Head of Department
The Department of Agricultural Engineering is one of the five departments in the School of Engineering at the University of Zambia. The department was established in 1974 under the School of Agricultural Sciences. The department offered courses to support the general agricultural science degree programme. Then, students studying for the degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences could opt to graduate with a strong bias in agricultural engineering related subjects such as irrigation and drainage or farm mechanisation. During the period leading up to 1985 the agricultural engineering requirements of the agricultural industry were examined in detail by a committee set up by the Schools of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences. The committee recommended that a Bachelor of Engineering degree programme in agricultural engineering be started immediately at the University of Zambia. The Department of Agricultural Engineering was consequently transferred to the School of Engineering in 1987 where it was established as its fifth department
In a world of steadily changing demands, the face of agricultural engineering has changed dramatically over the last hundred years and further new challenges will have to be faced in future. Education and training in agricultural engineering will continue to provide the human foundation for the further development of this important technical area by assuring food security for future generations and a sustainable use of the natural resources. In an era of globalization it is obvious that agricultural engineering curricula for educational and training programmes should not now be viewed in national isolation.
Objectives of the Agricultural Engineering Programme:
Graduates with a BEng degree in Agricultural Engineering should be able to:
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering solve engineering problems in the agricultural industry.
- Design systems, components, or processes to meet desired needs for agricultural production within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability; communicate effectively.
- Function on multi-disciplinary teams involving other engineers and professionals.
- Identify, formulate, and solve diverse engineering problems with a specific bias to agricultural production.
- Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
- Answer to the needs of the agricultural industry in Zambia
Undergraduate Programmes in the Department
Postgraduate Programmes in the Department
Short Courses
- Farm Irrigation Systems:
- Target group: Agricultural Engineers, Agronomists, and on-farm irrigation managers. Duration: 10 Days
- Food Processing and Utilisation
- Target group: small-scale food processors, Supervisory from the food industry, and MAFF extension workers. Duration: 3 Days
