ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE is an initiative and institution that will serve as a vessel to create solutions both locally and internationally. The vision of ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE is twofold. On the one hand, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University in South Africa, it will be the research centre for global warming and climate change.
This research centre will offer an opportunity for international research partners to come and do research in a country that is ideally located for research on climate change. Countries which have to pay carbon tax will also be able to send individuals to this research centre to get rebate on this carbon taxes.
On the other hand, the college will train young individuals to make use of precision farming and new technologies to create food security, new job opportunities and long term sustainability through agriculture and education. With a specific focus on combating climate change, and by concentrating expertise at ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE we can promote collaboration and use best practices around a specific focus area to drive results.
Program Summaries
National vocational certificate in machinery and infrastructure
Level 1 of this qualification recognises people who have competencies for performing farm machinery and infrastructure tasks, while Level 2 recognises people who have competencies required for performing agricultural tasks.
Duration: Level 1 – One year (Certificate); Level 2 – One year (Certificate).
National vocational certificate in horticulture and crop husbandry
Level 2 of this qualification recognises people who have the competencies required for performing agricultural tasks in agronomy and horticulture. Level 3 recognises people who have the competencies required for performing agricultural tasks in the horticulture and crop husbandry industry
Duration: Level 1 – One year (Certificate}; Level 2 – One year (Certificate).
National vocational certificate in livestock husbandry
The Level 2 qualification recognises people who have the competencies required for performing livestock husbandry tasks and Level 3 recognises people who have the competencies required for performing agricultural tasks related to livestock husbandry.
Duration: Level 1 – One year (Certificate}; Level 2 – One year (Certificate).
National vocational certificate in agriculture (Level 4)
This qualification recognises people who have the competencies required for assisting in managing agricultural enterprises.
Duration: 1 year (Certificate)
National vocational diploma in Farm management (Level 5)
This qualification recognises people who have the competencies required for managing agricultural enterprises.
Duration: 1 year (Diploma)
Bachelor of Agriculture
The Bachelor of Agriculture enables students to develop specialised knowledge, expertise, production and management skills that are required for sustainable agricultural production.
Duration: 3 years
The Vision
ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE is dedicated to be renowned as an institution of excellent higher education, meeting local, personal, occupational and national development needs through effective management and holistic designed qualifications, which is recognised by local and international stakeholders.
The Values
Our values influence our behaviour and give purpose to our lives. We seek to ensure that all students and the entire college community make a difference and are able to develop the following core-shared values:
– Christian ethos
– Pursuit of knowledge and commitment to excellence.
– Self-awareness, respect and acceptance of others.
– Social and civic responsibility.
– Environmental responsibility.
The target group
ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE is intended to provide opportunities for individuals who completed their secondary school level (Grade 10 or 12) who intend to follow an agricultural route of education which is linked to a business base. The College offers unique course structures which are intended to allow students to acquire skills that enable them to be gainfully employed and/or start their own businesses.
Key aims of the program
– Offer a viable learning and development opportunity and alternative for youths that wish to follow an agricultural route of education which is linked to a business base.
– Reduction of youth unemployment
– Poverty alleviation, food security, climate change management and social development
– Development of youth who are socially responsible and who can contribute meaningfully to National development initiatives
– To create self-sustaining entrepreneurs who are creative and innovative thinkers
AN INSTITUTION TO CREATE CHANGE:
Apart from the courses focusing on agricultural training, students will also follow courses additional compulsory physical education, life skills courses, and precision farming courses and a project plan for all students to ensure food security and combating the results of climate change and water scarcity, all as part of the character building and personal development of every student, in order to contribute to their success and independence in the real world of work. Partnerships will be forged with business, industry and community organisations across the country.
On completion of the courses, students will also have the capacity to create their own employment and employment for others, thus contributing to poverty alleviation, food security and national development. Namibia now has the opportunity, through the ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, to train young farmers to ensure food security for a whole country through education and agriculture.
With the knowledge and skills taught at ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Namibians will be able to make a positive change to their individual and our country’s future, by being skilled workers and successful entrepreneurs in the agriculture field, continuously striving to create more jobs and improve the quality of life for more Namibians. The passion for education and agriculture are combined in this ‘first of its kind’ nationwide project.
Bridging Science and Practice
– Help stakeholders understand and use relevant science.
– Help articulate priority research needs to science communities.
– Publicize and encourage effective activities within Namibia that bridge science and practice.
Advisory Services
– Technical guidance on how to utilize relevant climate science and climate data in developing policies.
– Training on assessment methodologies relevant to climate mitigation and adaptation.
– Provision of focused briefs and alerts on science and policy developments relevant to Namibian Officials and Key Role Players.
Education / Training
– Capacity building of experts/professionals or practitioners to address climate change issues in planning, design and management of projects.
– Coaching, mentoring and trainings to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology related to managing risk and reducing vulnerabilities to Climate Change.
– Provide a venue and network to accommodate ongoing education and training needs.
Communications and Outreach
– Become an effective venue for identifying practical solutions to common challenges related to climate mitigation and adaptation.
– Produce and share information across stakeholders.
– Build community of practice and network.
– Provide a mechanism for organizing personnel exchanges that help meet critical climate needs (e.g. visiting scholar programs)
ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND THE FOCUS ON GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The time is ripe for bold leadership in Namibia regarding climate change and ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE can play a crucial role in this. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel in Climate Change) Assessment Report 5 published in 2014 confirmed that warming of the climate system globally is unequivocal. Important steps taken within the coming couple of years will determine the well-being of Namibians for generations to come. Innovation is required and ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE’s focus on climate change is the right innovation for Namibia. It strikes an appropriate balance between change and continuity, aiming to empower existing stakeholders working within existing mechanisms and structures to be as effective as possible in formulating and achieving climate-related goals. The primary focus should be on working within Namibia and Southern Africa, but ROOTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE will also devote significant effort at the international and regional level, and especially within Africa.