H.E Mr. Peter Doyle, Ambassador of Australia to Ethiopia, had made a visit to Haramaya University. H.E was hosted in the Office of the President of the University. The acting President of the University, Dr Jemal Yousuf, briefed H.E about the rich history of Haramaya University’s in international partnership and its immense contribution to the national development endeavor of the country. Potential common areas of interest for collaboration with Australian universities were also among key point of discussion.

Accompanied by Dr. Jemal, H.E. Ambassador Peter Doyle visited some of the research premises and farms on campus such vegetable experiment station where performance of verities of tomato, pepper and onion are being tried using modern drip irrigation technology and traditional furrow irrigation.

He was also briefed about animal (diary and poultry) farm and research, which include ongoing experiment of African Chicken Genetic Gain, aimed at selection of best performing chicken breed adaptive to local condition. Overall he was briefed about the strategic alliance of the tri-mandates of the university – teaching, research-extension and community engagement being underway in collaboration with overseas partners.

የሐረማያ ዪኒቨርሲቲ ከዚህ በታች በተዘረዘሩት ክፍት የስራ መደቦች ላይ ቋሚ ሠራተኞችን አወዳድሮ በቋሚነት ለመመደብ ይፈልጋል፡፡

Mathematics Department in collaboration with the College of Natural and Computational Sciences (CNCS) organized a public lecture on “Computational Modeling of Fluid Flows and Heat Transfer in Engineering and Biological Systems” on May 02, 2019 at University`s Resource Center.

The lecture was delivered by Prof. Oluwole Daniel Makinde from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He presented the advantage of Computational Modeling of Fluid Flows and Heat Transfer in Engineering and Biological Systems. Prof. Makinde used practical examples like heat transfer mechanism (conduction convection and radiations) and current trends of coolant in engineering systems, disease epidemiology, runoff, and aerodynamics to illustrate mathematical modeling. He also showed the multidisciplinary characteristics of the field to encourage participants to develop the culture of working together. “It is unlikely to succeed if you work alone,” He said, “Mathematical modeling requires the involvement of diverse experts in the project under investigation.”

He also used the forum to encourage mathematicians to be bold enough in implementing the theoretical knowledge gained to be translated into the public goods through collaboration with specialists from the field of agriculture, engineers and medical practitioners.

Prior to the lecture session, Mr. Arbsie Yasin, Coordinator of the event and a lecturer under the Department, pointed out the main objective of the lecture is to craft collaboration between Mathematics Department of HU and Mathematics Department of Stellenbosch University, as HU is contemplating to launch a PhD program in the coming academic year in Mathematics.

During the welcoming speech, Dr. Getachew Abebe, Dean of CNCS, appreciated the effort made by the Department in launching and sustaining new postgraduate program through forging linkages with universities abroad. It was said that mathematical research, which was unthinkable some years back in the department, is now becoming a reality. “Public talks like this could stimulate young mathematician to initiate and embark on research activity” added Dr. Getachew.

As part of an endeavor to launch HU-Innovation Community, foster academic entrepreneurship, and create business startups, the Office of University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development in partnership with IBA-Ethiopia Center of Innovation hosted an innovation summit on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

The summit was an opportunity to launch and build the capacity of the innovation community to participate in the upcoming African Innovation Week, of which international investors and entrepreneurs gathered to provide funding for academic entrepreneurs in Africa.

Access to seed money, finance from venture capitalists, angel investors, international financial institutions, and coaching and mentorship are some of predetermined opportunities available for academic innovators at the event.

Consequently, directors, deans, associate deans, representatives of local industries from Haramaya, Harar and Dire Dawa cities, representatives of students, potential innovators with novel and commercially sound ideas such as: technologies, research outputs, startups and business ideas and other stakeholders were participants in this innovation summit.

The summit focused on three issues such as: innovative research output in commercialization and decent job creation; narrowing the gap between academic innovation and investment; and the role of innovation hubs (African Innovation Week) in addressing investment challenges to innovations.

