On 26th February 2021, the Faculty of Agriculture (FOA) team led by the Dean, Prof. Moses Nyangito and the Chair of the Visibility and Outreach Committee, Prof Jane Ambuko hosted a virtual interaction with the Form 4 students of Naivasha Girls High School (Naivasha GHS). The meeting with Naivasha GHS was made possible through the connection to Prof. Nyangito, who is the Chair of the School’s Board. In attendance from the FOA was Dr. Oscar Koech (LARMAT), Dr. Judith Mbau (LARMAT), Ms. Diana Githu (a former student from LARMAT who is pursuing her PhD Arizona University, USA) and Joan Gichuru (Assistant Registrar, FOA). The students were accompanied by their Principal, Ms Catherine Wandetto and other teachers
The meeting started with a presentation from the Dean providing an overview about the University of Nairobi (UoN) and the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (CAVS). The quick facts highlighted include UON’s academic leadership in Kenya/region; the strength of academic staff; student numbers; academic programs; research portfolio; alumni (including public figures) etc. The presentation highlighted the academic programs offered in the FOA at the BSc level and the minimum requirements to join them. The Dean unpacked the importance of Agriculture and subsequently the Agriculture-based degree programs for Food and Nutrition Security and the broader goal of Agriculture-driven economic development as anchored in the Big 4 agenda and Kenya’s Vision 2030 Blueprint. The presentation show-cased some of the nationally recognized luminaries who are graduates of the FOA including Ms Jane Karuku (EABL Managing Director); Ms Silvia Mulinge (Chief Customer Officer at Safaricom); Prof. Margaret Hutchinson (Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi); and Prof. Mary Abukutsa (Deputy Vice Chancellor, JKUAT). The opportunities for employment of FOA graduates in various National and International Organizations were also highlighted.
Two short video clips were also presented featuring community engagement by Dr. Koech https://youtu.be/xz8S2EuaOMQ and Prof. Ambuko https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8V9ThizXsY The aim of these presentations was to show the students that besides the diverse job opportunities, training in Agriculture presented the graduates with excellent opportunities to engage with communities and positively impact their lives.
After the overarching presentation by the Dean, Prof. Ambuko, Dr. Koech and Dr. Mbau shared their experiences as students and now members of the FOA. Ms. Githu also shared her own experience as a student at UON and in her current institution. She encouraged the students to work hard in order to tap into the vast opportunities to advance their careers. All the presenters reiterated the Dean’s message regarding the critical role of Agriculture in Kenya’s Economic Development & Food Security and the vast opportunities available for FOA graduates. They encouraged the students to select UON and specifically the Agriculture-Based programs so that they can join the critical mass needed to ensure Food and Nutrition Security in Kenya and globally.
At the end of the presentations by the FoA, Ms Wandetto (the Principal, Naivasha GHS) expressed her gratitude on behalf of the school for the enlightening session. Some student representatives also thanked the Dean and the FOA staff for finding time to enlighten them about the programs at the UON and FOA and the opportunities therein.
