics was not offered at KACE, then it should be offered at Ordinary Level with a minimum of a pass at credit or above.
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Holder of diploma from a recognized agricultural or veterinary college with passes at credit or distinction.
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Holder of a degree from a recognized University.
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Holder of a Higher National Diploma from a recognized institution.
Other Candidates
Admission to this degree course may also be granted to the following candidates
- Holders of O-Level Division II or equivalent plus a Diploma.
- Holders of O-Level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma.
- Holders of O-Level Division III or equivalent plus a Three Year Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution for admissions to Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management.
- Diploma from the University of Nairobi or other recognized institutions and an aggregate of C in KCSE Or equivalent;
- A-Level with minimum Two principal passes, one subsidiary or equivalent in relevant subjects;
- CPA II/CPS II/ CIPS or equivalent for Commerce and Arts and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE OR O-Level Division III.
- Holders of Primary- one (P1) certificate from a recognized post-secondary training institution;
- Higher National Diploma in relevant fields and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE or DIV III in KCE.
- Degree from a recognized university.
- Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by Senate.
Apply here: https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/
Careers
Career Prospects/Opportunities
Attachment Opportunities
Fees and Funding
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The conduct of examinations shall be governed by the following regulations:
6.1 No candidate shall be permitted to an examination unless he/she has satisfactorily attended the prescribed course of study.
6.2 For purposes of these regulations. Industrial attachment shall be deemed to be part of the fourth year of study.
6.3 All examination procedures shall be governed by the following:
(a) Each course shall be examined out of a total of 100%.
(b) The pass mark in each course examination shall be 40% and be graded as follows:
70 – 100% A
60 – 69% B
50 – 59% C
40 – 49% D
39% and below F
(c) Written examination in each course shall constitute 70% Coursework Assessment Tests (CATs) the remaining 30% of the total marks.
(d) The Industrial Attachment shall be examined by written report and oral presentation. The Industrial attachment score shall be graded as Pass (P) or fail (F) on 1 and shall not be used in the degree classification.
(e) The Special Research Project shall be examined by written report and oral examination.
(f) For purposes of regulations 6.3 (a) – (e) herein, all papers shall carry equal weight.
(g) A candidate who fails to attain the pass mark in seven or more papers in any year shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be discontinued.
(h) A candidate who fails to attain the pass mark in five to six papers may on the recommendation of the faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to repeat the year with the option, to repeat externally. Candidates who repeat the year externally shall be required to pay examination and any other fees that the University may deem applicable. Candidates who repeat the year shall sit for examinations in the failed subjects only.
(i) In any year, a candidate who fails to attain the PassMark in four papers or less may on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to sit Supplementary Examinations in the papers failed within a period of three months from the last date of the ordinary examination.
(j) A candidate who fails to attain a pass mark in a Supplementary examination shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to resit the supplementary examination ONCE ONLY as long as such examinations do not exceed eight in number during any one sitting.
(k) A candidate failing a resit Supplementary shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be discontinued from the degree course.
(l) Any Supplementary Examination shall be marked out of 100%, but the passing score shall be reduced to 40% only.
(m) For purposes of evaluation of all Supplementary examinations, regulations 6.4 (g) – (ii) shall apply.
(n) No candidate shall be permitted to repeat any year more than once for academic reasons only.
6.6 The final award of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Food Science and
Technology) shall:
(a) Be given to candidates who have completed and passed examinations in all the courses of study including Industrial Practice.
(b) Be based on the average score of all the examinations of the courses taken in the second, third and fourth year of study.
(c) Be classified into First Class Honours, Second Class Honours (Upper or Lower) Division, and Pass, provided that in order to qualify for an award of honours degree, a candidate shall not have repeated either the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study or have had resit Supplementary in an Examination from the same years.
6.7 In arriving at the decision as to the degree classification for each candidate, the Faculty Board of examiners shall have regard to the overall marks obtained by the candidate and shall apply the principle that an aggregate score of:
(a) 70% -100% merits First-class Honours.
(b) 60% - 69% merits the Second Class Honours (Upper Division).
(c) 50% - 59% merits the Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
(d) 40% - 49% merits a Pass.
(e) Below 40% merits a Fail.