Director of University Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Mitiku Eshetu said “Haramaya University has enormous research outputs and has long experience of research and development work. However, most of the research outputs were not commercialized, and it is high time to create awareness among the staff, students and the community to be involved in generation of innovative ideas that could be incubated and finally commercialized for the benefit of the innovator, the community and the country at large,”

Dr. Mitiku emphasized that innovation as central issue for economic prosperity, and commercialization of innovative ideas as the way through which economic prosperity could be realized.

The directorate has established a technology business incubation center, where innovators from all field of study can submit their business ideas and compete for awards. The winners will have the opportunity to be linked with different funding organizations and industries

Mr. Ashenafi Mulugeta, Executive Manager of IBA-Ethiopia, said that youth unemployment and its impact on social coherence and political stability; challenges related to high cost of living and incapability of employees’ salary to cover their cost; and due to these and other similar issues entrepreneurship is not an option but it should our priority.

According to Mr. Ashenafi the first African Innovation week will be undertaken in Addis Ababa from October 28 to November 1, 2019. The mission of this African Innovation week is creating a platform to gather and accelerate innovative African start-ups to come together and share their experience, get connected with potential investors, executive bodies, game changers and work together for sustainable and inclusive growth of Africa

Peace and Development Department under the College of Social Sciences and Humanities conducted a curriculum review workshop to improve the existing curriculum on May 09/2019 at Senate Hall.

According to Dr. Gutama Emana, the curriculum review workshop aimed to improve and to make the existing curriculum more practical than only focusing on the theoretical parts. “The review enables the students to apply in practice the theories they learn in classrooms. Leaving among the society and experiencing the culture and norm of the community will makes the teaching-learning process more tangible and memorable, because making peace is not easy task to perform,” He added.

Invited distinguished guests and the University’s academic community working in the area  participated in the workshop. Comments and suggestions were forwarded from the reviewers and the participants. The comments and suggestions forwarded are to be diagnosed and incorporated as they would allow students to be competent nationally, as well as internationally

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences hosted a National Conference themed “Quality of Education in Ethiopia: Practices, Challenges and Prospects” on may 11, 2019 at the University’s Resource Center.

The conference  covered Quality Enhancement and Assurance in Education, Research in Education, Teacher Education and Development; Adult Education and Community Development; Curriculum Development, Implementation and Evaluation; Educational Planning, Leadership and Management; Contemporary Issues in Psychology for Education Development; Special Needs and Inclusive Education; Student Motivation, Engagement and Academic Achievement; Early Childhood care, Development and Education; School Improvement Program and Continuous Professional Development; and Science and Mathematics Education in Ethiopia.

Dr. Dawit Negassa, Dean of the College, in his opening speech said, “The conference is very crucial for the improvement of Higher Education Quality assurance and quality audit.” He further added that such conference is a land mark in the quality assurance of higher education.

Dr. Dawit also added, “Good quality education is increasingly recognized as an important foundation for economic growth and is instrumental in the attainment of other development objectives.”

On the occasion, Prof. Nigussie Dechasa, Vice-president for Academic Affairs, stated that quality of education has become a controversial issue internationally. He said, “It [education quality] is an elusive concept that has as many definitions as there are categories of stakeholders. Many definitions of quality in education exist, testifying to the complexity and multifaceted nature of the concept.”

The conference was organized with the objectives to improve the management of the education system to increase institution performance and student achievement; to improve the quality of general education in order to motivate children to complete primary and secondary school and provide them with the knowledge, skills and values that would help them become productive and responsible citizens; to give all children access to pre-primary education for school preparedness and access to nearby institutions where they can complete full eight years of primary education and two years of general secondary education; to create a learning society by providing adult and non-formal education related to lifelong learning opportunities that will contribute to personal, societal and economic development; to produce a lower-and middle-level, competent, motivated, adaptable and innovative workforce; to produce competent graduates who possess appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes; to promote knowledge and technology transfer based on national development and community needs through research; and to ensure that education and research promote principles of freedom in exchange of views and opinions based on reason, democratic and multicultural values.

