Admission Requirements for School of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness

BSc. in Agricultural Economics

Students admitted directly from secondary school are required to meet the national higher education enrolment criteria of that year. After successfully completing first year common courses, students will join the program competitively based on their interest. Others like re-admission and advance standing shall be treated according to the academic rules and regulations of the Universities.

For Collaborative Masters in Agriculture and Applied Economics (CMAAE)

The admission of students to CMAAE programme is indicated in the curriculum and ready available for students at Haramaya University website (www.haramaya.edu.et). Applications are entertained from graduates in any field and professionals in mid-career, provided they satisfy prerequisites considered necessary to succeed in a rigorous Programme of study and research. Any missing prerequisites are expected to be acquired prior to entry through courses offered separately or jointly by the collaborating departments and other reputable institutions within and outside the region. During the admission process, priority is given to selecting competent candidates that can ensure achievement of the objective of the study program. There is some room of flexibility on admission requirements if justified.

BSc. in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management

For Collaborative Masters in Agriculture and Applied Economics (CMAAE)

MSc in Agricultural Economics

Candidates who apply for master’s degree in Agricultural Economics must have bachelor degree from accredited higher learning institutions in or outside the country. Eligible candidates will be required to take and pass an entrance examination (written and/or oral) to be considered for admission. Candidates with backgrounds from Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and value chain management can join without any compensatory course. Candidates from economics and other economics-related backgrounds should take compensatory and other relevant courses that will be decided by SGC.

MSc in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management (ABVM)

Candidates who apply for master’s degree in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management must have bachelor degree from accredited higher learning institutions in or outside the country. Eligible candidates will be required to take and pass an entrance examination (written and/or oral) to be considered for admission. Candidates with backgrounds from Agribusiness and value chain management can join without any compensatory course. Candidates from Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Marketing, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural/Natural Resource Economics and Management background should take the Value chain analysis and development as compensatory course. Candidates with background in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Plant/Crop Science, Horticulture, and Animal Science should take the following compensatory courses: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Agricultural Marketing, Econometrics and Value chain analysis and development. Candidates with background in Economics, Accounting, Business Management and Cooperatives should take the following compensatory courses: Animal production, Plant production, and Value chain analysis and development. However, candidates with other related disciplines can join the program if they can finish compensatory courses that will be decided by the receiving department, within maximum of one year.

Collaborative Masters of Agriculture and Applied Economics

PhD in Agricultural Economics

The admission to the postgraduate programs of the University is processed through the Registrar's Office with the help of the School Graduate Committee (SGC). Generally, an applicant should fulfil all the standards and eligibility criteria set as per HrU legislation and postgraduate program admission policy and procedure. Potential candidates who apply for PhD in agricultural economics must have a master’s degree from accredited higher learning institutions in or outside the country in agricultural economics, agribusiness and value chain management, agricultural marketing, development economics, agribusiness management, natural resource economics, economics and other economics related fields.

While candidates with backgrounds from agricultural economics, agribusiness and value chain management, agricultural marketing, development economics, agribusiness management, natural resource economics can join without any compensatory course, candidates from economics and other economics-related backgrounds should take compensatory and other relevant courses that will be decided by SGC. In addition to HrU PhD admission criteria, potential candidates must qualify for the eligibility requirement and selection criteria set by the School of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness.

Eligibility Criteria: The school has set the following eligibility criteria that must be fulfilled by the applicant for further selection criteria and to be admitted to the program.

S.No	Criterion to be considered	Description	Requierment
1	Academic achievement	Post graduate CGPA	3.00
Master Thesis	Good and above
2	Recommendation letter	Recommendation letter	At least one recommendation letter from the home institution and two from former instructors/supervisors

S.No

Criterion to be considered

Description

Requierment

Academic achievement

Post graduate CGPA

3.00

Master Thesis

Good and above

Recommendation letter

At least one recommendation letter from the home institution and two from former instructors/supervisors

Selection Criteria: PhD students of the program will be recruited through official calls and a rigorous competitive recruitment process.

