AWARD
Role-modeling Events
Kenyan University Students Inspired to Pursue Careers in Agriculture
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2010 AWARD Fellow Emily Masinde, a research assistant in the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute’s (KARI) Biotechnology Section, hosted a role-modeling event called “Sharing it Forward: It’s a Privilege to be in Agriculture” at the Agriculture Resources Centre at Egerton University in Njoro, Kenya. The event, held on October 1, 2011, attracted more than 50 university and college students, half of whom are women.
Masinde talked about AWARD’s work, to which the female students responded with great enthusiasm. Dr. Mariam Mwangi and Dr. Antony Kibe, senior lecturers at Egerton University’s Department of Crops, Horticulture, and Soils, also spoke at the event. Encouraging students to pursue agricultural studies and research, Dr. Kibe noted that women’s empowerment is a key factor to fighting hunger and poverty in Africa. He emphasized the role that husbands can play to empower their wives when it comes to decision making, particularly because women are primarily involved in the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural produce.
Dr. Mwanigi and Nancy Wangu, an agricultural officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, presented information on knowledge sharing. Dr. Nancy Mungai, a senior lecturer and Director of the Board of Undergraduate Studies, at Egerton University, moderated a discussion on the AWARD film, Thema’s Journey, which many participants said motivated them to share the knowledge they have learned during their undergraduate education with their communities in the future.
Esther Kageche, a research officer at KARI, presented on the importance of a positive attitude as a contributing factor to career success in agriculture. Mercy Wamalwa, an AWARD Mentee, spoke about career opportunities in agriculture and related fields. All three talks contributed to a change in the negative perceptions that some of the students previously held about agricultural careers.
Feedback from the BSc student participants:
“We might live somehow without shelter and clothing, but not food, which is a product of agriculture. This is proof of just how agriculture is important. Agriculture is our life.”
– Samuel Muraya, Food Science and Technology
“In first year, I wanted to change my course to commerce. I didn’t qualify, so I just decided to stay in agriculture, but not whole-heartedly. My attitude about agriculture has changed after the talk, and I want to do an MSc in agriculture.”
– Caroline Apondi, Agronomy
“You can’t be your own role model and follow yourself. It is important to have someone you can emulate.”
– Japheth Katanga, Horticulture
“I come from Narok, where many farmers keep animals. They struggle to maintain animal health and they always look to me for advice on animal production. I’m proud to be in agriculture, because it gives me a chance to give back to my community.”
– Agesa Kichamu, Animal Science
“I won’t keep my agricultural knowledge to myself. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to mentor first year students.”
– Knight Chepkemoi, Horticulture