Delegates from higher institutions, researchers, policy makers, top government officials and staffs were in attendance and more than eight papers were presented. It was organized to create a platform for stakeholders’ discussion on improving the quality of education and teacher training. Over 50 participants including Haramaya University Academic staffs and instructors, East & West Hararghe Zone, Harari Regional State, Dire Dawa Administrative Educational Office Heads, Instructors from near surrounding College of Teacher Education, School Directors and Teachers participated.

The eight presentations were made by staff members from Bahir Dar, Debre Tabor, Debre Markos, Mekele, Addis Ababa, Dila, Hawassa, Dire Dawa universities and Dire Dawa City Administration, and East and West Haraghe Education Offices.

Participants of the conference stated that ‘hence the quality education plays a vital role in the national development endeavor of our country, in order  to insure the quality of education, it should be started from lower level classes, handling teachers to stay in teaching and improving teachers’ quality should given special attention by concerned body and stake holders.’

University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Directorate (UILED) in collaboration with Ethiopian Management Institute delivered a training for industry stakeholders on “Leadership and Change Management” from May 13 to 17, 2019 at the University’s Resource Center.

The training comes following a need assessment conducted by the directorate and the trainees come representing the different industries that are working collaboratively with Haramaya University, especially by hosting students for their internship, externship, practical attachment and so on.

Hamaresa Edible Oil S.C., National Cement S.C., Harar Brewery S.C., Dire Dawa Food Complex S.C., Ethio-Telecom Central and Eastern Region, Dilchora Hospital, Dire Dawa Municipal Abattoir, Harar Municipal Abattoir, East Hararghe Agriculture and Natural Resource Bureau, Harar, East Hararghe High Court, Harar, Dire Dawa Water, Mines and Energy Authority, Agriculture Development office, Harar, Harar Justice Bureau, Haramaya Wereda First Instance Court, etc were among the participants.

Professor Kebede W/Tsadik, Vice-president for Community Engagement and Enterprises Development, in welcoming his speech, addressed that “The University is very welcoming to work in collaboration with the industries and by working closely, and sharing resources and experiences; the University can produce competent problem-solving and well-behaving graduates for industries and organizations as well. In return, students can identify gaps within industries and conduct researches suggesting possible solutions and recommendations.”

According to Ms. Blen Moges, Associate Director for University-Industry Linkage, “The ultimate goal of arranging the training is to strengthen the collaboration between Haramaya University and Industry stakeholders. Universities and industries cannot be effective by working independently due to the fact that there are several communal objectives for both to work together and achieve.” She added, “By working collaboratively we can realize positive synergy and bring better results.”

It is well known that there are many industries and offices which are currently working with the University. And the training aimed to address areas of enhancing the capacity of leaders to transform them; equipping trainees with leadership and change management concepts and theories, improving the trainees’ skill of leadership and management, empowering them to manage challenges emanating from leadership and change, and supporting trainees compare the theory with the realities in the Ethiopian context.

Ms. Blen added that there is the improvement of the linkages between the University and the industries following the establishment of a separate University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development Directorate. In October, 2019 industry-need assessment was conducted. Immediately after the need analysis, there was a workshop held on December 2019 on ‘Fostering University-Industry Linkage for enhancing mutual benefit’ with stakeholders.

There was a discussion session amongst the training participants where they shared best practices of one another, challenges they are facing and respective possible recommendations.

Dr. Mitiku Eshetu, Director for UILED Directorate, in his closing remark, emphasized that “Industries and universities cannot be effective working independently. Successful industry-university collaboration needs to support the missions and motivations of each partner.”

Industries promised having the responsibility of creating conducive learning environment, creating the opportunity to those students so that they are familiar with the real work environment and ethics. The University also promised to have full interest to support industries on demand-driven basis. In the end, future directions were set to increase the frequencies of encounters between the two major players and ways of collaboration by bringing resources and best practices all together.

