Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
MSc students in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management are expected to be hosted by potential institutions for practical internships with the objectives of identifying and synthesis problems of society, environment, and other industries, applying knowledge and skill to provide solutions in the real environment, applying techniques and tools for describing, mapping, analyzing, and interpreting issues related to their field of study, describing and documenting indigenous knowledge, social and cultural interactions with ecosystems, developing leadership, interpersonal, teamwork, entrepreneurial, problem solving, and ICT skills.
Arrangement and implementation of apprenticeship involve: placement of students into group of five members with mix of diff disciplines; identification of task for project work; assignment of supervisors; identification and establishment of contact with potential hosting institutions; deploying students to attachment site; conduction of the intended project work; monitoring and evaluation of the apprenticeship program; writing, submission and presentation of the apprenticeship report; and assessing and grading students’ performance in apprenticeship. The apprenticeship program lasts for one month, and it always take place at the month of June or July every year. The project works for apprenticeship include: problem identification and analysis; adoption and introduction of technologies; identification and documenting indigenous knowledge; describing particular socio-ecological systems; inventorying and documenting indigenous animals or plants; identify the cause and driving factors for resource based conflict; investigate and document the Agro-biodiversity practices and related indigenous knowledge; and assessing the socioeconomic impact of climate change and ecosystem dynamics.
Climate Smart Agriculture
MSc students in Climate Smart Agriculture will have an internship program in which they are expected to share experiences with other colleagues and industry experts, create professional networks with various professional sand industries, experience working in teams (4 to 6), single out problems to be solved in the industries they are attached to, develop internship report and present their report, and recommend possible solutions to solve problems of industries.
The internship will be conducted when the students complete their course work for a period of four-six weeks. The students are exposed to have experience of working in the real world. They will also harness the skill, knowledge, and theoretical practice they learn in the course work. The internship will let students to get connected and develop professional networks to advance their professional career. In addition to these, it gives the opportunity to develop project proposal based on the needs of the industry/ organization they are attached to.
Admission Requirements
1. Applicants for MSc in Climate Smart Agriculture must hold a BSc or its equivalent in agricultural and environmental sciences and related fields; applicants from non-agricultural backgrounds may be required to take remedial/bridging courses to compensate for deficiencies as recommended by appropriate academic units.
2. Applicants for MSc Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (BCEM) must hold a BSc degree from a recognized university or college in biological and environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, wildlife management and ecotourism, natural resources management, forestry, geography, and related fields.
3. Male applicants must have a minimum Bachelor’s Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 or its equivalent. Female applicants must have a minimum Bachelor’s Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.75 or its equivalent.
4. Maximum age at the time of application: 30 years.
5. Applicants must pass an interview for admission into the programs of their choice (interviews will be conducted via Skype for students from countries other than Ethiopia and in person for those in Ethiopia).