selection

S.No	Selection criterion	Description		Point (%)
1	Academic achievement	Post graduate CGPA		10
2	Entrance examination	The PhD candidate must pass the entrance examination (pass mark >=30).		60
3	Publication	Based on MoE Journal reputability criteria	Two and more articles published in peer-reviewed journals	10	10
			One article published in the peer-reviewed journal	5
			Two papers in a proceeding	5
			One paper in a proceeding	2.5
4	Concept note and Face-to-face synopsis presentation	The candidate shall submit 3-5 pages of synopsis (concept note) that show his/her research interest area. The content of the concept note shall include background, research hypothesis/objectives and brief methodology.		10
4	Concept note and Face-to-face synopsis presentation	The candidate shall present the synopsis (concept note) that shows his/her research interest area. Feasible technologies can be used (e.g., Zoom, Team up, …)		10
5	Affirmative action	To support females and candidates with disabilities (5)
Pass mark (cumulative point)				60

Note: The relative point value for CGPA will be calculated proportionally out of 4.00.

PhD in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management (ABVM)

The admission to the postgraduate programs of the University is processed through the Registrar office with the help of the School Graduate Committee (DGC). Generally, an applicant should fulfill all the standards and eligibility criteria set as per HrU and HU Senate legislations and postgraduate program admission policies and procedures. Potential candidates who apply for PhD in agribusiness and value chain management must have master’s degree from accredited higher learning institutions in or outside the country in agribusiness and value chain management, agricultural economics, agricultural marketing, agribusiness management, and agricultural/natural resource economics and Economics.

While candidates with backgrounds from agribusiness and value chain management can join without any compensatory course, candidates from agricultural economics, agricultural marketing, agribusiness management and agricultural/natural resource economics background should take the value chain analysis and development as compensatory course. Candidates with background in Economics should take the following: Animal production, Plant production, and Value chain analysis and development as compensatory courses. Further, School Graduate Committee (DGC) decides for specific auditable courses. Candidates who audit for compensatory and other relevant courses that will be decided by DGC can join the program if they can finish the courses within the required time.

In addition to HrU and/or HU PhD admission criteria, potential candidates must also qualify for the entire eligibility requirement and selection criteria for admission set by MoSHE for Home-Grown Collaborative PhD Programs (HCPP). Accordingly, details of eligibility and selection criteria set are directly drawn from the HCPP document.

Eligibility Criteria: HCPP has set the following eligibility criteria that must be fulfilled/met by the applicant for further selection criteria and to be admitted to the program.

Table 1: Eligibility criteria for PhD program

S.No	Criterion to be considered	Description
1		CGPA	UG	· Male: CGPA 2.75 · Female: CGPA 2.50
	Academic achievement	CGPA	PG	· Male: CGPA 3.20 · Female: CGPA 3.00
		Master, Thesis/Project		· Male: Very good and above · Female: Good and above
2	Maximum age for	Male:		40 years old
	Maximum age for	Female:		45 years old
3	Fitness to curriculum requirement
4	Recommendation letter	At least one recommendation letter from home institution and two from former instructors/supervisors
5	Commitment letter	Signed individual commitment letter following the format developed

Selection Criteria: PhD students of the project will be recruited through official call and a rigorous competitive recruitment process as stipulated by HCPP document. Additional points can be added depending on the nature of curriculum of the specific program.
Table 2. Selection criteria for PhD program

S.No	Selection criterion	Description			Point (%)
1	Academic achievement	CGPA	UG	· Male: 2.75 · Female: 2.50	10
1	Academic achievement		PG	· Male: 3.20 · Female: 3.00	10
2	Entrance examination	The PhD candidate must pass the entrance examination prepared by host and co-hostuniversities (pass mark >=25).			50
3	Publication	Based on MoSHE Journal reputability criteria	· Two and more articles published in peer reviewed journals		10	10
			· One article published in peer reviewed journal		5
			· Two papers in a proceeding		5
			· One paper in a proceeding		2.5
4	Concept note and Face-to-face synopsis presentation	The candidate shall submit 3-5 pages of synopsis (concept note) that show his/her research interest area. The content of concept note shall include background, research hypothesis/objectives and brief methodology.			7.5
4	Concept note and Face-to-face synopsis presentation	The candidate shall present the synopsis (concept note) that shows his/her research interest area. Feasible technologies can be used (e.g., Zoom, Team up, …)			7.5
5	Affirmative action	To support female and candidates with disabilities and from emerging regions applicants			5
Pass mark (cumulative point)					60

Note: The relative point value for CGPA will be calculated proportionally out of 4.00;
If the numbers of passed students are beyond the intake capacity of the universities, the first top students based on the capacity of each university will be admitted.

