Community Engagement Necessary in Research Works

The 34^th Annual Research, Extension and Community Engagement Review and Exhibition was held in Haramaya University’s Afran Kallo Hall and Resource Center for three consecutive days. The review was started with a discussion session with Eastern and Western Hararghe stakeholders. In attendance were model farmers, Development Agents (DAs), community elders, woreda and district administration representative and the HU’s managerial staff together with the University’s community. The discussion that was held in the local language, Afan Oromo gave the opportunity for the locals to express their concerns and appreciations with no difficulty.

Four presentations were made focusing on research extension activities of the University, activities undertaken by BENEFIT-ISSD in the area, community engagement and watershed management activities before the floor was opened for discussion. Many of the farmers were happy with the progress the University has made following the discussion they had last year on the 33^rd Annual Review and expressed their gratitude.

One model farmer expressed his appreciation for the fact that the University has acknowledged the need to work with the community, and raised whether or not research work on mango disease, which has become a severe threat to mango production in Babile area given enough attention. In response to this question, Prof. Nigussie Dechassa, Vice-president for Academic Affairs, said some activities are going on mango involving experts and professionals. In addition to these activities, a postgraduate student is also working on his PhD in mango, and hopefully, disease prevention and identification of insects that damage the fruit will also be taken as a research agenda by the University’s researchers.

The University’s focus on what the farmers called ‘less priority crops’ was another issue raised and it was commented that the University has not reduce its researches only to common beans and the ‘less priority crops’, rather its researchers and extension workers are heavily invested on crops such as maize and sorghum which are taken as the priority crops in the area. Prof. Nigussie said, “Common bean is still taken as a priority crop in many areas and it is a crop for export serving as a cash crop.’ Research on the bean as well as other crops will continue in the future too.” The two new maize varieties released in 2017 are clear indications of the University’s commitment to improve the livelihoods of the community.

The preparation and distribution of manuals along with technologies, the speed of technology dissemination, and the application and sever effect of chemicals on Khat were also issues raised during the discussion. Dr. Abera Deressa, the University’s Board Member, emphasized that research on Khat is not a priority for the Ethiopian Government and neither is it for Haramaya University; Prof. Nigussie iterated the University would not allocate public fund for undertaking research on the crop due to policy reasons. As for the preparation and distribution of manuals for newly adopted and released technologies, the manuals are prepared in the local languages, and are ready to be disseminated, but the University would also take it under advisement to provide manuals simultaneously with the release of technologies.

Opening up new primary schools in various rural areas and the support given to schools was also raised up by one attendee, and Prof. Kebede W/Tsadik, Vice-president for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development said, “More than 100 high schools have been supported. We cannot address all requests. We only do limited support. Our community engagement support is possible only when the community starts doing something and requires additional support from us. It cannot allocate the budget it receives from the government treasury to construct schools.” In line with this Dr. Abera said, “We […] need to know [the] responsibilities of the University. The major responsibility is human power development (teaching) while research and community engagement are the additional responsibilities …. All the different ministries and offices have their own responsibilities to fulfill. Educational offices should also fulfill their responsibilities and the University may support them.”

“The second rank the Grawa Hospital obtained among the hospitals in Oromia Region is because of the tremendous support it has obtained from the University,” said a representative from Gurawa. “But the BENEFIT-ISSD Project should also work in Gurawa Woreda, in addition to their ‘road-side’ efforts.” Mr. Dendena Gelmessa responded, the BENEFIT-ISSD Project is trying to include more woredas under its umbrella and Gurawa may be one of them.

Dr. Jemal Yousuf, Vice-president for Research Affairs, gave response to questions regarding groundwater potential and assessment in neighboring areas and he said identification and location of potential groundwater resource has already been secured, and implementation in collaboration with stakeholders will take place in the near future.

The Annual Review was held from 6-8 April, 2017 and more than 430 individuals attended the event. Under the research thematic areas, 57 scientific works were presented for review on the second and third day of the review. An exhibition displaying the various research, extension and community engagement activities of the University and its various organs was held and the response and feedback from the attendees was encouraging.

