For a period of 11 months, the University of Nairobi has sponsored an annual internship program for agriculture students in conjunction with the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT).
The center annually teaches more than 1,000 students from academic institutions, mostly in Africa and Asia.
Among the Kenyan institutions that have benefited from the initiative are the University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Kenya Water Institute, Turkana County, and Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology.
Based on the idea of "Learning by Doing," AICAT's internship program offers students a distinctive and in-depth learning opportunity through a successful blend of theoretical studies, practical training in modern and advanced farming, professional guided tours of Israel, and involvement in community life.
Since 2017, 93 students have been enrolled in the program through the University of Nairobi's Office of the Dean of Students.
After returning home, the majority of the students started active farming and agriculture initiatives, while some others were awarded master's scholarships in the US and Israel to further their education.
A total of 57 University of Nairobi students have been selected for the program for the academic year 2022–2023 by the Office of Career Services, out of 56 applicants. AICAT has nominated one Student Leader to return and lead the whole Kenyan team while in Israel.
The faculties of agriculture, veterinary medicine, and biosystems engineering collectively account for 56 students.
At the beginning of the agricultural season in August 2022, 36 students already traveled to Israel. They were given farms to which they will be linked for the following 11 months.
On September 2, 2022, the final 21 depart for Israel.
The students will be linked to a number of farms that specialize in date, chili, eggplant, tomato, cherry, melons, watermelons, table grapes, herbs, and dairy farming.
Mechanized agriculture with drip irrigation is the agricultural method.
The program's major goal is to provide students with professional, theoretical, and practical knowledge and skills in advanced agricultural studies.
The Office of Professional Services appreciates this cooperation with AICAT and looks forward to working together to mentor and help our agricultural students choose a career path in the future.
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