Overview
To produce professionals equipped with knowledge and skills to sustainably manage the drylands for increased productivity, sustainable provision of ecosystem services, and benefit of the
communities.
Structure
- The programme shall take two (2) academic years of four (4) semesters.
- An academic year shall constitute two (2) semesters.
- The programme shall be offered by course work, end-of-semester assessment and thesis. The coursework shall not exceed one (1) year.
- A total of twelve (12) course units shall be undertaken and passed by all students.
- A course unit shall be defined as 45 instructional hours consisting of lectures, tutorials, assignments and practicals.
- The student shall carry out supervised research culminating in a Master’s Thesis.
- The thesis shall be equivalent to 8-course units
Admission Requirements
- The common regulations governing admission into a Master’s degree programme in the University of Nairobi shall apply.
- Holders of at least upper second-class honours BSc. degree or equivalent in natural and biological sciences, engineering and health sciences or any other related discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi.
- Holders of lower-second class honours degree or equivalent in any discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other university recognized by the University of Nairobi senate with additional relevant training or evidence of research or work experience.
- Holders of a pass in BSc degree in any of the degree programmes specified in 3.1.2) above with working experience of at least three years.
- Holders of postgraduate diplomas from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi. Such candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements for admission to a Bachelor’s degree.
- Students from non-English speaking countries will be required to have a proficiency certificate for the English language.
Careers
The programme responds to climate change and variability, land degradation and associated emerging needs and is aligned to address the regional needs in the quest to increase ecosystem resilience, food security and sustainable development in the drylands of the IGAD region and other drylands of Africa.
Fees and Funding
| MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DRYLAND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - ALR 62 | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | TOTALS |
| TUITION | 384,000.00 | 384,000.00 | 768,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 11,000.00 | - | 11,000.00 |
| 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)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 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 2,000.00 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 4,000.00 |
| Grand totals | 427,000.00 | 441,000.00 | 868,000.00 |
PHILOSOPHY
The combination of inadequate understanding of the dynamics of drylands and other ecosystems and local livelihood systems are to blame for the inappropriate policy actions, unabated dryland
degradation trends, impoverishment of communities living in the drylands, and their increased vulnerability to various shocks including climate change. The root cause of these problems is mainly linked to a lack of skilled manpower trained at the post-graduate level in dryland resource management in most African countries. The majority of the dryland resource managers in the region are not equipped with skills relevant to tackle the complex biophysical and socio-cultural
issues typical of the dryland ecosystems. Trained skilled manpower is expected to act as a catalyst for enhancing the productivity and human support capacity for dryland systems in the region.
The philosophy of this programme is, therefore, anchored on the urgent need to produce graduates who are highly trained to develop and apply appropriate technologies and innovations for sustainable management of dryland ecosystems; to conduct research and generate pertinent information to guide policy formulations; and to participate in development decisions at both local and national levels. The programme aims at building the foundation for leadership and stewardship in dryland ecosystems management.
RATIONALE
This curriculum is cognizant of the heterogeneity in the dryland ecosystems and therefore is tailored to equip the learners with knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable management of
other ecosystems besides the arid and semi-arid rangelands that dominate the drylands. The curriculum recognizes the role of higher education in unlocking the potential of drylands ecosystems. The programme aims at ensuring that education has an impact on the sustainability of drylands by producing experts who understand the unique needs of such complex ecosystems. The programme will provide for innovative approaches for enhancing the sustainability of drylands, as well as the livelihoods they support.
The graduates will be equipped with knowledge and skills on global issues including sustainable dryland resources management practices, climate change, biodiversity, biotechnology, environmental anagement and market access. In addition, the students will be taught research and communication skills to enable them to develop strategies that will enhance the growth of natural resource exploitation and management in drylands. The contents of the programme respond
to the emerging global and national issues in the vast tropical drylands.
https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/index.php/CourseApplication/viewdetailslogin?deg_code=ALR62
Face-to-face mode
The programme will adopt a face-to-face mode based on various techniques that include didactic lectures, practical, seminars, case-based learning and tutorials.
Open, distance and e- learning mode
- Use of various media that are largely home or office-based;
- Mediated technical learning materials including audio-visual and e-learning materials will be employed.
Blended learning mode
The blended learning mode of delivery will be through e-Learning that combines minimal face-to-face and online learning approaches.
Prof. Oliver Wasonga
oliverwasonga@uonbi.ac.ke
or
Chairman, LARMAT at: larmat@uonbi.ac.ke
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NOTABLE ALUMNI- FORMER MSC RANGE MANAGEMENT
- Dr. David Kimiti-Director Research and Impact · Grevy's Zebra Trust
- Dr. Wellington Ekaya-Head of Impact Capacity Development at Mastercard Foundation
- Dr. Bell Okello-Director and Principal Consultant, Director at ETC Consulting
-