Among the trainees, Mr. Kebede Teka, delegate from National Cement S.C explained that the training was crucial in bridging the gap they had in relation with the university-industry linkage. Another training participant, Ms. Lemlem Kassahun, from Harar Brewery S.C. added that this kind of training is so important in increasing the efficiency of working collaboratively.

Haramaya University wishes to recruit and employ qualified professionals in the discipline presented hereunder.

A new project entitled ‘Returnees Reintegration in East Hararghe Zone of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia’ was launched on 25 May 2019 at Haramaya University.

According to Dr. Mengistu Ketema, the Director of Research-Extension and Publication Office of Haramaya University, and the head of the project, the  project aims are to assess psychological, social and economic barriers for re-integration of assisted voluntary returnees (AVRs); deliver need-based capacity building trainings such as psycho-social entrepreneurship and kaizen for AVRs; provide in-kind support to AVRs for initiating and strengthening economic activities in a sustainable way; identify local institutions’ migration management capacity gaps and deliver capacity building trainings; and monitor and evaluate the whole AVRs reintegration processes

The launching workshop was officially opened with a welcoming speech by Prof. Jeylan Woliyie, Vice-president for Administration and Student Affairs, and in his speech he addressed the challenges of migration and its effect in Ethiopia. “The need to be accommodative while integrating returnees, and the need to have very flexible implementation mechanisms that suits to the local circumstances are important points to consider,” according to Prof. Jeylan. Owing to this, he stressed on long-lasting cooperation among zonal, woreda and kebele stakeholder offices, Haramaya University, IOM and other potential stakeholders.

Ms. Sara Basha, Program Coordinator of EU-IOM Joint Initiative in Ethiopia, also delivered informative key messages focusing on the challenges that Ethiopia is facing pertaining to migration, efforts being made by IOM to reintegrate AVRs, and the general expectations from the current new project. She also called upon a strong, continuous partnership among different stakeholders in the reintegration processes.

On a similar note, Dr. Ketema Bekele presented a brief overview of the new project. He indicated that the project targets more than 145 AVRs from Djibouti, Yemen, Somalia, Egypt, Libya and Sudan spread over different woredas of East Hararghe Zone. It was stressed that the reintegration process will be holistic and need-based where needs, challenges, and statuses of the returnees will be initially surveyed followed by different capacity building trainings, counseling services, and in-kind support. The project will also involve community representatives and local institutions in areas where the returnees are currently living. It was also indicated that effective implementation of the project requires collaborations of different stakeholders as one institution cannot single-handedly address the challenges of the returnees to get them integrated economically, psychosocially, and politically. According to Dr. Ketema, returnees are available in about 20 woredas of East Hararghe Zone where four areas (Harar, Gurawa, Beden, and Meta) are selected as implementation centers.

More than 60 participants including representatives from East Hararghe Zonal Administration Office; Zonal Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs; Zonal Women, Children, and Youth Affairs Office; Zonal Cooperative Promotion Office; Zonal Industry and Enterprise Development Office; different woreda level offices from the project implementation woredas, TVETs, higher and medium level management of the University, project team members, and two representatives from IOM were in participation.

The project is initiated by four staff members from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, namely, Dr. Mengistu Ketema, Dr. Ketema Bekele, Mr. Dawit Terefe, and Mr. Ibsa Aliyi. It is a one-year project financially supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through its EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration.

የሐረማያ ዩኒቨርሲቲ ጤናና ህክምና ሳይንስ ኮሌጅ ከዚህ በታች በተዘረዘሩት ክፍት የስራ መደቦች ላይ መስፈርቶችን የሚያሟሉ
ሰራተኞች አወዳድሮ በቋሚነት አወዳድሮ ለመቅጠር የፈልጋል፡፡

College of Natural and Computational Sciences celebrates Science Day with schools around Haramaya University on May 30, 2019 at the Main Campus.