ዩኒቨርሲቲያችን በተከታታይ፣ በርቀትና በክረምት ትምህርት ለዩኒቨርሲቲው ማህበረሰብ እና አካባቢው የነፃ ትምህርት እድል ለመስጠት ጥቅምት 22 ቀን 2006 ዓ.ም ባፀደቀው ደንብና መመሪያ መሰረት መስፈርቱን የምታሟሉ ለመጀመሪያና ለሁለተኛ ዲግሪ ፕሮግራሞች በክረምት ትምህርት መርሃ-ግብር የነፃ ትምህርት እድል ለመወዳደር የምትችሉ መሆኑን እንገልፃለን፡፡

እያንዳንዱ አመልካች (ተወዳደሪ) ከዚህ ማስታወቂያ ጋር ተያይዞ    የተዘረዘሩትን የነፃ ትምህርት ዕድል መስፈርቶችን በማሟላት ይህ ማስታወቂያ ከወጣበት እለት አንስቶ እስከ ሚያዝያ 30 ቀን 2009 ዓ.ም ድረስ አስፈላጊውን መረጃዎችና ማስረጃዎች በማቅረብ  በተከታታይና ርቀት ትምህርት ዳይሬክቶሬት ጽ/ቤት በግንባር  በመቅረብ  በማመልከት መወዳደር የምትችሉ መሆኑን እናሳስባለን፡፡

ሀ. ለመጀመሪያ ዲግሪ የሚሰጥ የነጻ ትምህርት ዕድል መስፈርቶች

1. ሁለት ዓመትና ከዚያ በላይ ዩኒቨርሲቲውን ያገለገለ/ያገለገለች፤
2. ሕጋዊ የሆነ የጋብቻ ሰነድ የሚያቀርብ/የምታቀርብ፤(ለትዳር ባልደረባ ለሚጠይቁ)
3. የሥራ አፈፃፀም ግምገማ ውጤት የሚያቀርብ/የምታቀርብ፤
4. ባለፉት ሁለት ዓመታት ጊዜ ውስጥ በዩኒቨርሲቲው የዲሲፕሊን ኮሚቴ የዲሲፕሊን እርምጃ ያልተወሰደበት/ያልተወሰደባት፤
5. በዩኒቨርሲቲው ነጻ የትምህርት ዕድል ተጠቅሞ የማያውቅ/የማታውቅ እና
6. ነጻ የትምህርት ዕድል ተጠቃሚው/ተጠቃሚዋ የትዳር ባልደረባ ትምህርቱን/ቷን እስኪጨርስ/እስክትጨርስ ድረስ ነጻ የትምህርት ዕድሉን ያስገኘ/ች የትደር ባልደረባ ዩኒቨርሲቲውን ያለማቋረጥ ለማገልገል ህጋዊ የውል ስምምነት መፈረም፡፡

ለ. ለድህረ-ምረቃ (ሁለተኛ ዲግሪ) የሚሰጥ የነፃ ትምህርት ዕድል መስፈርቶች

1. አራት ዓመትና ከዚያ በላይ ዩኒቨርሲቲውን ያገለገለ/ያገለገለችና ቋሚ ሠራተኛ የሆነ/ች፤
2. የሥራ አፈፃፀም ግምገማ ውጤት የሚያቀርብ/የምታቀርብ፤
3. ባለፉት ሁለት ዓመታት ጊዜ ውስጥ በዩኒቨርሲቲው የዲሲፕሊን ኮሚቴ የዲሲፕሊን እርምጃ ያልተወሰደበት/ያልተወሰደባት፤
4. የነጻ ትምህርት ዕድል የተጠየቀበት የትምህርት መስክ ለዩኒቨርሲቲው በተለይ ደግሞ ለትምህርት/ለሥራ ክፍሉ የሚያበረክተው አስተዋጽኦ ለመኖሩ አሳማኝ መረጃ የሚያቀርብ/የምታቀርብ፤
5. በማንኛውም የትምህርት መስክ ሁለተኛ (ማስተርስ) ዲግሪ የሌለው/ላት፤
6. የነፃ ትምህርቱን ተምሮ/ራ ከጨረሰ/ች በኋላ ዩኒቨርሲቲውን ቢያንስ ለአራት ዓመት ለማገልገል ከዩኒቨርሲቲው ጋር ሕጋዊ ስምምነት ለመፈጸም ፈቃደኛ የሆነ/ች፡፡

Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court competition is the world’s largest and prestigious competition for law students across the world, with participants from more than 600 law schools. This year it will be held for 58th year starting from April 9-15 2017, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20005.

Moot courts simulate appellate legal proceedings before courts. In the case of the Jessup, students present oral and written pleadings before a mock panel representing the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

The Haramaya University College of Law team has been working on the competition since December 2016. The team is comprised of four years law students namely Ashenafi Debash, Mahlet Abraham, Muhidin Jemal and Biniyam Assefa.

