Overview

Welcome to the Development Sciences Department under the Faculty of Development and Behavioural Sciences, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST). The department is a key cog in achieving MUAST’s vision of becoming “a leading academic institution in the provision of technology-driven sustainable agricultural solutions and entrepreneurship at national, regional and international level”. Its mission is to produce “competent skilled and knowledgeable graduates, transforming agricultural communities and industries through innovative teaching and learning, research, university service and innovation and industrialisation”. Anchored in the global, regional, and national development imperatives, the Development Sciences department’s establishment aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and Zimbabwe’s Vision of attaining middle-income status by 2030 and Education 5.0. In the beckoning Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era, where digital technologies are increasingly being leveraged, the department strives to prepare graduates through research, teaching and learning to contribute meaningfully to critical development issues such as poverty eradication, inequality reduction, climate resilience, economic transformation, industrialisation, sustainable innovation and community engagement. The department ensures that MUAST produces globally accepted and competent graduates who are well-equipped to tackle complex development challenges with innovative and locally relevant solutions.

In pursuit of the Faculty of Development and Behavioural Sciences vision underpinned by MUAST’s unique mandate: Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the Development Sciences department currently offers one programme: Development Sciences and Policy. This programme equips students with the analytical and practical skills to formulate, implement, and evaluate initiatives and interventions that promote sustainable development. Key focus areas include development theories, practices and praxis. The goal is to produce graduates who can be the leading strategists in driving impactful change in communities and organisations. Thus, the department prepares students for development-oriented career opportunities that are not limited to development practitioners, policy advisors, public officials, project managers, researchers, and sustainability specialists across various sectors of the economy. These prospective career paths for our graduates define our department as a transformative educational gateway in addressing pressing development challenges and contributing to a better future for Zimbabwe, Africa, and the world by fostering heritage, 4IR technologies, research, industrialisation, and a commitment to sustainable innovation.