Stakeholder Engagement for Proposed Bachelor of Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship Degree Program
By Salome Asena, Prof. Timothy Okech, Prof. Francis Wambalaba and Prof. Paul Wachana
The United States International University-Africa is in the process of introducing Bachelor of Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship and desires to design a unique program tailored to the market needs. The Bachelor of Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship degree program combines knowledge of business management and agricultural systems value chains with an understanding of how the market economy works.
The degree program will combine economics and business courses in the context of the Agricultural value chain to produce graduates in agribusiness management and entrepreneurship who will contribute to the economic development process by applying their skills in agriculture-based enterprises and agro-based industries in Kenya and the world over.
On Friday February 24, 2023, the Chandaria School of Business hosted a hybrid agribusiness stakeholder engagement for the proposed Bachelor of Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship degree program. In attendance were select agribusiness entrepreneurs, faculty, potential employers, current students, GAME center Alumni, industry experts, among others who were invited to critique and guide the development of the program.
In his welcome remarks, the Dean, Chandaria School of Business, Prof. Timothy Okech welcomed participants and explained the process that the proposal development has gone through since conceptualization. The Dean also highlighted the importance of the course to all entrepreneurs in the agricultural value chain and its anticipated contribution towards economic growth and development globally, regionally and nationally.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs (DVC-ASA), Prof. Munyae Mulinge informed the guests that USIU-Africa has all the necessary resources to promote and teach the program including experienced faculty, physical resources, as well as technological resources. It is anticipated that the Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship degree program will enable students to develop Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge (ASK) that will enable them to become entrepreneurs as well as managers in the agribusiness sector. Finally, Prof. Mulinge stated that, “The program has been developed in response to policy alignments needs aimed at fulfilling SDG 1 and 2 and that the program is also anchored on vision 2030 and other global goals like the Africa agenda 2063 and therefore very timely.”
Regarding the mode of delivery of the program, the program leader Dr. Wachana, pointed out that the proposed program would be delivered through a blended approach and that there will be lectures, case studies, guest speakers and experiential learning. The program will have four specializations namely Project Management and Evaluation in Agribusiness, Research and Consultancy in Agribusiness, Agribusiness Education and Extension, and Agribusiness Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The associate team lead, Prof. Wambalaba, emphasized that the proposed program has specific desired unique outcomes which he elaborated on. He noted that learners will be expected to use case studies in first year and write an annual paper to share ideas about what they know. In year 2, students will write a case study by engaging with stakeholders in the sector and write an annual paper based on the case study findings with stakeholder engagement. In year 3, students will contribute ideas to the industry through internship and they will write an annual paper based on their internship experience. In year 4, the learners will come up with a venture concept or a venture enterprise that they can pursue and be mentored on that venture.