The team prepared their written and oral submissions under the supervision of Bacha Daba, a Human Rights Laws and International Laws lecturer in the College of Law. The memorials were submitted to the organizers on 13 January 2017 and the oral submission begins on 10 April 2017. Currently our team is in Washington DC for the oral argument that will be held before a mock court representing the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

College of Law participates in many National, Regional and International Moot Competitions. Currently, there are around 6 teams to represent the College at different competitions. One of its teams has left for USA to participate in the Jessup Moot Competition on Public International Law. In addition, a team of four law students and one staff of the College have left on April 9 for South Africa to participate in the Moot Court Competition on Laws of World Trade Organization which is organized by European Law Students’ Association (ELSA).

The African Regional Round of this Competition is hosted by Rhodes University in Grahams Town, South Africa. The competition is to take place from April 10 to April 12, 2017.
The students representing the College at this competition are all fourth year students (Egzhikebra Engdayehu, Mulu Melese, Fitsum Girma and Belayhun Ashenafi). As usual, the help of Doctor Richard, Dean of College of Law, is immeasurable in all the current moot activities in the College in general and the ELSA Moot in particular.

Haramaya University conducted an international conference in connection with the newly established Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation.

The conference was held for three consecutive days from 20 to 22 April 2017  in  Haramaya University’s Resource Center. The objective of the conference was to review and validate new curricula that the University crafted in collaboration with its partners to establish the Centre of Excellence.  Subject-matter specialists drawn from Ethiopia, countries from eastern and southern Africa, Asia, Europe, USA, and Canada participated in the conference.

The participants that attended the conference from Ethiopia as well as abroad were predominantly from universities, research institutes, ministries, and other organizations that hold a stake and interest in the newly established Centre of Excellence. Senior faculty members of the University also participated in the conference. Delegates from partner Ethiopian institutions, namely, Mekelle University, Madda Walabu University, Jimma University, Oda Bultum University, Ministry of the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and Oromia Agricultural Research Institute were also present.

Welcoming the participants, Professor Nigussie Dechassa, leader of the Centre of Excellence and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, noted that in spite of the rapid economic growth Africa has been enjoying over the last two decades, the continent faces a serious shortage of skilled human power in fast-growing sectors such as agriculture, extractive industries, energy, water, and infrastructure, as well as in the fields of health and telecommunications. He pointed out that climate change seriously threatens crop production because of inadequacy of moisture in the soil, which is projected to get worse for most parts of the region, decreasing by about 20% in 2050. He revealed that as a result of climate change, currently, about 223 million people are already malnourished, and this figure would increase to 132 million by 2050.

Professor Nigussie also noted that human capacity deficit as well as curriculum irrelevance to the present and future needs of the socio-economic context of Africa are other plights, which bedevil the higher education system of the continent. Therefore, he indicated that sub-Saharan Africa needs its own research and innovative solutions to tackle its development challenges such as climate change. He revealed that that African Centres of Excellence have been initiated by the World Bank against this backdrop aimed at strengthening the capacities of African universities to deliver high quality training and applied research, to promote regional specialization in areas that address specific common regional development challenges, and to meet the demand for skills required for Africa’s development.

Opening the workshop, Professor Chemeda Fininsa, President of Haramaya University, welcomed participants and reiterated that a variety of climatological scenario forecast limit diversification options and livelihood transitions for agricultural systems as climate change reduces crop and livestock production. He said that new diseases and pests that affect crop and livestock are projected to appear, and biodiversity would be lost at alarming rates. Another dimension that he indicated was the question of access to education and the wide gap existing between need and demand especially for courses which are critical for rapid economic growth. He also indicated that gender inequity persists in enrolment and participation of females is still being under-represented in the higher education system of Africa. He also mentioned that in terms of facilities for delivering quality higher education and conduct of impactful research, more than 80% of the higher education institutions and research centres are poorly resourced.

In this workshop, two MSc curricula, namely, MSc Climate Smart Agriculture and MSc Biodiversity and Eco-System Management as well as one PhD curriculum, namely, Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation were thoroughly reviewed and improved during the three-day conference. External reviewers of the curricula were drawn from Makerere University in Uganda, RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture), Purdue University (USA), University of Guelph (Canada), International Rice Institute (India), Wageningen University (The Netherlands), and CABI International (Switzerland). Experts that worked as internal reviewers came from Addis Ababa University and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT).

