NELSPRUIT – It may still take another year before the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) begins operating in full swing, but the institution is ready to start offering its new B Agric degree in January.
The university’s interim strategic-management committee recently explained that its education, hospitality and agriculture degrees were initially being offered under the patronage of various universities in 2014.
In the case of the bachelor’s degree in agriculture, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) was involved. Dr Steve Worth, head of agricultural extension and rural resources management at the university, explained that he was contributing time and effort in his personal capacity to support the UMP agricultural programme wherever possible.
UKZN is currently offering its support on a consultancy basis while the institutional arrangements, such as a memorandum of agreement between the two universities, are being finalised. To begin with, the course will be offered on the premises of the Lowveld Agricultural College.
At the beginning of 2015, the Department of Higher Education and Training will officially take over the college, and new buildings will be constructed. Worth explained that the B Agric – a fully accredited university degree – was specifically chosen because it was grounded in the learning framework of the diploma currently offered by the college.
The degree would offer students theoretical training while they concurrently learnt practical agricultural production. “What is perhaps important to understand is that the degree is intended to train people who will work in agricultural extension in the public, private or NGO sector with a focus on assisting those farmers who are part of the ‘second economy’ and who need support to gain access to and to benefit from the larger agricultural sector,” he said.
To this end, the programme was grounded in agricultural practice as opposed to agricultural science. “The result should be an extension practitioner who is practically competent in agriculture and equally competent in developing human capacity within a learning framework,” said Worth.
The B Agric was developed specifically to address the changing agricultural landscape in South Africa and redirect agriculture to the majority population.
Overall quality assurance for the whole of UMP is being provided by the University of Pretoria. Quality is controlled through curriculum development grounded in research and industry input, regular curriculum review, moderation, review of marks, student management, and academic support for students.
A number of processes and support that address the many aspects of quality control will be provided by UKZN, including advice to structures in module presentation, setting and reviewing assessments, and counselling as required.
Entrance requirements for the B Agric course are a matric pass with level four passes in English, maths, life orientation, and at least one of either agricultural science, life science, or physical science.
Applications for the agriculture and hospitality courses will close on January 10. Funding is available and qualifying students will be assisted as much as possible. To apply, visit www.ump.ac.za or contact studentadmissions@ump.ac.za or sandile.mabuza@ump.ac.za