According to Dr Getachew Abebe, Dean of the College, “The main objective of the celebration is to invoke the interest of the students toward Science and Mathematics and also open up ourselves to the community at large.” The event was also aimed to strengthen the linkage between the University and preparatory and high schools in the surrounding area.

The event was organized by the Department of Mathematics with the slogan: ‘Science for Sustainable Societal Development’ accompanied by various activities including visitation of onsite laboratories and execution of experiments explaining scientific principles in practice, and displays of banners with scientific information.

Side by side, seven high school and five preparatory school students, 12 in total, who passed the first round screening, were competing in two groups for the final under the auspices of Mathematics Olympiad.

The half day celebration was concluded with the awards to the winning students of the competition and closing remarks by the organizers.

Adult Education and Community Development Department under the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences hosted a national conference themed Adult and Non-Formal Education for Sustainable Development on June 01, 2019 at Ras Hotel, Harar.

“The dynamism of societal development and the need to tap the potential of every citizen for our country’s development calls for ever readiness to enhance access, equity, relevance, and quality of education,” addressed Prof. Nigussie Dechassa, Vice-president for Academic Affairs, in his opening speech. He added, “We all need, therefore, to battle it out for a decent place for enhanced inclusive education, which comprises not only formal education but also adult and non-formal education.”

Keynote speaker Prof. Jeylan Wolyie, Vice-president for Administration and Students Affairs, said, “The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is progressing rapidly in diversifying programs at all levels by offering quality programs in the fields of study that are among priority agenda of Haramaya University. … [And] this national conference on Adult and Non-Formal Education for Sustainable Development … may provide opportunities for sharing ideas pertaining to adult education policy issues, recent research in the discipline, best practices, and knowledge exchange among different stakeholders.”

The conference saw academicians, researchers, scholars and development partners gathered to deliberate on scholarly information, experiences, and current trends and practices in adult education and community development.

The event was attended by more than 100 university staff members, senior professionals from different universities (Addis Ababa, Ambo, Mada Walabu, Gondar, Hawassa, Mettu, Arba Minch, Dire Dawa, Oda Bultum, Jigjiga), and stakeholders from international, national and regional focal persons from MoE; MoSHE; DVV International; Addis Ababa, Oromia, West and East Hararge, Harari, Dire Dawa City Administration, and Haramaya education bureaus.

Twelve papers were presented by academicians and practitioners from different universities and regional offices reflecting various views and approaches towards Adult and Non-formal Education for sustainable development.

The conference gave an opportunity to identify specific priority actions that can be taken for enhancing adult and non-formal education in our country. It can also help enrich the discussions about long-term needs for enhancing access, equity, relevance, and quality of education in the country.

The conference was concluded with the awarding of certificates to paper presenters and organizer of the conference. Dr. Mengistu Urge, Director of Postgraduate Programs Directorate, in his closing remark underlined the conferences contributed to globalization and dissemination of new trends in field of Adult and Non-formal Education in order to meet the demands generated by the globalization of education. He added that further improvements are strongly needed for the global community that is encountering more complex educational needs of a greater variety where the social change is generating new problems on a daily basis.

Haramaya University wishes to recruit and employ qualified professionals in the discipline presented hereunder

Haramaya University’ National Female Leaders and Teachers Network in collaboration with Ethiopian Management Institute organized a training on Leadership and Change Management for thirty female academic staff members from May 30 to June 03, 2019.

According to Ms. Blen Moges, President of Haramaya University’s Female Leaders and Teachers Network and Lecturer, “The National Female Higher Education Leaders and Teachers Network which embraces all governmental universities were launched by Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE) on a consultative meeting held in December 2018. Following that, Haramaya University’s Female Top Leaders and Academic Staff Network was launched as part of the National Network on March 23, 2019.”

The general objective of the training was to enhance the knowledge of participants on leadership so that they can effectively lead themselves, their teams and the organization to achieve its mission.

