University of Makeni UNIMAK Department of Development Studies
University of Makeni UNIMAK Department of Development Studies – Details:
Department Profile
The department of Development Studies is one of the largest and oldest departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Makeni. Since its inception in 2005 under the Fatima Institute, the department has made tremendous progress in students’ enrolment, completion, and job placement – in terms of positioning them for the world of work. The key to the department’s success lies in the premium placed on preparing a new generation of development practitioners and policy designers who can create jobs and help tackle the challenges of building a sustainable and equitable society.
Being a department that engages in the training of development practitioners and policy designers, our curriculum is tailored towards addressing issues of economics, politics, social and environmental challenges that are today critical to achieving the sustainable development goals.
Their core aim and mission are centered around providing quality training for our students to be able to recognize and critically analyse the development challenges of communities and design development policies and strategies that provide effective solutions to these challenges. In this regard, their programmes are designed specifically for those who are:
- Employed in the public sector and NGOs who are eager to keep up with best practices around the globe.
- Fresh school leavers wishing to study and make development a career.
- Policy makers wishing to update their knowledge and sharpen their skills in development.
- Project/programme directors/consultants wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the critical issues in development and research.
Students wishing to pursue courses in the department of Development Studies need to meet the following requirements:
- For a one year Certificate programme, candidate must have three (3) credits WASSC/GCE O’Levels in not more than two sittings.
- For a two year Diploma programme, candidate must have four (4) credits WASSC/GCE O’Levels in not more than two sittings including English Language.
- For the four years Degree programme, candidate must have five (5) credits WASSC/GCE O’Levels in not more than two sittings including English Language.
NOTE: candidates with four (4) credits WASSC/GCE O’Levels including English Language, with a H.T.C. Secondary or a Diploma in Development Studies from UniMak may also be considered for the Bachelor of Arts programme.
Their key mandates as a department include:
- Teaching
- Research
- Community service
Working towards meeting the above mandate, the department has designed and introduced the following annual and semester programmes and activities:
- Short Term Courses
- Community Resident Internship (CRI)
- Adult Education
- Community Peace-Building Campaign (CPC)
- Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
- Visit to Poverty
- Annual Development Studies Seminar (ADSS)
In addition to the above, the department has also established a student led society, the Development Studies Society (DSS) which is purely operated and run by students.