Overview
The BSc. Dryland Sustainability Science & Technology aims at training holistic graduates equipped with an agroecology mindset, knowledge and excellent 21st Century skill sets for cocreation of technological solutions to effectively manage and conserve dryland resources locally and globally.
At the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the environmental, agroecological, socio-cultural, and economic concepts and contexts of dryland ecosystems and their challenges, and potential solutions.
- Demonstrate competency for ideation and development of innovations to sustainably manage and utilise dryland resources.
- 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.
- Breakdown information dissemination and technology co-creation with communities in promoting sustainable dryland resource management.
- Adapt e-commerce and entrepreneurial skills to setup, manage and promote the digital commercialization of business enterprises in the drylands.
- Apply the principles of agroecology, sustainability science and technology to solve dryland ecosystems and livelihood challenges and foster convergence.
.
Structure
- The programme shall take four (4) academic years of eight (8) semesters.
- An academic year shall constitute two (2) semesters.
- The Bachelor of science in DSST shall be offered by course work, Field Practice, and innovations (equivalent to 6 course units) with a project
- Seven (7) course units shall be offered per academic semester except for semester one of year one (1) which shall have eight course units.
- A course unit shall be defined as 45 instructional hours comprising lectures, tutorials, assignments, and practical work.
Admission Requirements
- Holders of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a mean grade
of C+ or equivalent with passes at C plain or above in Biology or Biological
Sciences and any one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Physical
Sciences, Mathematics, Agriculture or Geography. - Holders of KCSE mean Grade of C- or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma
in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate. - Holders of ‘O’ level Division II or equivalent with subjects indicated above; plus,
a Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate. - Holders of ‘A’ level with two Principal Passes or equivalent in Biology and any one
of the following subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Geography, or Mathematics. - Holders of KCSE mean Grade of C plain or equivalent plus a Diploma in Biological
Sciences or related sciences from an institution recognized by the Senate. - Holders of a higher national Diploma in Biological Sciences or related sciences
from an institution recognized by the Senate. - Holders of a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences or related sciences
from an institution recognized by the Senate. - Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by the Senate.
Careers
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.
Fees and Funding
Year I
|
Year 1 – (15 Units) |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Yearly Total |
|
1. Tuition |
162,000.00 |
162,000.00 |
324,000.00 |
|
2. ICT Services - (Per Year) |
7,000.00 |
- |
7,000.00 |
|
3. Caution - (Once) |
5,000.00 |
|
5,000.00 |
|
4. Examination (Per Unit @1000) |
7,000.00 |
8,000.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
5. Registration (Per Semester@2250) |
2,250.00 |
2,250.00 |
4,500.00 |
|
6. ID Card (Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
7. Student Organization (Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
8. Medical Fee (Per Year) |
6,500.00 |
- |
6,500.00 |
|
9. Activity-(Per Year) |
2,000.00 |
- |
2,000.00 |
|
10. Library (Per Year) |
4,000.00 |
|
4,000.00 |
|
Total |
197,750.00 |
172,250.00 |
370,000.00 |
Year II
|
Year 2 – (16 Units) |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Yearly Total |
|
1. Tuition |
162,000.00 |
162,000.00 |
324,000.00 |
|
2. ICT Services - (Per Year) |
7,000.00 |
- |
7,000.00 |
|
3. Examination (Per Unit @1000) |
8,000.00 |
8,000.00 |
16,000.00 |
|
4. Registration (Per Semester@2250) |
2,250.00 |
2,250.00 |
4,500.00 |
|
5. Student Organization (Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
6. ID Card ( Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
7. Medical Fee (Per Year) |
6,500.00 |
- |
6,500.00 |
|
8. Activity-(Per Year) |
2,000.00 |
- |
2,000.00 |
|
