Haramaya University College of Veterinary Medicine conducted national curriculum review workshop to launch five postgraduate programs on March 30, 2022 at the University’s Senate Hall.

The new postgraduate programs are PhD in Food Safety and Zoonoses and four MSc programs; namely MSc in Veterinary Parasitology, MSc in Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology, MSc in Veterinary Surgery, MSc in Farm Animal Medicine.

During the welcoming speech, Prof Adem Hiko, Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine, said curriculum review is a crucial activity in academic programs for the purpose of enhancing education quality and producing market oriented graduates.

The five postgraduate programs presented on the national curriculum review workshop are designed based on need assessment analysis.

Reviewing the curriculum is also vital to make it updated and timely with consideration of national and international demand and standards, he added.

In line with this, the College has also planned to review curricula of the three existing graduate programs in the College; MSc in Veterinary Public Health, MSc in Veterinary in Microbiology and MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology.

Prof Mengistu Urge, Vice President for Academic Affairs, in his opening speech, appreciated the works undertaken by College of Veterinary Medicine and said as one of the research universities in the country; Haramaya University is expected to produce postgraduate programs.

The curricula designed by the College have to be reviewed in line with its national and international quality standards, alignment with the standards, consistency with objectives, and comprehensiveness of the curriculum, Prof. Mengistu added.

Dr. Yilfashewa Seyoum, Director of Academic Programs at the University, in his closing speech, expressed his gratitude to the program preparation team, the reviewers, and the workshop participants for their support in providing constructive comments and suggestions that they forwarded to shape the content, pedagogy, and structure of the curricula.

He recommended that important concerns and modifications raised during the discussion be included and rectified. With final amendments to the programs, the College of Veterinary Medicine is anticipated to provide all the programmes for the next approval by the University Senate.

The event was attended by over 50 HU staff, postgraduate students and senior professionals from Addis Ababa and Ambo universities.

By:- Shemsedin Mohammed

Photographer:- Tewodros Lishan

PIRD

Haramaya University to Enhance Drought Resilience of the Lowland Communities

Haramaya University, in collaboration with Bahir Dar University, Laurentein University of the Netherlands, Burao Somaliland University, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has given Rangeland Management and Fodder Production ToT training from March 28, 2022 to April 8, 2022 to trainers who are from Somaliland and Haramaya University.

Concerning this training, Dr. Yishak Yusuf, Professor Kefyalew Alemayehu, Professor Ebrahim Usman, IR J.H.M. (Astrid) van Rooij, and Mr. Mohamed Musa have shared their exciting expert opinions with us.

Dr. Yishak Yusuf, Vice President for Community Service and Enterprise Development affairs, said the training is designed to reduce the shortage of modern fodder for livestock breeders in Ethiopia and Somaliland. He also said that the training was designed to enable us to work together to prevent the effects of environmental degradation, climate change and human conflict on animal feed.

The training was organized for agricultural and non-agricultural professionals in Somaliland and Haramaya Univeristy so that they can share their experience and knowledge to one another in the field of agriculture, especially on rangeland management and fodder production, according to Dr. Yishak.

Professor Kefyalew Alemayehu, a lecturer and researcher at Bahir Dar University and the coordinator of the project as well as the trainer, said that the project is working with the Dutch government to promote improved practices in grazing land management and use, and fodder development in lowlands. According to Prof. Kefyalew, Haramaya University has been selected to work in collaboration with Bahir Dar University due to its extensive experience in agricultural researches and other related activities, and the nearest location of the University to Buroa Somaliland University.

This training has especial meaning for the people of Somaliland where there is recurrent draught, particularly for pastoralists in the eastern region, who lose lots of their livestock during draught and do not have experience of fodder production as they move from place to place with their livestock, said Professor Ebrahim Usman, a dean of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in Buroa University in Somaliland and the leader of the trainees’ team, expressing his appreciation and gratitude to Haramaya University for the coordination and nice facilities available for the workshop.

Witnessing that Haramaya University has well developed experience and knowledge in the agricultural and best location for the project, IR J.H.M. (Astrid) van Rooij, the project leader and a senior lecturer in the field of International Development Management/Disaster risk management specialist at VAN HALL larenstein at the University of Applied Science in Netherlands, said that the started relationship between VAN HALL and Haramaya Universities will be strengthened now onwards.

Like other scholars who were in the workshop, Mr. Mohamed Musa, lecturer, researcher and the project coordinator in Haramaya University, believes that the training is expected to facilitate and alleviate the shortage of fodder for the people living in the lowlands and border areas of the country.

In general, the participants and the coordinators have promised to work together to enhance the draught resilience of the lowland community.