The contents covered were the nature of leadership, women in leadership, leadership versus management, competencies of leaders, essential leadership skills, practices of leadership, qualities of successful leaders, emotional intelligence, coaching and mentoring, team work, conflict management and critical elements for success in managing change.

In his closing remark Prof. Nigussie Dechass, Academic Affairs Vice-president, underlined the volubility of the network in bringing collective voice and in empowering women with leadership, quality education, community engagement and problem solving research.

Haramaya University’s Bilateral Ethiopia-Netherlands Effort for Food, Income and Trade (BENEFIT) Partnership-Realizing Sustainable Agricultural Livelihood Security in Ethiopia (BENEFIT-REALISE) Cluster conducted a two-day training on validation, demonstration and scaling up of crop technologies as well as nutrition sensitive agriculture, home gardening, and gender mainstreaming for partners and stakeholders. The training was conducted in Harar City from 10-11June 2019.

The cluster operates in nine PSNP woredas in a total of 36 kebeles of East Hararghe zone and closely works with East Hararghe Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Fedis Agricultural Research Center, and different NGOs operating in the zone. The project has set a target to reach more than 30,000 direct beneficiaries during this phase.

REALISE is a three year program,running from 2018 to 2020, funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The REALISE program aligns with the Government of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) with the aim  to take lessons learned from its sister programs under the BENEFIT portfolio, mainly from CASCAPE and  ISSD Ethiopia, to PSNP target woredas.

According to Dr. Bulti Tesso , the Manager of REALISE Cluster and Lecturer at Haramaya University the goal of the REALISE Program is ‘enhanced human, organizational and institutional capacities to adapt, validate and scale best fit practices to improve the resilience of chronically food insecure households in PSNP woredas’. REALISE’s goal is to be achieved through four primary outcomes: Developed best fit practices that meet expressed needs and have the potential to contribute to increased productivity and resilience; Increased availability, timely delivery and use of quality seed of new, improved, and/or farmer preferred varieties through diverse channels; Enhanced human, organizational and institutional capacities for matching, adapting, validating and scaling best fit practices; and Conducive environment created for the institutionalization of evidence based system innovations.

A total of 36 individuals participated in the training from Regional Agricultural Research Institutes, Regional Bureaus of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and eight Ethiopian Universities (Haramaya, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Woldiya, Mekelle, Arsi, Oda Bultum, and Arba Minch), development agents (DAs) from the kebeles and experts from the woredas the program operates.

As part of its capacity building activities, the DAs are expected to cascade the training to the participating farmers with the assistance of REALISE experts through in-site training.

Haramaya University has been implementing a project titled “Technology, Institutional, and Extension Approaches towards Sustainable Agriculture and enhanced Food and Nutritional Security in Africa (InnovAfrica)”, which it won to a European Union call H2020-SFS-2016-2 in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research and other international partners.  A multi-actor platform meeting was conducted from 11 to 13 June 2019.

According to Prof. Nigussie Dechassa, Academic Affairs Vice-president of the University, “Agricultural productivity is low as a result of food and nutrition insecurity and it is a major problem particularly in the rural areas of Ethiopia.” To tackle the problem, InnovAfrica project assumes that Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) practices such as crop diversification should be integrated with efficient extension and advisory services (EASs) supported by innovative institutional approaches (IIAs) to achieve food and nutrition security (FNS) at smallholder farmer level.

With this in mind, promising SAIs technologies (e.g. maize-common beans intercropping) combined with innovative EASs (e.g. integrated farm plan, the French acronym as (PIP) and innovative IIAs (e.g. integrated seed systems backstopping from the multi-actor platform) are being tested and validated in Kombolcha and Meta districts in Eastern Hararghe Zone.

