Overview
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department of Agricultural Economics originated in 1970 when the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Agriculture were established. Its distinct character for many years was a commitment to provide excellent formal training in Agricultural Economics at the MSc degree level. In 1999/2000 academic year, the department introduced new undergraduate degree programmes in BSc Agribusiness Management, BSc Agricultural Education and Extension. The programs rolled out the first undergraduate graduates in 2003/2004. In 2004/2005 academic year MSc in Agricultural and Applied Economics was launched in the department. This is a regional program under the name CMAAE offered in 16 universities with a third semester taken at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. CMAAE first cohort enrolled in 2005/2006. In 2008/2009, another regional (ASARECA) MSc programme in Agricultural Information and Communication Management (AICM) was rolled out in the department with a distinct focus on the enhancement of skills in Agricultural Information. The first cohort in MSc-AICM enrolled in 2008/2009. In 2011/2012 BSc Agricultural Extension/Education and MSc-AICM were put in ODEL mode of delivery and progress is underway to put all the programmes under e-learning. PhD by research is offered in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Information and Communication Management. In summary, the following degree programmes exist in the department:
INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE
The programme Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Information and Communication Management (AICM) has been designed in recognition of the role agricultural information and communication plays in the growth and development of agricultural sector in Kenya. Sustenance of growth in this sector is crucial due to its critical contribution to economic growth, food security and poverty reduction. Given an increasingly liberalized market economy, the desirable characteristics of agricultural information and communication approaches and methods applied by extension service providers must set a stage for what would be acceptable best practices in agricultural information and communication service delivery.
In relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the programme will seek at promoting enhanced incomes and strong institutions which are necessary for the improvement of the agricultural economy. Proper functioning of agricultural institutions would lead to achievement of food security and thus strengthen the social pillar of Kenya’s Vision 2030 through increased adoption of technologies and innovations that are necessary for the improvement of agriculture and related sectors. Through capacity building delivered through this course, stakeholders in the agriculture sector are expected adopt the prescribed strategies in agricultural information and communication and provide the necessary support to enhance a sustainable agricultural industry for food security and economic growth.
The doctoral programme, which will be implemented by Coursework, Examination and Thesis, is also in line with Kenya Agricultural Sector Development Program’s aim of transforming Kenya’s agriculture into an innovative and commercially oriented industry. The programme will target graduates from a variety of backgrounds and specializations including agriculture and related sciences, information and communication sciences and information technology. It will also provide for admission of mid-career candidates with field experience in their relevant areas of specialization. The main focus of the programme, therefore, is to train and build a critical mass of agricultural information and communication service professional providers to spearhead collaboration, research activities and hands-on experiences with practitioners in the agricultural industry.
The objectives of the programme are to:
- Equip students with skills for critical evaluation of different agricultural information and communication strategies, methods, tools and approaches and their applications.
- Train students on effective use of appropriate ICT-based information communication management tools in agricultural knowledge transfer.
- Equip students with knowledge and skills to identify barriers to positive change and critical analysis of curriculum development in agricultural information, communication management and policy.
- Equip learners with advanced skill on design and implementation of appropriate research in agricultural information communication.
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.
MODE OF DELIVERY
Course work for the PhD programme may be delivered through face - to - face session or through Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL).
- Face – to - Face Mode
- There will be full residential sessions for face-to-face teaching in a semester of 15 weeks.
- Subject to staff-student schedules and space availability in the University, the face-to-face learning may be conducted during evenings and weekends in a semester of 15 weeks.
- The course shall be conducted through lectures, discussion groups, seminars, guided field visits and industry tours, case studies and assignments.
Open, Distance and E-Learning (ODeL) Mode
ODeL mode is a promising method of programme delivery whose feasibility will be utilized in the PhD course work and will involve media delivery as follows:
- Students will engage in self –study using developed contents to learners, learner support services such as multi-media approaches and limited face to face delivery sessions for course introduction, revision period and before final examinations.
- The programme shall run for a minimum of six semester each of 15 weeks and a maximum of 15 semester from the date of registration.
- Written self-instruction study modules issued after payment of semester fees will consist of:
a) Course study materials.
b) Relevant references.
c) Interactive devices and self-tests.
d) Access to information through computers and the e-learning platform.
e) Library services.
- Students will be introduced to:
a) ODeL delivery.
b) Self-study, library services and computers skills.
c) Time management, handling assignments and student/lecturer communication
d) Visits, office hours, collection of study materials, receipt of results, timetables and University scheduled activities.
Admission Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The common regulations for admission requirements for Doctor of Philosophy degree in the University of Nairobi shall be applicable;
The following shall be eligible for admission into the Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Extension Information and Communication Management:
Either;
- A holder of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in a relevant field in agricultural and related sciences at the University of Nairobi,
OR
- A holder of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree or equivalent academic qualifications from another institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate as of comparable status.
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
Fees and Funding
| DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT AAE819 | ||||
| Year I | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | |
| TUITION | 432,000.00 | 432,000.00 | 432,000.00 | 1,296,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 21,000.00 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | - | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 4,500.00 | 4,500.00 | 4,500.00 | 13,500.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000.00 | - | - | 5,000.00 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 19,500.00 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 6,000.00 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 15,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | - | - | - | - |
| Grand totals | 464,000.00 | 459,000.00 | 509,000.00 | 1,432,000.00 |
The common regulations governing examinations for PhD degree in the University of Nairobi shall apply.
Written Examinations
1. All the course units taken shall be examined in the semester in which they are offered.
2 Each course unit shall be assessed by written examinations, continuous assessment comprising tests, term papers, practical assignments and of semester examinations.
3 For each course unit, the written examination shall be of three hours duration.
4 The final examination shall account for fifty per cent (50%) of the marks in each course while continuous assessments shall account for the remaining 50%
5 The pass mark for each course unit shall be fifty percent (50%). The following grading shall be followed:
Class Mark Remark
A 70-100 Pass
B 60-69 Pass
C 50-59 Pass
F Below 50 Fail
6 Each candidate shall be required to pass the examinations for all units taken before proceeding to write the research thesis
7 A candidate, who fails to satisfy examiners in any course unit, may be allowed to sit a maximum of two supplementary examinations.
8 A pass mark obtained by sitting a supplementary examination shall be recorded as 50%
9 Any candidate who fails in up to two course units shall be allowed to sit for supplementary examination once.
10 Any candidate who fails in a supplementary examination or in more than two course units or fails to complete the course within the prescribed period shall be discontinued on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate.
Thesis Examination Regulations
1 A candidate shall be allowed to present for approval a thesis research proposal in a Departmental seminar only after successfully completing coursework of the six course units in the programme.
2 A candidate shall be required to present his/her research work to a Departmental
Seminar
3 A minimum of two supervisors (at least one from the department) shall be appointed for the candidate by the Department of Agricultural Economics from the academic members of staff.
4 A candidate shall be required to write a progress report to the chairperson of the Department and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture for onward transmission to the Board of postgraduate studies.
5 At least three months before a thesis is submitted, a candidate shall give notice in writing and an abstract to the director of the Board of Postgraduate Studies through the supervisor, Chairman of the Department and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture
6 The length of the Thesis shall not be less than 50,000 words.
7 The candidate must ensure that he/she complies with the University of Nairobi policy on plagiarism (Available at the University of Nairobi website www.uonbi.ac.ke).
8 The format of the thesis and the examination of the candidate shall be as prescribed in the common regulation for the Doctorate Degree of the University of Nairobi, 2015
9 A candidate who fails in the thesis shall be allowed to re-submit in a period of one year
10 A candidate who fails in the thesis after the re-submission shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate be discontinued.