The trainees from Somaliland, in their part, said that the training was very impressive and easily understandable because it was supported by field practice. They believe that it enables them to give training on rangeland management and fodder production system. They said that they are ready to give the training to the local communities based on the knowledge and practice gained from the ToT training in Haramaya University. They hope that the training can help them to teach their homeland communities how to conserve the rangelands and produce fodder for their animals in a better way.

The trainees finally expressed their gratitude and thanks to Haramaya University for the wonderful training, the accommodation, and the services provided for them during their stay for sixteen days. They also appreciated the trainers for their father and brotherhood approaches, according to Hamda Mohamed a lecture at Buroa Somaliland University and Dr. Abdirohman Musa Regional coordinator for agriculture and fishery office in Somaliland.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Camera: Fuad Ahmed

Haramaya University Department of Food Science and Post-Harvest Technology in collaboration with Vice president for Research affairs office gave two days training (April 7-8/2022) to more than 30 trainees from food service providers and house administration in Haramaya University on food handling, and the general hygiene and sanitation practices.

The general objective of the training was to raise the awareness of food service providers about general food handling, hygiene and sanitation to improve the quality of food services and related activities provided in Haramaya University and ultimately to enhance customers’ satisfaction, according to Dr. Feven Tezera, a lecturer in food sciences and post-harvest technology department at the University and coordinator of the training.

In his opening speech, Dr. Deribechew Bekana, the University’s Research Teams and Partnership Directorate Director, said unhygienic food and unattractive services could negatively affect the customers satisfaction and health, which, in turn, brings serious economic and social consequences. Therefore, those who are carrying out food preparation activities need to be very careful for their food hygiene and customers’ health and satisfaction. He added that he hopes that such capacity building training can help to create and raise the awareness of food related service providers as the training was prepared based on the survey developed from the customers.

At the end of the training, the trainees expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the University and the trainers. They also said that they have got basic understanding about food handling, hygiene and sanitation as well as how to increase the customers satisfaction by improving the food handling, hygiene and sanitation practices.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Camera: Fuad Ahmed

Haramaya University Vice president for Academic Affairs organized in-house guideline review workshop on Guideline for recognition and award in learning-teaching and Guideline on sample reception, result archive and data release for laboratories at Haramaya University on April 12/ 2022 at resource center.

 Among the participants of the workshop were the University’s higher officials including the University’s president, stuffs, and others.

According to professor Mengistu Urge, Vice president for Academic Affairs, the main objective of the workshop is to develop quality guideline in the institution, to prepare guidelines for recognition and award in learning-teaching, and for sample reception, result archive and data release for laboratories to enable the university to give awards for the extraordinary works, and to ensure the quality of research samples based on the developed guideline.

The University is developing some guidelines including five guidelines waiting the senate approval only as we did not have sample data reception and release for laboratories, and recognition and award in learning-teaching polices and guidelines before, said professor Mengistu in his welcoming speech, acknowledging the effort of the University’s educational assessment and quality assurance directorate in the development of these guidelines. All the guidelines being reviewed help the University to fulfill the requirements of differentiation to be a research University, added professor Mengistu.

Professor Jeylan Wolyie, vice president for administration and student affairs, in turn, said in his opening remark that recognizing excellence and promoting meritocracy at workplace plays greater role in attracting, cultivating and retaining qualified, committed, visionary and highly productive staff. It is also believed that recognizing the excellent performance of diverse academic units such as colleges, institutions, and centers of universities ignites the aspiration and energy for more efficiency, added Professor Jeylan, indicating that it is need to establish a strong logic and rationale on basis of fixed guidelines for recognizing and encouraging outstanding performances, which the university did not have before.

The document of the guideline has passed for further process after being commented on by internal reviewers and other participants.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Camera: Fuad Ahmed

Over ETB 1,200,000 is distributed to grantees as an experimental loan through the ARIHUB project. Within the coming days, the selected incubators will enter into an agreement with the ARIHUB project and commence the training activity.

Haramaya University (HrU) held Students’ and Local Youth Groups’ Incubation Challenge Award and Pre-Incubation launching workshop for the Agricultural and Rural Innovation Incubation Hub (ARIHUB).

The workshop was conducted from April 13-14, 2022 at the University-Agricultural and Rural Incubation Centre.

The event was considered a unique milestone towards rethinking student training and community service activities in higher learning institutions through the establishment of innovation hubs. It was nearly a year and a half ago since Haramaya University launched the ARIHUB and offered three-day training to its first intake of general agribusiness and business incubation trainees. Today’s event marks the beginning of the second phase of the ARIHUB project in producing workplace-ready graduates through an incubation-based training and mentorship model.

Dr. Jemal Yousuf, President of Haramaya University, in his speech advising all grantees to take the opportunity very seriously and dedicate themselves to producing marketable prototypes. The president underscored the university’s undeterred commitment to supporting well-performing enterprises in various ways, including by linking them with financial institutions.

