UoN sends 22 students on International Internship to Israel
The University of Nairobi’s Office of Career Services has been coordinating experiential learning internship opportunities in Israel for UoN students since the year 2017. So far, over 245 students have benefitted from the exchange program; 2017 (10 students), 2018 (15 students), 2019 (19 students), 2021 (50 Students), 2022 (56 students), 2023 (73 students) and in 2024 (22 Students).
The 11 months exchange program in Israel is aimed at training students mechanized agriculture and impart in them agricultural skills to help them transform the Kenyan Agricultural Sector when they return back home.
From the year 2017 to 2023, the students were attached at the Arava International Training Centre (AICAT) in Israel. In December 2024, a new partnership was established with the Ramat Negev International Training Centre where 22 students are being trained for 11 months. The students travelled to Israel on December 24, 2024.
The Ramat Negev Centre is an organization based in Israel that provides advanced studies and training in various agricultural fields to international students. The Centre maintains close relationships with over 50 farms in the Negev region, including kibbutzim, moshavim, and farms specializing in field crops, plantations, dairy, greenhouses, poultry, and more.
The program offered by the Centre lasts for 11 months and combines one day of theoretical studies per week with 4-5 days of hands-on training ("learning by doing") on farms. Students are accommodated in kibbutzim or moshavim, living on the farm or nearby. Studies include lectures and meetings with experts in various agricultural fields, all aligned with a detailed syllabus. The curriculum includes courses in plant physiology, irrigation principles, fertilization, vegetable production (greenhouses, net houses, and open fields), pest control, brackish water vegetable cultivation, vegetable quality control, agricultural management and entrepreneurship.
The students were taken through a pre-departure training on December 10, 2024. The pre-departure preparation training covered various areas including being Physically, Mentally, Financially and emotionally prepared for the program. Other areas covered included packing for international travel, departure from the JKIA airport, connecting flights at Dubai/Bole International Airport, arrival in Tel Aviv, Program Terms and Conditions, Financial Management Tips, Professionalism and 21st Century Skills.
This is a very commendable program for our students based on the principle of ‘Learning by Doing’, a winning combination of practical training on advanced and modern farming, theoretical studies, professional guided tours to different parts of Israel and community life providing the students with a unique and rich experience.
The Office of Career Services values this partnership with the Israel Government and looks forward to continued partnership in mentoring and creating a career path for our Agricultural students.
