MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

Background

The Master of Science in Sustainable Management and Operations (SuMO) programme was developed to contribute to the competitiveness of agro-based industries and other business organizations through an embodiment of sustainable business management policies, principles and practices. To attract domestic and international private-sector investments, developing countries such as Kenya need compelling business models capable of contributing to poverty reduction and food security, and sustainable resource management. The programme, placed in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, and implementated within a collaboration framework with Faculty of Business and Mangement Sciences, provides exposure to students to business models for a wide range of domestic, regional and international socio-economic and environmental problems affecting agro-industries and other businesses in Kenya and beyond. The real-life case studies are used to expose students to sustainability cases and problems. The programme is tailored to provide Kenyan agro-industries and other businesses with the personnel they need to be regionally and globally competitive in sustainability aspects. Thus, the MSc graduates in Sustainable Management and Operations will contribute to the economic development process by applying novel knowledge, skills, experience and attributes in sustainability aspects in businesses and especially food trade and agro-industries. The hallmark of the training is innovation, creativity, freedom of thought and expression, and excellence, considering the prevailing national and international policies. Some global concerns and trends were incorporated into the syllabus such as globalization, industrialization, agribusiness and entrepreneurship (value addition and private sector development), sustainable development gender mainstreaming and environmental issues in higher education.

 

Philosophy of the programme

The programme is founded on the concept of sustainable development; a broad, dialectical notion that balances the need for economic growth with environmental protection and social equity. While businesses and their supply chains are the engines for economic development, there is a need to balance them with social, equity and environmental protection. The Master of Science in Sustainable Management and Operations is anchored on the increasing demand for competent manpower to sustainably manage businesses in the economy. Therefore, based on this training need, the programme envisions better managed businesses that would lead to improved liveliboods, economic growth as well as sustainable utilization of environment and natural resources. This philosophy is line with the University of Nairobi’s philosophy to be “a world-class university committed to scholarly excellence”. In training competent manpower, the programme is aligned to the global Sustainable Development Goals and country economic blue-prints that emphasize application of innovative research and transfer of knowledge to the beneficiaries.

 

Rationale of the programme

   -Needs assessment/market survey/situation analysis

The programme responds to the concerns of various stakeholders including students, trade and agricultural sector actors, agro-industries and other industries. To improve the management of organizations, there is need to build knowledge, skills and understanding of sustainable management and operations in businesses to promote rural development and economic growth. The findings from the situational analysis and stakeholders’ contributions reveal that there is a dire need for manpower with sustainable management and operations skills in business enterprises in the country. The programme is anchored on Kenya’s Vision 2030 and other national frameworks that foster sustainability in food security and job creation. The programme is also aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that enhance the green economy and reduction of green-house gas emissions. The global, regional and local development frameworks call for organizations to contribute to the sustainable development agenda aimed at sustaining future generations. For example, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seek not only to harness food suppy chains and the large market size of Africa but also to establish mechanisms to support vibrant African economies while protecting people’s rights and the natural environment. Consequently, there has been increased pressure on both the public and private sectors to embrace sustainable management in their daily operations. These economic sectors are compelled to adhere to international standards and declarations to develop sustainable strategies geared at fostering circular economies. As a result, there is an increased demand among practitioners for graduates trained in sustainable management and operations.

   -Justification of the need for the programme

Kenya as one of the emerging economies cannot operate in isolation from international pressure on issues related to sustainability and particularly in agro-industries. In addition, the need to increase foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Kenya calls for professionals in sustainable management and operations of agribusinesses. Most of the FDIs adhere to international standards aimed at cherishing sustainable development, hence requiring such experts. The programme adopts an inter-disciplinary approach that allows students from various fields such as agriculture, environment, food, health and nutrition, business, agribusiness management, logistics and supply chain management, forestry, entrepreneurship and agri-preneurship. In Kenya, particularly at the University of Nairobi, there exists no academic programme (at any level) that addresses the needed skills for sustainable development of businesses and agrienterprises. Few students get opportunities for such training abroad. Thus, the programme provides an opportunity for students to attain specialized skills both locally, regionally and internationally. The programme responds to the needs of the Kenyan businesses, agro-industry and other corporations, as well as capacity building and training institutions.

Goal of the programme

The goal of the programme is to produce skilled, motivated and internationally competitive graduates that will work effectively in a globalized business environment. The programme intends to equip the learners with knowledge, skills, attitudes and attributes of creative thinking and innovativeness towards enhancing sustainability. The graduates are expected to develop a mindset of self-reliance and make them sustainably utilize the limited resources in a continually changing business environment. Specifically, the programme empowers the learner to understand the interrelationships among social, environmental, technological and economic systems.

 

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:

1. Describe important attributes in the operation of businesses and particularly small agroenterprises that enhance economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the society;

2. Apply appropriate principles and practices of sustainable management and operations to provide solutions to the challenges facing business operations;

3. Analyze appropriate knowledge and skills required for sustainable management of industries and particularly small agribusiness enterprises;

4. Disseminate effectively information on sustainable management of businesses that is tailored to benefit communities through good leadership of their enterprises

5. Evaluate sustainability and operations management policies that regulate food trade, logistics, and supply chains in the country and region.

 

Mode of delivery

Face-to-face mode This will be through lectures, discussion groups, seminars, guided field visits and industry tours, case studies and assignments 2.2. Open distance and e-learning mode This will be through self-instructional and online self-study materials, including self-instructional study modules such as booklets, relevant literature to the course, and online interactive devices and self-tests; technical learning materials such as audiovisual, e-learning materials and video clips. 2.3. Blended learning mode This will combine both face-to-face and online learning approaches including but not limited to: the use of online tools and resources such as Google classroom, YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Moodle and Blackboard; Hand-on practical exercises in the field, face-to-face group work in classrooms and face-to-face tutorials between online lessons; and use of cloudbased content and learning course management system application to connect with students online.