The reviewers gave excellent feedback for improving the curricula. They first indicated the need to give the courses an African-wide perspective rather than a local perspective since it is meant for the whole of Africa rather than only Ethiopia. In this connection, they suggested that some of the preliminary narratives such as the introductions to the curricula should be re-visited and adjusted accordingly. In addition, the reviewers gave invaluable comments to clearly define core competencies (level of mastery), design a portfolio of courses (and accompanying exercises) to prepare students to achieve the target level of mastery. Furthermore, the reviewers suggested to clearly pinpointing evaluation systems, faculty mentorship, research component of the programme, and the need for publication of thesis research in peer-reviewed, high-impact journals to share results with scientific community. The need for exposing students to new technologies, approaches, industrial scale (Internships with private sector or advanced research institutes, student exchange with partners, visiting scholars, seminars by world-class experts, and participation/contribution at key conferences) was also suggested to be included.

It is recalled that the university won a competitive World Bank grant of 6,000,000 USD last year to establish the Centre of Excellence. Other counties of eastern and southern Africa region that won the World Bank grant for establishing various Centres of Excellence include Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda. It is also recalled that Addis Ababa University won the World Bank grant to establish three Centres of Excellence, namely, in drugs, water, and railway.

The objective of the Centre of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation is to produce skilled human capital for Africa through research-based quality post-graduate programmes and short-term, skill-based training courses. At the Centre, Master’s and PhD level training will be provided and applied research will be conducted focusing on generating climate smart agricultural technologies that promote and enhance practices of climate adaptation and mitigation for agriculture and sustainable conservation and utilization of biodiversity.

In addition, short term training programmes will be conducted targeting various stakeholders and partners, including technical staff, students, and faculties from regional, international, and national partners aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills in climate smart agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Regional, international, and national research partnerships will also be established and joint research conducted and publications produced in priority areas in the region.

The Centre of Excellence is expected to enrol and graduate a total of 30 PhD students and 80 MSc students at the end of the project year in 2022, out of whom at least 20% will have to be women and 25% will have to be students from Africa.

Closing the workshop, Professor Nigussie Dechassa commended the excellent feedback obtained from the reviewers, which included, inter alia, the need to view the Centre in an Africa-wide perspective since it is meant for the whole of Africa. He said that the Centre of Excellence would value the reviewers’ and other participants’ comments to re-define core competencies, re-arrange and re-align the portfolio of relevant courses with accompanying practical exercises required to prepare students to achieve the target level of mastery, include evaluation systems and relevant research components of the programme, and spell out the need for publication of thesis research in peer-reviewed, high-impact journals to share results with scientific community. He said that the valuable comments would be incorporated and the curricula finalized for implementation.

Finally, he thanked all reviewers, curriculum drafting committee members, partners, keynote speakers, panellists, facilitators, and organizers for their contributions to make the conference a success. He indicated that the three-day conference was a significant accomplishment that provided an action packed agenda, which included thought-provoking review reports, presentations, challenging group discussions that transpired new ideas and perspectives for improving the curricula.

Haramaya University received donation of three containers of books, medicine and medical supplies worth over seven million birr from Christian Relief Services, a humanitarian organization based in USA. The donation was handed over to the University by Mrs. Bethelhem Tessema, Executive Director of Christian Relief Services/Bread and Water for Africa on April 27, 2017 in Haramaya University’s Afran Kallo Hall.

On the occasion, Mrs. Bethelhem noted that the mission of her organization is to promote positive change in Africa by supporting and strengthening grassroots initiatives for community self-sufficiency, health, food security and education. Accordingly, she indicated that Christian Relief Services/Bread and Water for Africa along with donor organizations such as Books for Africa and MAP International have been rendering humanitarian services in eastern Ethiopia for the last six years in collaboration with Haramaya University and reassured that they will strengthen and continue their assistance in the future. She extended her appreciation to Prof. Augustine Sesay, Prof. Kebede Woldetsadik as well as the rest of the team from Haramaya University for playing pivotal role in linking the donor organization with the recipient community.

Dr. Belaineh Legesse, Vice-president for Administrative and Students Affairs, said, “The University has a plan to create model schools in 100km radius and the donation/support will help us to create  these  intended model schools.” He thanked the Christian Relief Services and said the University acknowledges Prof. Augustine Sesay.

The donation of books included 568 boxes of different subject areas that could serve as a reference material for high schools and preparatory schools. Prior consignment of over 77,000 books by the same organization was distributed to over 100 schools in East and West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Regional State, Harari Regional State and Dire Dawa Administration.  With the current donation, schools which were not reached during the previous rounds will be addressed.

Similarly, two containers each with medicine and medical supplies were also donated. The items will be used mainly for community health services by Hiwot Fana Specialized Teaching Hospital of Haramaya University; in addition to public health institutions working closely with the College of Health and Medical Sciences.

