Bachelor of Science in Dryland Natural Resources Management

It is estimated that the population of Sub-Saharan Africa, which constitutes over 85% of the continent, has increased from 210 million in 1960 to almost 800 million in 2009. The increase in population has a significant impact on our natural resources and currently the Sub-Saharan Africa has a massive problem in food security, mediated by unsustainable land uses, unpredictable extreme weather conditions and strict market and trade conditions. Africa is basically a rural society dependent on agriculture and pastoralism.

The increased population pressure on natural resources has led to forest recession, soil erosion, desertification, water catchments degradation, poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. There is no greater long-term need in our continent today than the conservation, restoration, management and utilization of the vast drylands that cover more than 85% of Africa’s land mass. Agriculture is a key-contributing factor to Africa's economy and it is the key to social and economic prosperity.

The University’s mission in introducing this programme into its curriculum is to generate capable and creative graduates desiring to achieve a better quality of life, develop themselves and their societies through management of the available vast dryland natural resources. Nowhere in Kenya is there a first degree designed to produce graduates with a holistic view of how to conserve the country’s vast assets - the dryland natural resources. Emphasis is placed on the ecological approach relative to conservation and management. This will increase opportunities for the employment of graduates in areas such as range management, wildlife, apiculture, aquaculture, forest management, soil conservation; resource use planning, wetland management, environmental monitoring, impact studies, natural resource development, conservation information systems, regulatory activities and education that are available in public and private sectors.

Admission to the Undergraduate Program

Applicants for the Bachelor of Science in Dryland Natural Resource Management degree program must meet all of Africa Nazarene University entrance requirements as specified in the University’s academic regulation.  In addition, they should have a pass grade of C+ in Biology or Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences, and C in Chemistry and Mathematics for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E) or its equivalent.  Preference will be given to students with a C+ pass in Agriculture or Economics at K.C.S.E. level. Admission may be granted to a student with a Diploma in Agriculture, Range Management, Animal Husbandry, Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Management, Forestry and other related fields from recognized institutions, who have passed with minimum Credit or their equivalent.

Applicants outside Kenya who have not taken the above examinations must produce to the admissions committee an acceptable documentary evidence of having passed an examination of equivalent standard Education.  The evidence must bear the signature of the Authority in the country of origin.