Master of Science in Agricultural Information and Communication Management

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