The University management expressed its appreciation to Christian Relief Services for the humanitarian support they were rendering over the last six year. Furthermore, it was noted that the University has been and will be transparent in delivering and making sure that the supports reach the target community and look forward for continued collaboration with the organization.

Fair planet in collaboration with Haramaya University and different organizations held an open day on vegetable production technology at the main campus of the University on April 29, 2017.

On the occasion, the founder of the organization, Dr. Shoshan Haran, acknowledged the collaboration of different organizations including Haramaya University, the regional Bureau of Agriculture, different seed companies, the Netherlands Government and Israeli volunteers for the realization of Fair Planet’s missions. She noted that Fair Planet is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase food security and provide new economic opportunities for farmers stuck in poverty. She indicated that Fair Planet is engaged in a unique and long-term technology transfer process: by facilitating access of smallholder farmers to seeds of the highest-quality vegetable varieties suitable for their needs, and at the same time, training them to use these seeds.

Dr. Haran further pointed out that seed companies provide access to their existing high quality varieties and respective know-how; eventually, they will gain access to new markets created through Fair Planet’s activities and ensure sustainable supply of seeds to smallholder farmers. Likewise, farmers gain access to high-quality seeds which enables them to grow and sell significant yields with minimal changes in their production technologies. The increased yield and additional income of these farmers will provide their families with greater food security along with new economic and educational opportunities.

Dr. Allon Haberfeld, a vegetable breeder from the Fair Planet team, disclosed that on the current year, Fair Planet has tested 34 tomato, 24 hot pepper and 13 onion varieties at Haramaya University. He indicated that, from previous seasons’ results, four varieties selected and released were tested on 70 farmers’ fields in Haramaya District and Harari Regional State. He noted that, from previous season’s harvest, farmers on average earned 20 to 30 thousand Birr from one-tenth of a hectare in Haramaya area while results from Dire Dawa showed 40 to 50 thousand Birr on similar plot of land,

University Officials, experts, development agents and farmers recognized and praised the work done by Fair Planet, particularly by the Israeli volunteers. They promised to collaborate with Fair Planet and Haramaya University and adopt the technology to their system because of its sustainability.

Representative of Dire Dawa Bureau of Agriculture, Mr. Mohammed, shared his experience and said they have already scaled up the technology and reached over 500 farmers during 2016 summer and that they are planning to reach more than 1000 farmers in 2017 summer. Likewise, Harai Region Bureau of Agriculture representative, Mr. Zekaria, acknowledged the technology of Fair Planet. Though they started late on 18 farmers’ fields and didn’t see the final result of the training and technology transfer activity yet, from what they observed so far, he indicated that they are satisfied and plan to scale it up to 500 farmers in the next fiscal year.

Harmaya District, on the other hand, was found to be low adopter of the technology because of farmers’ fear that tomato and other warm season vegetables could be damaged by frost in addition to sensitivity to foliar diseases during rainy periods. However, after two years of training and demonstration, some farmers have changed their attitudes and started showing interest. As a result, the district’s Bureau of Agriculture has disclosed its plan to scale up the program at least to 500 farmers during next season using irrigation.

Finally, participants visited the experimental field in Haramaya University as well as some of the farmers’ fields and showed great enthusiasm seeing the activities underway.

Office of Research Affairs has celebrated Tony Farm Day on May 23, 2017. The event took place at Tony Farm in Dire Dawa City Administration recognizing site mangers from the 10 sites under Haramaya University. Nine individuals from these sites were given recognition for the work they have done so far.

According to Mr. Admkew Haile, Director for Research Facilities Management Directorate, Tony Farm was selected to host the event based on the tremendous work being undertaken at the site. He said, “Within this budget year, 3841 farmers have been reached by the Office in collaboration with other stakeholders.” Mr. Admkew added that the support given so far scales 6 million Birr.

Dr. Jema Yousuf, Vice-president for Research Affairs, expressed his delight and emphasized that the encouragement and recognition would still continue in the future. He said, “Those who were recognized here [on the event] achieved what they set out to do only with the help of the rest of the employees and this is also a recognition to all of you all.”

Many of the workers were very glad for the occasion and recognition as it shows the University’s commitment to support them in their work. Mr. Asayehegn, a Tony Farm worker, said, “Because the University has been encouraging us, this was possible. We would like to thank the University management for giving us their time like this and for recognizing the efforts that we have put through.”