Admission Requirements for School of Animal and Range Sciences

BSc Animal Science

Animal Sciences: this is a three years BSc degree program with the following objective.

To produce professionals equipped with knowledge in sustainable animal production, personal and social attributes and entrepreneurial skills.
To conduct basic and applied research in the field of animal science and to disseminate the generated knowledge to various stakeholders.

Admission

Successful completion of the preparatory program and pass national examination.
Placement as advance standing student.

BSc in Range Ecology and Ecotourism

Range management and Eco-tourism (RMET): This program was launched in 2007. Pastoralism constitutes a unique and important way of life for a large proportion of the Ethiopia population. There are some 12-15 million agro-pastoralists, living in 7 regions. The pastoralist areas are characterized by unpredictable and unstable climatic conditions as well as ecologically fragile environments. At the same time, the livestock population in the pastoral areas is high with good quality domestic animals being known to be found on these regions. Rangeland covers more than 62% of the total landmass of the country, where mode of life of these people has been dependent on traditional way of living through opportunistic production of range vegetation and livestock products.Furthermore, the pastoral areas are rich in cultural & traditional heritage, flora & fauna diversities, habitat for game and non-game wildlife, recreational opportunities, valuable minerals and other resources which could lead to good tourism industry in the areas.

In order to maintain natural resources management, the role of ecotourism will have a great impact more in the rangeland regions where the widest conservation areas of the country are located. Moreover, incorporating elements of ecotourism in the program for applying the principles of sustainable development to everyday life of agro pastoral people in the areas are paramount.

Vision

The vision of the department is to be center of excellence in knowledge generation and dissemination in Range Management and Ecotourism.

Mission

The mission of the department is to produce skilled manpower in Range Management and Ecotourism through relevant and quality education both in theory and practices. The department will conduct both basic and applied research in demand-driven area and disseminate the same stakeholders.

Goal

To educate students to the best international standards and to prepare them for careers in professional work, research, community services and capacity building.
To provide scientific education and skill to conduct research for the development of range livestock production & ecotourism.

Program objectives:

To produce professionals with knowledge, skill and attitude in range management & ecotourism.
To conduct guided and applied research in range livestock production & ecotourism management
To produce qualified and competent professionals in the field both nationally and internationally
To produce professionals that plays a role in rangeland resources conservation and management
To acquaint students with senses of being initiative for continuous learning and develop the ability of individual work as well as creativity
To initiate the willingness to serve and communicate as well as the skills to develop and extend key abilities such as teamwork, problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, self reliance, communicating, analyzing, and retrieving, processing and applying information.

Admission

To be admitted to the B.Sc. program in Range Management and Ecotourism a candidate should have:

Successful completion of the preparatory program and pass national examination.
Placement as Advanced Standing Student
Interest in Range Animal Production and Ecotourism

M.Sc. in Animal Genetics and Breeding

Admission

Applicants must have completed the academic requirements for the Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biology or other related sciences from an accredited higher learning institutions.
The candidate must pass qualifying (entrance) examination in the field of study.
The candidate must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation preferably from the candidate’s undergraduate instructors, employers and professional associations.
Candidates from non-animal science graduates admitted to the programme may be required to take some basic courses from the under graduate program. These courses will be worked out by the Department Graduate Council and approved by the graduate faculty based on the B.Sc. credentials of the students.

The M.Sc. degree in Animal Genetics and Breeding is awarded to a candidate who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, passed in all courses of the program and successfully defended his/her Thesis.

