1. Program Objectives

After the completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

  • Assist in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions for agricultural development in Ethiopia by supplying the country with innovative, dynamic and professional change agents who upon their graduation can serve various organizations addressing the emerging issues in development in an effective manner;
  • Facilitate pro-poor, gender sensitive and ecologically sound agricultural and rural development by producing educated human resource in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension;
  • Gain knowledge in the conceptual framework, features, significance, components and growth aspects concerned with multifaceted dimensions of rural development and agricultural extension especially with regard to the specialized agencies established to and projects tailored for development;
  • Acquire the necessary skills to address the issues of poverty and will be able to render extension services and will also better serve for co-ordination of rural agencies and community development programs;
  • Appreciate the knowledge, skills, and the role of rural development partners and will be in a position to bring better attitudinal and behavioral changes not only in themselves for better development interventions but also in the public to get them involved in Rural Development processes.

The profession of development interventionist requires a wide range of qualities such as versatility, impartiality, openness, flexibility, innovativeness, persistence, etc. In general, the graduates in their profession will have the competencies to uplift the living situation of the rural poor whose problems are much intertwined with cultural, socio-economic, institutional and situational factor.

  1. 1.1.1.       Knowledge
  2. Collect and analyze information and translate this into easily manageable and understandable terms for use by the rural community,
  3. Promote and disseminate agricultural information and technology through training of farmers and extension workers,
  4. Assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs/projects related to development initiatives in sustainable manners,
  5. Undertaking research in the areas of agricultural extension, rural livelihoods, food security, marketing, gender, development and sustainable development,
  6. Deliver consultancy and advisory services in the field of rural development,
  7. Support to run value adding product processing activities,
  8. Serve as gender and development officers and promoters, social workers, community mobilizes and public administrators.
    1. 1.1.2.       Skill

A graduate in Rural Development and agricultural extension program will be able to: –

  • Apply proper methods of how different community groups are organized and enter into development endeavors,
  • Identify and analyze problems related to rural development intervention,
  • Design and conduct trainings for specialized skill and knowledge in areas of rural development in agricultural colleges, universities and training centers,
  • Generate self-employment and establish and manage enterprise in their profession and related fields,
  • Plan, coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate rural development programs/projects,
  • Formulate and advocate rural development policies and strategies
  • Disseminate new and improved technologies for the benefit of society,

A graduate in rural development and agricultural extension program will be able to:

  • Perceive the importance of rural development for poverty reduction,
  • Appreciate rural development in social, economic, environmental, cultural and political context,
  • Develop sense of enthusiasm to work with farmers in rural areas,
  • Involve in an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of learning and studying,
  • Desire to run private farms and agro-industries as self -employment,
  • 2.       Graduate profile

After successful completion of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension program, Graduates will be able to:

  • Apply proper methods of how different community groups are organized and enter into development endeavors,
  • Facilitate rural innovation (technological and institutional innovations) process through network building, social learning and negotiation using effective communicative interventions,
  • Collect and analyze information and translate this into easily manageable and understandable terms for use by the rural community,
  • Assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs/projects related to development initiatives in sustainable manners,
  • Conduct research in the areas of rural development, rural and agricultural extension, marketing, gender, development and sustainable development,
  • Identify and analyze problems related to rural development intervention,
  • Design and conduct trainings for specialized skill and knowledge in areas of rural development in agricultural colleges, universities and training centers,
  • Generate self-employment and establish and manage enterprise in their profession and related fields,
  • Formulate and advocate rural development policies and strategies
  • 3.        Academic Requirements

The medium of instruction for the program is ENGLISH

Successful completion of the Preparatory Program and meeting all the requirements set by the Federal Ministry of Science and Higher Education. For advanced standing applicants, the criteria shall be:

  • Completion of a diploma program/level IV with CoC/ in any related field,
  • Candidates from both natural and social science streams can be accepted,

When there is high competition for admission, grade point average at graduation, additional training after graduation, service year, gender and supporting letter from their employers shall be consider to offer the limited opportunities.

The duration of the study is four years for regular, five for evening and distance, and six full academic years for Bega/kiremet/ programs.

B.Sc. degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension will be awarded to a candidate who has fulfilled the general graduation requirements of the University. This includes, but not limited to, taking a minimum of 248 ECTS/251 Credit hours and earning CGPA greater than or equal to 2.00 with pass grade in all courses and No F grade in any course (s) is/ are taken.

English: Bachelor of Science Degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension

In Amharic: የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በገጠር ልማት እና ኤክስቴሽን

All courses will be given in parallel.

Assessment is carried out both as a continuous process during course delivery, which constitutes at least 50% weight in the total mark and final exam, which constitutes maximum of 50%. The assessment methods involved are summarized as follow:

For theory part course work

  • Continuous Assessment
    • Quizzes
    • Tests
    • Assignments
    • Project works
    • Class activity/attendance
    • Final exam

For research project, field practice and seminars

  • Field report writing
  • Quality of paper presented
  • Way of presentation
  • Defending material presented

Grading will be as per the Arsi University Legislation.

Quality assurance measures will be as per quality Assurance Policy of MoSHE, in addition to this the program of RDAE makes the following measures in order to evaluate and monitor the quality of teaching -learning process in the program:

  1. Holding regular meeting with stakeholders
  2. Designing institutional self-assessment (at the program level)
  3. Conducting Employer feedback surveys
  4. Carrying out College and University wide workshops