One of the work packages of the project is field experiment. In connection with this work package, a maize-legume intercropping system is being tested in Kombolcha and Meta districts on farmers’ fields. The first season trials were conducted last year in four kebeles (two per site) in the study districts and interesting results have been obtained. The results of the crop harvests indicated that intercropping maize with the common bean crop resulted in superior yields to mono cropping. The intercropping resulted in yield advantages of about 54% over the national average yield of maize in the country. The farmers chose intercropping of maize variety BHQPY-545 with common bean variety Dursitu to be the best treatment for their agro-ecology and socio-economic conditions.

The Multi-Actor Platform (MAP) members who participated in the meeting consisted of the major members, namely, Oromia Agricultural Marketing Enterprise, Fedis Agricultural Research Institute, Afran Kallo Cooperative Union, East Hararghe Zone Bureau of Agriculture, and West Hararghe Zone Bureau of Agriculture with development agents (DAs) and farmers. On the first day of the meeting, a field day was conducted at the research sites of Kombolcha and Meta districts. Dr. Udaya Nagothu Sekhar, overall coordinator of the project from Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Dr. Mehereteab Tesfai from Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, and Mrs. Lurie Laurie van Reemst, from the Netherlands participated in the meeting.

Members of the platform, farmers, and development agents observed crops maize crops already planted this season and discussed on a number of issues concerning agricultural production and productivity in both districts. In both districts, MAP members identified the major weaknesses to be key factors that have led to the inefficiency of the efforts being made to alleviate problems that constrain agricultural productivity in the region. Lack of communication, lack of joint planning, lack of defined roles and responsibilities, lack of sustained communication and networking were identified as such. The participants have agreed to commit themselves to jointly address the problems and particularly seek solutions to the critical shortage of seeds of improved crop varieties and other agricultural inputs such as pesticides. The second and third days of the meeting were progress reports presented and plans for the next season were drafted.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Ethiopia, Her Excellency Yaprak Alp, visited Haramaya University on June 19, 2019. On her arrival, the ambassador was received by Dr. Jemal Yusuf, the acting president of the university, and the vice presidents.

Accompanied by a representative of Ethiopian Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education and a technical expert from the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Her Excellency participated in interviews made to recruit competent PhD candidates for scholarship secured from the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

She had also held discussion with top management of the university on forging partnership with Turkish universities and on the possibility of offering entrepreneurial skills for local youth.

A national workshop to deliberate on the proposal to establish Oromo Intellectuals’ Union was conducted at Haramaya University on June 29, 2019.

A brief introduction of the workshop and a welcoming speech was made by Dr. Feyera Dinsa, member and secretary of the committee that prepared a draft proposal to establish the union. In his welcoming speech, Dr. Feyera briefly explained the historical trajectory of the Oromo people in the last one hundred and fifty years focusing on the ups and downs in the struggle of the Oromo People for equality, liberty, freedom, fraternity, democracy, and etc. He particularly emphasized the fact that the Oromo nation has suffered from lack of unity because of internal and external factors.

Dr. Feyera reiterated that this lack of unity as a nation has prolonged the chance of attaining sound victories in the political, social, economic, cultural, and technological spheres. He further pointed out that though the current situation of the Oromo is changing for the better, still a lot remains to be done to settle the core problems of the Oromo nation. He said, this calls for a concerted effort of all Oromo individuals, groups, and all friends of the Oromo, particularly, intellectuals, to professionally and strategically sort out and address these problems. Dr. Feyera stressed that this initiated the idea of establishing Oromo Intellectuals’ Union as a body to spearhead the mission to create a dynamic and vibrant society that is able to secure its proper space in this competitive world.