Courses:

Animal Genetic Resources and Conservation
Reproductive Physiology
Animal Genetics
Biometrics
Animal Nutrition
Animal Physiology
Computer Applications
Population Genetics
Quantitative Genetics
Biotechnology in Animal Breeding
Applied Animal Breeding
Current Topics in Animal Genetics and Breeding
Meat Production
Milk Production
Poultry Production
Seminar in Animal Genetics and Breeding
M.Sc. Thesis Research

M. Sc. in Rangeland Ecology and Management

The Program

The Master of Science degree program in Rangeland Ecology and Management requires a minimum of 32 credits of course work and six credits of research work on which a Thesis must be written and defended successfully. The program has the objective to develop range ecology and management with emphasis on livestock production and management aspects, including the interaction of livestock and vegetation. The main objective of the program is to train skilled manpower capable of developing research strategies or rural development options that will improve the standard of living of pastoralists through improved livestock and forage resource management and avoidance of land resource degradation.

Admission

– Applicants must have completed the academic requirements for the Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biology or other related sciences from an accredited higher learning institution.

– The candidate must pass qualifying (entrance) examination in the field of study.

– The candidate must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation preferably from the candidates under graduate instructors, employers and professional associations.

– Candidates from non-animal science majors admitted to the program may be required to take some basic courses from the under graduate program. These courses will be worked out by the Department Graduate Council and approved by the graduate faculty based on the B.Sc. credentials of the students.

Graduation

The M.Sc. degree in Range Ecology and Management is awarded to a candidate who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, passed in all courses of the program and successfully defended his/her Thesis.

Courses offered under this program

Forage Production and Range Management
Plant and Range Ecology
Anthropology and Socio-economics
Animal Nutrition
Animal Physiology
Biometrics
Computer Applications
Feed Resources Development and Management
Rangeland Resources and Watershed Management
Current Topics in Range Ecology and Management
Feed Evaluation and Budgeting (E)
Farm Animal Diseases and Management
Camel Production
Ruminant Production

M.Sc. in Dairy Science

This M.Sc. program was launched in 2011/2012 Academic year with the following objectives

Background

Ethiopia has a huge potential for development of the dairy industry. Some of the indicators of the country’s potential for the development of the dairy sector include the large livestock population; the high demand for milk and milk products in the country due to the increasing human population, increased rate of urbanization and the expected increase in real income of the consumers; and the diverse climatic and topographic conditions that the country possesses. Despite this big potential, the dairy industry in the country is under developed and the annual milk production is not sufficient to feed the current human population.

Objective

To produce high-level trained manpower which will play a significant role in the enhancement of dairy science and initiation of research on pertinent dairy production problems of the country.

Graduate Profile

Upon completion of the Dairy Science program, the graduates are expected to work independently:

in government dairy research programs and as advisors concerning dairy production,
in research, development and management sectors in dairy industries,
as teachers of dairy science and related courses in higher learning institutions,
as leaders in the extension service to promote milk production and its products,
as private entrepreneurs to promote dairy technology and dairy products processing.

The Program

The Master of Science degree program in Dairy Science has a course work requirement of at least 30 credits and six credits of research work on which a Thesis must be written and defended successfully.

The program is aimed at training skilled manpower capable of designing and handling research and development strategies towards the development of the dairy sector in the country.

Admission

Applicants must have completed the academic requirements for the Bachelor’s of degree in Animal Science, Biology or other related sciences from an accredited higher learning institutions.
The candidate must pass qualifying (entrance) examination in the field of study.
The candidate must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation preferably from the candidates undergraduate instructors, employers and professional associations.
Non-animal science majors admitted to the programme may be required to take some prerequisite courses from the undergraduate program. These courses will be worked out by the Department Graduate Council and approved by the graduate faculty based on the BSc credentials of the student.

Graduation

The MSc degree in Dairy Science is awarded to a candidate who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, passed in all examinations of courses in the program and successfully defended the Thesis.