9. Library (Per Year) |
4,000.00 |
- |
4,000.00 |
|
Total |
193,750.00 |
172,250.00 |
366,000.00 |
Year III
|
Year 3 – (14 Units) |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Yearly Total |
|
1. Tuition |
162,000.00 |
162,000.00 |
324,000.00 |
|
2. ICT Services - (Per Year) |
7,000.00 |
- |
7,000.00 |
|
3. Examination (Per Unit @1000) |
7,000.00 |
7,000.00 |
14,000.00 |
|
4. Registration (Per Semester@2250) |
2,250.00 |
2,250.00 |
4,500.00 |
|
5. ID Card (Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
6. Student Organization (Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
7. Medical Fee (Per Year) |
6,500.00 |
- |
6,500.00 |
|
8. Activity-(Per Year) |
2,000.00 |
- |
2,000.00 |
|
9. Library (Per Year) |
4,000.00 |
- |
4,000.00 |
|
Total |
192,750.00 |
171,250.00 |
364,000.00 |
Year IV
|
Year 4 – (15 Units) |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Yearly Total |
|
1. Tuition |
162,000.00 |
162,000.00 |
324,000.00 |
|
2. ICT Services - (Per Year) |
7,000.00 |
- |
7,000.00 |
|
3. Examination (Per Unit @1000) |
7,000.00 |
8,000.00 |
15,000.00 |
|
4. Registration (Per Semester@2250) |
2,250.00 |
2,250.00 |
4,500.00 |
|
5. ID Card (Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
6. Student Organization (Per Year) |
1,000.00 |
- |
1,000.00 |
|
7. Medical Fee (Per Year) |
6,500.00 |
- |
6,500.00 |
|
8. Activity-(Per Year) |
2,000.00 |
- |
2,000.00 |
|
9. Library (Per Year) |
4,000.00 |
- |
4,000.00 |
|
Total |
192,750.00 |
172,250.00 |
365,000.00 |
Total Fee for the four years = KES 1,465,000
Philosophy
Advances in various aspects of sustainability science and community development practices in recent years have evolved a general framework for managing and governing dryland
ecosystems. The development paradigm in drylands centres on human livelihoods and their interdependence with the ecosystem. Gaining insights into these highly interactive human environment systems and connecting knowledge to social actions is imperative in deriving and optimizing benefits from such interactions.
This is a vital step towards achieving sustainable and climate-resilient dryland ecosystems and livelihoods, a critical element in the long-term stability of dryland ecosystems. This paradigm shift underlies the philosophy of the programme to link training, research, and policy to effectively contribute to sustainable development and enhance livelihoods in drylands.
The University of Nairobi, therefore, has a key role in this new approach by being proactive in connecting to and inspiring the dryland communities, through training, research, innovation
and building capacity to generate relevant and timely technical interventions, and providing leadership and stewardship for sustainable dryland resource management. This degree
programme will contribute to the goal of improving the livelihoods of communities in drylands through sustainable dryland resource management supported by a focused and well-grounded undergraduate knowledge and skills development, research and technology co-creation and transfer, coupled with ecosystem and community-based interventions.
Rationale
Many drylands in developing countries have remained under-developed and undervalued yet can sustain higher levels of investment to support enhanced productivity and better incomes. Training personnel with knowledge and skills to harness the resources provided by the drylands and promotion of sustainable development is urgent. The Department through the DSST programme will be at the forefront in bridging the ever-widening human resource gap through training at undergraduate level, with a special focus on ASALs Counties.
In the context of Kenyan drylands, there is a felt need to focus interventions on Research for Development (R4D) that enhances sustainable livelihood assets. At continental and regional levels, the programme is responsive to the objectives of the AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism, regional Rangeland Management Strategic Framework. Wide consultations with relevant stakeholders pointed to the challenge of sustainable dryland resource management and the need for capacity building in human resources as a strategic tool for sustainable development of drylands.
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
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.
Dr. Judith Mbau
jmbau@uonbi.ac.ke
or
Contact Chairman, LARMAT at: larmat@uonbi.ac.ke
Phone: 020 491 6004