The conflict with Dire Dawa University on the ownership of the Farm, lack of transportation to transport the farm products, lack of manpower and limitation of water resources together with water pipelines were issues raised during the discussion session. The employees have also raised the lack of clinic and transportation. They said the University should allocate a vehicle to the Farm so when employees are injured while working on field, they can be taken to health facilities immediately.

In response to these requests and inquiries, Dr. Jemal said the Office could arrange for a multi-purpose tractor to be bought for the site so that employees do not have to carry the farm products. He said it might be hard to establish a clinic for the number of the employees in the Farm are limited but the University could arrange for medical treatments at health facilities around the area.

Dr. Mengistu Ketema, Director for Research Extension and Publications Directorate, said the issue with Dire Dawa University is being handled by the boards of the two universities and there is hope that then situation will be conducted and solved in a civilized manner. The University has made contact with DDU and is awaiting their response on the matter.

This is the second time that the Office has held such an event and the Farm workers have said this trend should continue in other sites as well as other offices of the University. The Farm workers presented gifts to the Office, Mr. Admikew Haile and Mr. Shibru Wakjira, Site Manager for Tony Farm.

ሐረር ኢዜአ ግንቦት 17/2009 መንግስት መልካም አስተዳደርን ለማስፈንና ሙስናን ለመከላከል የጀመረውን ጥረት አጠናክሮ ለማስቀጠል  እንደሚሰሩ  የሐረማያ  ዩኒቨርሲቲ  የዘንድሮ  ዓመት  እጩ  ተመራቂ  ተማሪዎች ገለጹ። ዩኒቨርሲቲው ለዘንድሮ ዕጩ ተመራቂ  ተማሪዎቹ  ሙስናን  መከላከል  በሚቻልበት  መንገድ፣ በመልካም  አስተዳደርና  በስነ ምግባር  ጽንሰ  ሃሳቦች ላይ  የሰጠው ስልጠና  ተጠናቋል። በስልጠናው  ከተሳተፉት  ተማሪዎች  መካከል የአምስተኛ ዓመት የህግ ተማሪ አማኑኤል ተሬሳ እንደገለጸው ተማሪዎች  መልካም  ስነ ምግባርን  ከመላበስ  ጀምሮ  መንግስት በተለያዩ  ተቋማት የሚታዩትን  የመልካም አስተዳደርና የሙስና ችግሮችን ለመከላከል እያከናወነ የሚገኘውን ጥረት ማጠናከር እንዳለባቸውና ለእዚህም መዘጋጀቱን ተናግሯል። በገጠር ልማትና የግብርና  ስርጸት  ትምህርት ዕጩ  ተመራቂ  የሆነችው  ሔለን  ዋጋው  በበኩሏ፣  ወደሥራ  ስትሰማራ ሕብረተሰቡን  በቅንነትና በታማኝነት  ማገልገልና  የመልካም  አስተዳደርና  የሙስና  ችግሮችን  መከላከል  ቀዳሚ  ተግባሯ  መሆኑን  አስረድታለች። በተለይ ብልሹ  አሰራሮችን  ከማስወገድ ጎን ለጎን ሥራ ፈጥሮ በመንቀሳቀስ  እራሷን፣ ቤተሰቧንና ማህበረሰቡን የሚጠቅም  ተግባር ለመፈጸም ማቀዷን ገልጻለች። በየዘርፉ የተጀመሩ የልማት እንቅስቃሴዎች ተጠናክረው እንዲቀጥሉ የበኩሏን ጥረት እንደምታደርግም ጠቁማለች። የዩኒቨርሲቲው ፕሬዚዳንት ፕሮፌሰር ጨመዳ ፊኒንሳ በበኩላቸው እንዳሉት ሙስና፣ የመልካም አስተዳደርና  የኪራይ ሰብሳቢነት  ችግሮች  ለልማት እንቅፋት  በመሆናቸው  እነሱን  መከላከል  የእጩ  ተመራቂ  ተማሪዎች  ቀዳሚ  ተግባር መሆን አለበት። ተማሪዎቹ  በመደበኛ  የትምህርት  ጊዜያቸውና  በስልጠናው  የቀሰሙትን  ዕውቀት ወደ  ተግባር  በመለወጥ  የመንግስት ሀብትና  ንብረት ለታለመለት  ዓላማ ብቻ  እንዲውል የክትትልና  የቁጥጥር  ስራቸውን ማጠናከር  እንዳለባቸው አስገንዝበዋል። የሐረማያ ዩኒቨርሲቲ በዘንድሮ ዓመት በተለያዩ  የትምህርት ፕሮግራሞች ከ7 ሺህ በላይ ተማሪዎችን በመጀመሪያ፣ በሁለተኛና  በሦስተኛ ዲግሪ ያስመርቃል ተብሎ ይጠበቃል፡፡