PhD in Animal Nutrition

Admission requirements

Master of Science degree in animal nutrition, animal production, animal physiology, range management or other related sciences or an equivalent degree form an accredited university;

Candidates requesting for admission from fields other than animal nutrition may be required to take additional courses to compensate for the deficiencies as per the recommendation of DGC and approved by CGS;

Graduation requirements

To be eligible for graduation all the PhD candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Twenty-two credit hours of course work, with no “D” grade in any course taken as well as not more than one “C”;
Thirty credit hours of research work on which a dissertation must be written;
Letter of testimony from the supervisory committee;
Successful defense of thesis;
A Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00; and
A draft copy of at least one publishable paper from the doctoral thesis.

Distribution of Courses

Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition

Nutritional physiology and Biochemistry
Mineral and Vitamin Nutrition
Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition
Analytical Techniques in Animal Nutrition
Seminar I
Advances in Feed Resources Utilization
Animal Science Research and Biometrics
Seminar II
Advanced Bioenergetics and Protein Utilisation
Tropical Livestock Production System
Animal Adaptation and Stress Physiology
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Technology and Applications

PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics

Admission requirements

Master of Science degree in animal genetics/ breeding, animal production, or other related sciences or an equivalent degree form an accredited university;
Candidates requesting for admission from fields other than animal genetics / breeding may be required to take additional courses to compensate for the deficiencies as per the recommendation of DGC and approved by CGS.

Graduation requirement

To be eligible for graduation all the PhD candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Twenty-two credit hours of course work, with no “D” grade in any course taken as well as not more than one “C”;
Thirty credit hours of research work on which a dissertation must be written;
Letter of testimony from the supervisory committee;
Successful defense of thesis;
A Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00. and
A draft copy of at least one publishable paper from the doctoral thesis.

Distribution of Courses by Year and Semester

Advanced Biometrics in Animal Breeding
Advances in Animal Genetics and Breeding
Animal Genetic Resource Management
Molecular Genetics
Bioinformatics
Seminar I
Planning Genetic Improvement program
Methods of Genetic Evaluation
Tropical livestock production systems
Animal adaptation and stress physiology
Geographical information systems (GIS) and Technology and applications
Seminar II

PhD in Tropical Animal production

This PhD program is launched 2010/11 academic years and has three streams visa-vis dairy animal production, meat animals production and non-ruminant animal production.

Program Objectives

To produce professionals equipped with knowledge, skill and attitude in sustainable and market oriented tropical animal production and management according to the country’s policy, priority and development agenda
To conduct advanced basic and applied research in the field of tropical animal production and disseminate the generated knowledge, skill and attitude to various stakeholders.

Admission requirements

Master of Science degree in animal production, animal nutrition, animal genetics and breeding, dairy science, animal physiology, range management and ecology or other related sciences or an equivalent degree from an accredited university;

Candidates requesting for admission from fields other than Animal Science may be required to take additional courses to compensate for the deficiencies as per the recommendation of School Graduate Council (SGC) and approved by Council of Graduate Studies (CGS).

Graduation requirements

To be eligible for graduation, all PhD candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

22credit hours of course work, with no “D” grade in any course taken as well as not more than one “C”;
A Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00;
30 credit hours of research work on which a dissertation must be written;
At least on published paper in a reputable Journal
Letter of testimony from the supervisory committee and
Successful defence of the thesis.

Courses

Adaptation physiology of farm animal in the Tropics
Tropical livestock production systems
Animal Science research and biometrics
Tropical farm animal reproduction and fertility
Animal genetic resources conservation and management
Seminar I (Current topics in Tropical animal production)
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology
Livestock resource economics and marketing
Tropical dairy animals production & management
Lactation physiology of dairy animals (E)
Advances in dairy animals’ nutrition & feeding
Dairy products processing and technology
Camel productions and management
Seminar II (Current topics in dairy animal production)
Dairy development policy and trade
Livestock products value chain analysis
Tropical meat animals production & management
Advances in meat animals’ nutrition and feeding
Meat technology
Camel productions and management
Seminar II (Current topics in tropical meat animal production)
Muscle physiology and biochemistry
Poultry production & management
Swine production & management
Meat technology
Monogastric animals nutrition & feeding
Seminar II (current topics in non-ruminant animals
Muscle physiology & biochemistry

Admission Requirements for School of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences

BSc. Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences

Admission

Successful completion of the preparatory program and pass national examination.
Placement as advance standing student.

