PhD – Home Economics, Fashion Clothing and Textile
PROGRAMMES TO BE OFFERED
Professional PhD in Home Economics
Professional PhD in Fashion, Clothing and Textiles
PROGRAMME RATIONALE/JUSTIFICATION
The development of Vocational Education as a vehicle for scientific, technological and occupational advancement is dependent on the professionalism and expertise of those associated with imparting knowledge, skill and entrepreneurship in various aspects of the public sector, private sector and social economy. The social economy is made up of local development enterprises, public sector non-profits, social economy businesses and civil society organizations. These are organizations that deliberately address social objectives through economic action, often aimed at creating greater social and economic equality and opportunity for people and communities most disadvantaged in the current globalizing economy. Co-operatives, credit unions and non-profit community organizations, are all part of the Social Economy. The blending of social and economic objectives is taking root across the world as the best means to replace dependency and exclusion with self-determination and self-sufficiency.
The Professional Masters and PhD programmes in Home Economics (HEC), and Fashion, Clothing and Textiles (FCT) aim at using scientific approaches to provide both theoretical and practical skills required to meet the challenges of an emerging economy. The societal need for competent lecturers and dynamic entrepreneurs in Home Economics (HEC), and Fashion, Clothing and Textiles has imposed very serious pressure on the Department of Social Economy and Family Management to mount programmes that can provide students with the required skills to play effective leadership roles in planning, organization, management, teaching and research in these sectors at the higher level. The Postgraduate programmes of the department are designed to meet the needs of organizations, public institutions, educators, private sector operators, and other stakeholders. The overall goal is to develop competencies of students to face the challenges of the 21st Century as productive members of the workforce or job creators in their chosen careers.
Professional training in the Department will increase the students’ portfolio in terms of theories and application. It will as well provide trainees with scientific approaches towards rational thinking in their chosen areas of specialization.
With a curriculum that is duly tied to professional practice; the Postgraduate programme in Home Economics, and Fashion, Clothing and Textiles shall give an in-depth approach to strategic development in the Home Economics, Fashion design and Textiles industry.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Postgraduate Programmes are designed to train innovative and creative professionals in Home Economics and Fashion, Clothing and Textiles whose knowledge and budding scholarship ends with practical skills.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The professional Master and PhD programmes in Home Economics (HEC), and Fashion, Clothing and Textiles (FCT) aim to provide scholarly training to individuals who are qualified and willing to make a career in HEC and FCT in educational and other relevant institutions in the public, private and social economy sectors. Students will acquire the knowledge and technical skills for designing, manufacturing and maintaining products needed at all levels of the national economy and the Central and West African sub-regions.
Training in the Department is geared at equipping students with both theoretical and practical skills and attitudes required to function adequately within the context of an emerging and globalizing economy as leaders and managers in public, private and international organizations. On graduation, the students would be capable of engaging in the training of trainers to be able to cope with the changing technologies. Students will learn the techniques and skills of designing, manufacturing and maintaining products needed at all levels of an emerging modern society.
Specifically, the programme seeks to:
- Bridge the existing gap in Cameroon in general and in the HTTTCs in particular where training is limited only at the level of DIPET II diploma thereby creating a dire need of quality man power in this area of concern.
- Develop individuals that are competent in meeting the manpower and technological development needs in the nation’s food, clothing and allied industries.
- Create a coherent mesh between research and practice by ensuring that latest theories and applications in the HEC and FCT sectors are fully understood and implemented.
- Ensure a practice based approach that shall bring industry, enterprises and training together through internship, seminars and field trips.
- To provide current knowledge and trends in family and consumer education thereby ensuring food security and family crisis management in the nearest future.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Doctor of Philosophy (Professional PhD) in Home Economics
To be admitted into the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Professional PhD)
in Home Economics, a candidate shall have either or both of the following
Requirements
- A Master’s degree with thesis in Home Economics, Food and Nutrition, Fashion, Clothing and Textile
- A Master’s degree with thesis in Home Economics, Food and Nutrition, Fashion, Clothing and Textile or other related field plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE/DIPET II).
FEES
Fees per academic year is nine hundred thousand francs (900 000Fcfa)
COURSE DURATION AND GRADUATION:
The Professional PhD is a three-year fulltime Doctorate programme divided into six (6) semesters. The courses have been designed to integrate 50 percent theory and 50 percent practical including six weeks of internship in an organization and seminar presentation on research topics in Home Economics or Fashion, Clothing and Textiles. After completing both course work and practical requirements the student shall write a comprehensive exam at the end of the second semester of the second year. During the third year the student will present three seminars on their individual research interests in Home Economics or Fashion, Clothing and Textiles, and publish at least one article in a scientific journal as well as participate in one national or international conference. The format and submission of thesis shall be in conformity with guidelines laid down by the University of Buea. The programme will terminate with the public defense of a Doctor of Philosophy in Home Economics or Fashion, Clothing and Textiles. At the end of the course the student will graduate with a PhD in Home Economics or Fashion, Clothing and Textiles.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
This course will prepare its graduates for careers in:
- Human Resource Management
- Home Economics, Food and Nutrition
- Home Management, and Catering Services
- Hotel and Hospitality Management
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Fashion Design, Clothing and Textile
- Research, Outreach and Consultancy in Home Economics, Fashion, Clothing and textile
- Marketing and International Trade