The School of History and Heritage Management has organized the National Conference on Socio-Economic History of Eastern Ethiopia on June 23 and 24, 2017 in the University. The papers presented at the conference cover diverse historical and heritage topics of national importance such as: History of Railway in Hararghe; Harari Coins: A History Of Hirna Town; Indigenous Knowledge in Gara Mul’ata, Tulo and Jarso; The Gumma Customary Institution among the Oromo Pastoralists; Traditional and Modern Conflict Resolution Mechanisms among the Ethiopian Somalis; Historic Relationship between Dire Dawa and Djibouti; Inter-Ethnic Interactions and integrations in Harar Plateau; A Social History of Hararge Tenants; Dawa Center-periphery relations in Jarso-Girhi district Potential Tourism Routes Eastern Ethiopia and Cultural Heritage Conservation in Kezira, Dire.

Mandela Washington Fellowship is a flagship program of the United States that recruits young African  leaders to provide them with advanced leadership training in the US. Ms.Gebreala, a staff member of  college of law is selected as participant at the fellowship. The fellowship was initiated by former president Barack Obama. The program has four tracks. Trainees apply to public management, civic leadership, business and entrepreneurship track and energy management track. Ms.Gebreala will be participating in the civic leadership track. The fellowship will begin the coming June 16 in the US in 25 different universities that will be hosting 1000 young Africans. Each university will host a mix of young  African leaders from different countries and from different backgrounds. Ms.Gebreala is allotted in  University of Lincoln.

Mandela Washington Fellowship is a very competitive program Ms. Gebreala says. Participants have to go through a rigorous selection process to join the program. The selection starts with an online application  and those who are shortlisted are interviewed at the Embassy of the United States in Ethiopia. Ms. Gebreala added that there were 4000 applicants this year of which 150 were shortlisted and 50 were selected from the interview. Ms. Gebreala is engaged in community services on women rights issues. She volunteered with a local non-governmental organization to work on a research titled assessment of violence against women in Addis Ababa in 2013. Later she joined Ethiopian women lawyers association as regular volunteer at the association. She is working as legal advisor and community outreach program officer. She is engaged in providing legal aid services to women and mediates family disputes. She also initiated community outreach services to train young high school students on gender based violence. Ms.
Gebreala is also online volunteer to an organization called Safety First for Girls based in Zambia.

Ms.Gebreala mentioned community services are essential in a capital constrained country like Ethiopia. She added it’s a means for young professionals to pay it forward to their communities. The fellowship in this regard is a milestone in ones leadership endeavors. It enables young leaders to get acquainted with advanced technical skills and to network with professionals and other young leaders. Though Ms.Gebreala was selected in the civic leadership track she said the public management track, energy track and the entrepreneurship track are available to leaders who are interested in public affairs, energy management and businesses respectively. Ms.Gebreala said she encourages staff members and students to apply for Mandela Washington Fellowship program as well as to Young African Leadership Initiative Regional Leadership Center (YALI RLC) which is another leadership initiative designed and funded by the United States and is centered in Nairobi, Kenya. We would like to congratulate Ms. Gebreala on her selection to the program and here by provide the links she suggested readers visit to apply for the next round of YALI RLC and Mandela Washington Fellowship.
https://yali.state.gov/washington-fellowship
www.yalieastafrica.org

Eastern Ethiopia is historically known for its rich natural and human resources. Most likely due to its historical and geographical position; the region has accumulated rich socio-cultural values and economic practices that could accommodate the overall interests of many communities in the area. However, there is also a clear knowledge gap in understanding the region’s history and sober historical analysis.

Towards this end, College of Social Sciences and Humanities has conducted a national conference on the socio economic history of Eastern Ethiopia from June 23-24/ 2017.

President of Haramaya University (HU), Prof. Chemeda Fininsa, in his opening speech stated that deep knowledge and understanding of the region’s socio-economic history and detail analysis would assist the society, policy makers and researchers to tackle socio-economic problems wisely and knowledgably. Although the region’s socio-economic studies might have been done by individuals at different levels and scopes sparsely, they remained scattered and were not well-documented to be better used. In addition, little academic forums have been organized to discuss past socio-economic history of the region. Therefore, this conference can be taken as a renewed interest to deliberate on and cross fertilize experts’ ideas on the socio-economic history of eastern Ethiopia.