Admission Requirements for School of Plant Sciences

BSc in Horticulture

Horticulture is the science, art and industry of plant cultivation that is engaged with fruits, berries and nuts, vegetables, herbs, spices, stimulants, medicinal plants as well as ornamentals such as flowers, trees and shrubs.It is unique as a scientific field of study in that it often utilizes artistic expression to aid the design of human landscapes and to restore natural environments. At its core, it is an environmental science that recognizes humans are dependent on their environment for sustenance and wellbeing. In general, horticulture has a key role to play, in the global challenge to provide a growing world population with nutritious food, produced in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way and moreover produces the whole spectrum of ornamental plants. To this end, the Horticulture Program, under the School of Plant Sciences is running graduate programs in Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy since 1978/80. It thrives based on the three strategic pillars ‘excellence in teaching; research and community engagement’ of the university by delivering applied and basic horticultural topics related with plant-soil interactions, plant physiology, landscape designing, floriculture, pre and post-harvest handling, crops improvement and horticultural crops seed production and propagation; conducting research in various aspects of horticultural crops and outreach technologies for sustainable development of horticulture sector.

Mission of Horticulture Program

To produce qualified, competent, problem solving and creative graduates in the fields of horticulture disciplines, undertake problem solving researches, generate and share knowledge and technologies, and provide demand-driven and transformative community service.

Vision

The program has a vision of becoming one of the ‘center of excellence in advanced horticulture both in rural and urban community’ in Africa and the best in the country that can significantly contribute in sustainable development of the sector and poverty reduction program through generating qualified graduates and technologies that can boost the production, productivity and marketing of horticultural crops; advocate for practical and science-based environmental stewardship, enhance the quality of life as well as in contributing new scientific knowledge and theories to the world scientific community.

Core Values

Horticulture program is committed to the following core values:

Academic freedom: A strong commitment to a free and democratic academic environment where individuals inquire, investigate and engage in relevant academic practices and development.
Perseverance: A commitment and dedication to perform assigned duties to the best of one’s knowledge and abilities.
Good governance: The practice of democratic, transparent, inclusive, responsible and accountable leadership and management and promotion of the principle of equal opportunity.
Respect for diversity: A culture of equity and fairness in all forms of practices; a conviction for the respect of all people without sexual, class, racial, ethnic, religious, and regional discriminations.
Professionalism: A commitment to a high standard of professional integrity and ethics.
Collaborative spirit: Culture of working cooperatively intra and inter schools or college(s) within the university and with other stakeholders; developing the “we” spirit and joint responsibility.
Fostering creativity/innovation: Develop a culture for generating new ideas, processes, services, technologies and entrepreneurial skill.
Respect for nature and environment: All endeavors of the program should be environment friendly.

Admission Requirements

Successful candidates as per the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Education and the hosting university can be admitted.

5.2. Duration of Study

3 years for regular undergraduate program.
4 years for extension undergraduate program.
5 years for summer undergraduate program.

5.3. Graduation Requirements

Minimum ECTS for graduation is a total of 180
2.0 or higher cumulative grade point average (CGPA) overall courses and No “F” grade in any course (s) taken.

5.4. Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction for the school is ENGLISH.

2. DEGREE NOMENCLATURE

The undergraduate Plant Science major program leads to a certification referred in English as: Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Sciences, In Amharic: የባችለርሳይንስዲግሪበእፅዋትሳይንስ.

MODE OF DELIVERY

Lectures with multimedia support
Group discussion, debate and seminar presentation
Reading assignments (books, journals & literature review)
Questions and answers (oral and written or worksheet or home take)
Field and laboratory practical and visits

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

Mode of Assessment

Assessment is carried out both as a continuous process during course delivery, which constitutes 60% weight of the total mark and final exam, which constitutes 40%. The assessment methods involved are summarized as follow:

For theory part course work

Continuous Assessment: quizzes, test, assignments
Term papers
Class activity/attendance
Mid-exam
Final exam
Laboratory and field reports
Assignments
Practical examinations
Written examinations
Quality of paper presented
Manner of presentation (confidence, personality, communication, etc)
Defending material presented

For practical course

For research project, field practice and seminars

Grading System

Grading is carried out by FIXED SCALE GRADING SYSTEM based on the legislation of the hosting university.

