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Report chapter, 2014

International field course: global development, natural resources and livelihoods - SLU in co-operation with Kenyatta University and Embu University College

Lagerlöf, Jan

Abstract

A multidisciplinary MSc field course aiming at studies of the socio-economic, ecological and environmental aspects of use of natural resources, especially food production, was held. Funding by UD15 during 2013 and 2014 made it possible to arrange the course together with two Kenyan universities (Kenyatta University and Embu University College) and to admit equal numbers of Kenyan and SLU students. The course consisted of one week of theoretical studies at the students' home universities and three weeks of field studies in Kenya followed by a few days of summing up of results and submitting reports. The students worked in groups of two SLU and two Kenyan students. They collected information and tested their research question on different aspects of use of natural resources and development by interviewing farmers, representatives of different companies and officers from local governmental administration, and were supervised by both SLU and Kenyan teachers. The course programme also included study visits to a national park for study of the importance of nature protection for tourism and water supply and studies of a Rift Valley lake where exploitation and conservation aspects are in conflict during the economic development of the area. The students' achievements were presented as oral and written project reports and individual excursion reports. The outcome of the course was very successful and was given the highest scores in the course evaluation, concerning learning outcome as well as course administration. Spin off results include signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Kenyan Universities and SLU and further co-operation in teaching and research is planned.

Published in

SLU-Global Report
2014, number: 2014:6, pages: 90-95
Title: The SLU global food security research and capacity development programme 2012-2014: a Swedish government initiative
ISBN: 9789157692559, eISBN: 9789157692566
Publisher: SLU Global, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Ecology
    Environmental Sciences
    Food Science

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/65270