Bachelor of Science in Dryland Sustainability Science and Technology

    Overview

    The Programme (DSST)
    The programme focus and paradigm shift is on sustainability of the drylands to ensure that drylands support current and future livelihoods through leveraging technology as an integral part and a driver of development in the 21st century and beyond. The underlying philosophy of the programme is to link training, research, and innovation to build capacity and generate relevant and timely technical interventions for sustainable dryland resource management.

    Goal of the Programme

    The BSc. Dryland Sustainability Science & Technology aims at training holistic graduates (with a clear view of the past, current, and future, and armed with 21st century skills, multidisciplinary capabilities) equipped with an agroecology mindset, knowledge and excellent 21st Century skill sets for co-creation of technological solutions to effectively manage and conserve dryland resources locally and globally.

    The DSST graduates (Sustainability scientists) will be equipped with knowledge, skills, valuable for sound understanding of technical, scientific, economic, and social options and trends necessary to provide practical, advisory, and specialized services in a wide range of fields including; dryland ecosystem interactions, food security, and sovereignty in socio-ecological systems and dryland environment systems. The DSST graduates will thus be agents of change and entrepreneurs in the transformation of the drylands of Kenya, Africa and globally. With potential employment opportunities in local and international Research institutions [e.g., CGIR]; development agencies [most of them working in the drylands]; academic institutions; national and county government departments, and the international arena, among others.

    Philosophy, Rationale

    Expected Learning Outcomes

    At the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:
    1. Describe the environmental, agroecological, socio-cultural, and economic concepts and contexts of dryland ecosystems and their challenges, and potential solutions.
    2. Demonstrate competency for ideation and development of innovations to sustainably manage and utilise dryland resources.
    3. Appraise scientific and technical knowledge on social actions that advance trajectories of natural resource management, agroecology-minded transitions and inform policies for resilient dryland ecosystems and livelihoods.
    4. Breakdown information dissemination and technology co-creation with communities in promoting sustainable dryland resource management.
    5. Adapt e-commerce and entrepreneurial skills to setup, manage and promote the digital commercialization of business enterprises in the drylands.
    6. Apply the principles of agroecology, sustainability science and technology to solve dryland ecosystems and livelihood challenges and foster convergence.

    Application Information

    Apply via  below link 

    https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/index.php/CourseApplication/viewdetailslogin?deg_code=ALR32

    Contact Chairman, Department of Land Resources  Management and agricultural Technology LARMAT at: larmat@uonbi.ac.ke  with copy to  Course leader Dr. Judith Mbau at:  jmbau@uonbi.ac.ke

    Mode of Delivery

    A multifaceted approach will be used in the delivery of the programme by a multidisciplinary team of lecturers with expertise in; land & water management; dryland ecologists; soil science; animal productionist; biodiveristy conservation; social economics.


    The mode of delivery include; Face-to-face, seminars/webinars, ODEL, and blended learning through Lectures, discovery learning, problem-based learning, experiential learning, group-based learning, independent studies, and e-learning.

    Contacts of support persons

    Dr. Judith Mbau

    jmbau@uonbi.ac.ke  

     or 

    Contact Chairman, LARMAT at: larmat@uonbi.ac.ke