BSc in Crop Protection

BSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding

BSc in Agronomy and Crop Ecology

Admission Requirements for School of Rural Development and Agricultural Innovation

BSc. Rural development and Agricultural Extension – Regular

Realising the emerging need of creating extension professionals with enough competence and technical knowledge to revamp Ethiopian farming sector, Haramaya University has been giving much thrust for the academic programmes in this subject matter for the last several years. In 1967, it began to offer a BSc degree programme with a major in agricultural education / extension but the Department was closed in 1977 – 78. After several years of interruption, the University, as per the recommendation from the Ministry of Education of Government of Ethiopia, and UNDP, re-institutionalised the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension (formerly Department of Agricultural Extension) in 1994. The only one of its type in the country, the Department of Agricultural Extension at Haramaya University has been created at about the time when the new national extension intervention programme was on the anvil and was meant to specifically serve the purpose of agricultural development led industrialization (ADLI) policy by providing the required trained human resource.

At present, the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension runs three BSc level training programmes (1) Regular (2) Mid-career and (3) Summer-in-service. The first one admits students who completed their preparatory education in various schools of the country (till 2004, from the freshman students in the University). This regular undergraduate programme B.Sc (Rural Development and Agricultural Extension), started in 1994, is unique by giving more emphasis on extension related courses along with technology inputs in crop and livestock production and natural resource management. This extends to three years after freshman course or preparatory course in natural science. The graduates of this programme are substantially contributing to the agrarian development of the country by serving as extension functionaries under the Ministry of Agriculture as well as NGOs in various capacities.

Another unique teaching programme of the Department is the Mid-Career undergraduate programme leading to the award of the degree B.Sc (Agricultural Extension). This is offered to the in-service and sponsored candidates from among the front line extension workers of regional bureaux of agriculture and rural development or NGOs, who already possess Diplomas in Agriculture and allied subjects as well as several years of service. Started in 1996, this programme has been producing on average 30 graduates every year since 1999.
Another notable course programme at undergraduate level is the Summer-in-service Programme leading to the award of the degree BSc (Rural Development and Agricultural Extension). Started in 2002, this is also meant for in-service candidates to enable them to be trained for better professionalism during their off-seasons (summer) of every year, though with long duration.

BSc in Agricultural Extension – Mid Career

MSc in Rural Development

The Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension started Master’s degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension in 2003-04, realising the emerging need of higher learning in the subject matter. The graduate students are selected based on merit after rigorous entrance test procedures. This programme is also expected to add some contributions to the research pursuits of the Department on priority issues. This program offers two sub-specializations: ‘Agricultural Communication and Innovation for Rural Development’ and ‘Rural Development’. It provides common courses for all sub-specializations and specific courses to each sub-specialization. Elective courses are available to fulfill the requirements for M.Sc in RDAE depending on the thesis path and/or interest of students.

Admission Requirements to MSc RDAE

The general admission requirement for the MSc program in the field of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension is successful completion of academic requirements of the B.Sc. degree in Agricultural Extension/Rural Development and Agricultural Extension and related field of study and performance in entrance examination. However, graduates in agricultural sciences and non-agricultural stream (such as sociology, economics, psychology etc) have to undergo bridging/remedial courses prescribed by the DGC on the basis of their undergraduate studies before they take up graduate research. The courses may include: Adult Teaching Methods and Audio-visual Techniques, and Extension Methods and Approaches. In addition, those from non-agricultural discipline are required to successfully complete the following courses: Crop Production and Management, Animal Production & Management, and Introduction to Farm Management.

Those from agricultural stream but from other field of studies (such as Animal Science, Plant Science etc) have to take two bridging/remedial courses at undergraduate level namely ‘Extension methods and approaches’ and ‘ and ‘Adult Teaching Methods and Audio-visual Techniques

MSc in Agricultural Communication and Innovation for Development

The MSc AICM program is a new regional masters program hosted by RDAE department since summer 2010. This program is currently offered in other two RUFORUM member universities (Egerton University and University of Nairobi). Brief rationale of the program, learning objectives, learning outcomes and graduate profile is presented here under.