Prof. Chemeda also mentioned that this national conference is the first of its kind to be organized by the University. The conference is expected to indicate how indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms can be used and to identify cultural heritages that can be developed for tourism development and economic prosperity in the region.

Dr. Adinew Taddess, Dean of CSSH, in his welcoming remarks explained that the School of History and Heritage Management took the initiative in organizing this national conference. He said the conference brings scholars and expertise from across the country who can share their rich scholarly knowledge on the socio-economic history of Eastern Ethiopia. It can also serve as a forum to share ideas, methods, sources and identification of knowledge gap in the region. In addition, it can serve as a forum to start thinking on how to re-write peoples history from below.

In the two days, a total of eighteen research papers were presented by different researchers and

More than 100 participants attended from different concerned regional and federal government offices, organizations and institutions as well as individual researchers and professionals who made a research on the four conference themes: Social History, Economic History, Institutional History and Tourism and Heritage.

Dr. Mohammed Hassen, Assistant Professor in History and Heritage Management Program, indicated that in an attempt to address challenges in this area, the School strongly believes that one possible initial intervention would be to understand the social and economic history of the province through a symposium.

Conference attendees have also expressed the merits of having such conferences to unearth the socio-economic history of the region as well as its potential and actual tourism heritages. It has also been indicated that the University should make such activities its culture.

This national conference is expected to build the image of the University, as it is strategically located in the Eastern region of the country; and therefore, can build its image as a center of excellence in the field of social sciences as it did in other fields of studies. Moreover, as part of a project to write the history of Eastern Ethiopia with new sources, methods and perspectives it will initiate new interests in documenting and developing research endeavors and augmenting best practices in the socio-economic history of Ethiopia. Lastly, it will also serve as a document for policy briefing for decision makers on issues concerning Eastern Ethiopia.

College of Computing and Informatics certified CISCO Network Academy trainees on June 15, 2017 at Haramaya University Resource Center.

Prof. Chemeda Fininsa, President of Haramaya University, in his opening speech underlined that such kind of industrial trainings are very important to students to compete in the job market as well as create their own businesses.

According to Mr. Seifu Neda, Dean of CCI, “CISCO Network Academy at Haramaya University was established in 2006 with the aim of building the capacity of staff and students in the area of networking. Currently, HU CISCO Networking Academy is offering courses in IT Essential: PC Hardware and Software, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing & Switching (CCNA) and Cisco CCNA Security.” Mr. Seifu said a total of 152 trainees have successfully completed the training given in the 2016/17 academic year.

In the ceremony discussion was held to identify ways to enhance the service of the Academy. The Academy is chaired by Dr. Belaineh Legesse, Vice-president for Administration and Student Affairs.

Certificate awards were given to participants by Prof. Chemeda and the ceremony was attended by higher officials, college deans, directors and staff of the College and students.

The training was given in collaboration with CCI, ICT Directorate and Directorate of Continuing and Distance Education.

College of Computing and Informatics and College of Natural and Computational Sciences conducted curriculum review workshops on June 16 and June 17, 2017 at Resource Center.

CCI held the curriculum review on MSc in Computer Science while CNCS presented three draft curricula in PhD and MSc in Chemistry and PhD in Physics.

Prof. Nigussie Dechassa, Vice-president for Academic Affairs, in his opening speech during CCI’s workshop said, “The College of Computing and Informatics is progressing rapidly by registering achievements in diversifying programs at all levels by offering quality postgraduate program at MSc levels.” He added that in recent years, technology work has increasingly focused on outcome based approaches in practicum fields like mobile computing, database systems, and image processors, high market oriented software languages, to design and describe qualifications to set standards and influence assurance.

The BSc Program under the College was a significant milestone to the University when it was established and the MSc Programs is expected to produce trained manpower catering to the needs of industries.

Mr. Seifu Neda, Dean of CCI,  briefly presented the steps followed by the College to develop the draft curriculum of the program and said the College took almost two years to come up with the draft curriculum. He also said the program is the first of its kind in the eastern part of the country and has high demand in the area.  Mr.Seifu said the College is ready in terms of human resources, laboratories as well as collaborators to launch the program in the next academic year.

On the other hand, most of the curricula proposed by CNCS, as confirmed by the reviewers and participants, were confirmed to be need based and essential for the realization of the country’s Development and Transformation Agenda.

Internal and external reviewers had deeply gone through each and important points to be included merged as well as added in the proposed curricula. Participants of the workshop reflected their concerns, suggestions and comments to enrich the draft curricula. The draft curricula are expected to be presented to the University senate, and MoE, and if approved, the programs will launch soon.