The workshop was inaugurated with the opening speech made by Prof. Nigussie Dechassa, Vice-president for Academic Affairs. Prof. Nigussie raised the critical nature of human capital, particularly intellectual capital, in the development of a nation. He mentioned the case of Japan, Singapore, and Germany in which those countries utilize their intellectual resources in changing their fate in the world despite the critical scarcity of natural resources. Prof. Nigussie, therefore, emphasized the paradoxical nature of our country, particularly the Oromia National Regional State, which has been suffering for centuries from poverty and backwardness in the presence of abundant natural and human resources. He also mentioned that though the condition of the country has never been suitable for intellectuals’ full participation in the affairs of the country, intellectuals’ passivity in taking collective action has downplayed their contributions towards the development of their country. As a result, Prof. Nigussie stressed that the establishment of the Union is of paramount importance in creating collective social force that can break with tradition and bring on board intellectuals of different backgrounds for collective action to promote the cause of change and transformation in the Oromo nation and beyond.

The draft proposal to establish the union was presented by the chairperson of the drafting committee, Dr. Gutema Imana, focusing on the rationale to establish the union, its goals, objectives, core thematic areas, core activities, and administrative structure and membership requirements. In his presentation, Dr. Gutema indicated that Oromo Intellectuals’ Union (OIU) is proposed to be established as a non-partisan organization with a prime purpose of contributing to the overall transformation and advancement of the social, political, economic, cultural, technological, and environmental aspects of the Oromo society in the effort to realize an all-inclusive, democratic and peaceful Ethiopia. He further indicated that OIU is envisaged to be established with the aim to stir up the ongoing positive changes in the country so that the course of changes will continue on the right track. The union will strongly and energetically support diverse spheres of changes by providing evidence-based, balanced and neutral ideas, knowledge, skills, expertise, and experiences utilizing its intellectual members of diverse educational backgrounds. It will also serve as a think tank to provide advisory services in all sectors of the society. According to Dr. Gutema, last, but not least, the union advocates for the rights and privileges of the member intellectuals in all conditions and at all times. Membership will be open to all interested Oromo intellectuals who have first degree and above.

At the end of the presentation of Dr. Gutema, the forum was opened for discussions and questions. The participants forwarded several constructive ideas to enrich the draft proposal and also raised many questions to be clarified. Dr. Gutema and his team addressed the questions for clarification. In addition, ten major issues were identified for further discussion and decision. After detail discussion by the participants, a committee comprising seven individuals including lawyers and business professionals was established to refine the proposal to establish the OIU and to prepare bylaws for the union. Upon the completion of the necessary documents, the participants proposed immediate application for legalization of the union and subsequent registration of members from inside and outside of country.

Finally, closing remarks were made by Dr. Zelalem Bayissa, staff member of the College of Business and Economics. Dr. Zelalem appreciated the initiative taken by the committee to prepare the draft proposal to establish the union and the motivation of the participants in forwarding constructive ideas for the establishment of the union and the way forward. He also emphasized that intellectuals have to contribute their best individually and collectively in the overall transformation of the Oromo and other societies of the country.

The workshop was attended by invited intellectuals from several universities in the country as well as staff members of Haramaya University.

Haramaya University’s Female Leaders and Teachers Networkconducted the first women free-talk show entitled“Knowing Self and Leadership Role in relation with Marriage and Divorce in the case of Women”on June 11, 2019 at Resource center.

College of Education and Behavioral Science, Dean, Dr. DawitNegassa, in his opening speech, said that “Divorce is currently an issue with which modem marriages are largely confronted [with], and it is a phenomenon influenced by psychological, societal, political, religious, economic and other factors, as well as legal policies.”

Dr. Dawit added that the event sets the stage for deliberating not only on divorce and its adverse effect but also on the preventive and curative side of it from psychological, medical, legal, sociological, and leadership viewpoints for establishing higher stability in marriages and thereby building a healthy family which is the basis for developing a healthy society.

According to Ms.BlenMoges, the NetworkPresident, the participants of the talk show were all female academic and administrative staff members who hold leadership positions.The rationale of the talk show was to create platforms for women to discuss on current and sensitive issues, and work together to solve problems of the society according to Ms. Blen.

The issues addressed on this talk show included knowing self in marriage and divorce; leadership role in marriage and divorce; the causes for divorce; and the psychological, social, economic and work related impacts of divorce.