Admission Requirements to MSc AICM

The admission requirements for the MSc program in AICM are:

successful completion of academic requirements of a B.Sc./BA degree in agriculture, ICT or related disciplines from an accredited university, and

applicants must pass entrance exam and fulfill other admission criteria of the University.

Background and Rationale of the Regional MSc (AICM) Program

Agriculture is the economic driving force in most of the African countries. Agricultural research in Africa and elsewhere in the world is generating agricultural technologies that can improve food security and community development, but the impact is yet to be felt in sub-Saharan African (SSA) households in general and East and Central Africa (ECA) in particular. Even though hundreds of technologies are generated in the region, its dissemination and adoption is estimated to be very limited for various reasons. Appropriate information and communication management (ICM) is necessary to support food security by facilitating agricultural research and technology diffusion and uptake. Poor communication of information on emerging technologies, however, limits the impact of agricultural research. Most graduates of agriculture and related programs often do not acquire adequate capacity to integrate ICT in communicating agricultural knowledge. On the other hand, ICT specialists lack technical capacity to understand agricultural packages and communicate new developments in agricultural sector.

The Master’s degree program in Agricultural Information and Communication Management (AICM) is one of the key strategies set out to realize the objective of enhancing the contribution of information and communication to improved and sustainable productivity in agriculture, and to add value and competitiveness to the regional agricultural system. The program was designed through extensive consultations with national, regional and international partners and aimed at producing AICM professionals to complement rather than to duplicate national efforts that centered on short-term skills up-gradation training. Development of the program at postgraduate level was strongly supported by the findings of a training need assessment (TNA) undertaken by the Regional Agricultural Information Network (RAIN) of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) in 2005 that showed the number of agricultural professionals in the region with AICM skills are few. More specifically, agricultural researchers, educators and technologists in National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), Universities and extension services lack skills that can make them self-sufficient in meeting basic information needs to generate and disseminate agricultural technologies.

MSc in Agricultural Information and Communication Management

PhD in Commercialization and Rural Institutions

The PhD has two streams: ‘Knowledge Management and Capacity Development’ and ‘Commercialization and Rural Institutions’. The objective of this program is to produce highly qualified and competent human resource for research, education, policy advice, and development practice in rural development and agricultural extension, focusing on the following thematic areas:

Knowledge management and innovation

Capacity development

Commercialization and rural livelihoods

Rural institutions and collective action

Rural and agricultural service delivery

Admission Requirements to PhD in RDAE

The candidates who fulfil the following criteria will be eligible to join the Doctoral Degree Program in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension.

Master’s degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension or similar nature.

Submission of an application with authenticated educational documents, three recommendations written by candidate’s former instructors and/or employers, a letter of sponsorship to cover tuition fees, living costs and doctoral research costs, and a two page dissertation research synopsis

DGC’s recommendation after scrutiny and evaluation of documents before approval by Council of Graduate Agricultural Extension (CGS) of the University.

The number of students to be admitted to the PhD program varies over years and it is mainly determined by the availability of senior lecturers in the department to supervise PhD students.

Professional Profile

The proposed PhD program is expected to create professionals who will:

serve as practitioners of rural development planning and facilitation;

act as researchers in rural and agricultural development process in different aspects;

help in policy advice and advocacies;

serve as academic experts to strengthen the universities in the country; and

be expert consultants for different stakeholders involved in Rural Development Agricultural Extension

Graduate Profile

The outputs of the program with Doctoral Degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension will have the capacity and competence in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes in:

facilitating the process of designing, implementing, monitoring, evaluation and learning in development interventions addressing various problems prevailing in the country;

carrying out rural development policy research and analysis;

serving as academicians in institutions of higher learning;

taking up consultancy assignments for different stakeholders as might be needed in the thematic areas

PhD in Knowledge Management and Capacity Development

PhD in Rural Development