The event was intended to officially acknowledge the 9 student and local youth enterprises and award them with a grant certificate that will entitle them to a student experimental loan and admission to the ARIHUB training facility to enable them to develop marketable prototypes and design a go-to-market strategy. All enterprises were selected through a competitive and transparent procedure by an independent multi-disciplinary steering committee- the Agri-business Incubation Steering Committee (AISC).

During his introduction to the ARIHUB project, Dr. Getachew Shambel, Project Principal Investigator (PI) and Incubation lead highlighted that ARIHUB is a two-year project supported under the RUFORUM and MASTERCARD foundations as part of the RUFORUM Agricultural Enterprises Challenge Program (RECAP). The project at Haramaya University is designed to enhance agricultural students’ and local youth groups’ entrepreneurial competencies and innovativeness through strengthening and supporting the development of innovative agricultural enterprises.

According to Dr. Getachew, the ARIHUB aims to support selected students and local youth groups to design, develop, and implement their innovative agri-business ideas through successive training, interactive coaching, mentoring, and monitoring activities provided at the innovation incubation hub. He also emphasized that the ARIHUB is a departure from the conventional entrepreneurship training model by integrating entrepreneurship training with innovation incubation and Multi-Stakeholder Innovation Platforms (MSIPs).

The process is envisaged to capacitate young entrepreneurs through continuous and systematic mentorship activities through a 12-week training cycle that will lead to developing relevant and marketable prototypes and products.

As a university-based incubation facility, in the long run, ARIHUB envisions promoting innovativeness through identifying and helping agri-focused university entrepreneurs develop and commercialize their ventures; facilitating the development of collaborative innovation communities bringing together entrepreneurs, government, private sector, academia and investors to enable decent job creation in the agricultural sector; and creating research and learning opportunities to develop best practices for entrepreneurial development.

The enterprises selected this year are Rabbit Farming and Marketing; Ethio-Yammi Pasta production; Casmiroa juice production and Marketing; Sweet Potato Jam Production and Marketing; Poultry farm production and marketing; Honey bee production and marketing; Weme chicken; Rearing poultry (Bate youth business partnership); and Homemade Incubator Development and Day-old chick production.

Dr. Tesfaye Lemma, Vice president for Research Affairs, in his a closing speech remarked on the importance of incubation-based training for sustainable development and promoting employment for the highly growing youth group in the country.

The ARIHUB project is coordinated by Dr. Getachew Shambel (project PI and incubation lead) and co-PIs – (Drs. Jemal Yousuf, Chanyalew Seyoum, Muluken Gezahegn, Eric Ndemo, and Mr. Samuel Taye) all from the School of Rural Development and Agricultural Innovations (RDAI) with support from RUFORUM, MASTERCARD foundation, and Haramaya University. And it is jointly implemented by the University, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and private sector partners.

Finally, the winners received their awards from Prof. Mitiku Guya, University-Industry Linkage Directorate.

Haramaya University

Public & International Relations Directorate

Haramaya University Academic Assessment and Quality Assurance Directorate conducted training for the higher and middle level educational leaders under the theme “Determinants of Quality Education” on 14 April, 2022 at the Senate Hall.

Dr. Garkebo Basha, Haramaya University Academic Assessment and Quality Assurance Directorate Director, during his welcoming speech extended his special welcome and thanks for the guest trainer (Dr. Dunkana Nugussa from Education and Training Authority (ETA) /former Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency (HERQA) for his willingness to train and share his experience and said that this training is not organized for the sake of training or not because it is planned.

Dr. Garkebo added that the training is organized with the intention of creating awareness among the educational leaders about the conceptions of quality and quality education; approaches, mechanisms and models of ensuring education quality, areas of excellence as per the ETA criteria; institutional and program accreditation and audits; roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders (such as students, parents, instructors, heads deans, directors, management bodies, Ministry of Education (MoE), etc in enhancing and assuring quality of education, and the like.

Intensive deliberations and reflections were made on the topic during the training and the training was very participatory and effective, it was indicated.

During the opening speech, the University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Mengistu Urge, said that in this century countries that have high level of quality education are able to grow faster and ensured high level of social development. As a result, countries are thriving to improve and ensure the quality of education offered, he added.

Prof. Mengistu said ensuring quality of education is must to do job at all levels of education and indicated that to bring signification change in the quality of education in higher learning institute(HLI), stakeholders must have to understand the concept of quality, the determinants of quality of education and how they can assure the quality of education in universities.

On the closing remark Prof. Jeylan Wolyie, Vice President for Administration and Students’ Affairs, expressed his appreciation for the Academic Assessment and Quality Assurance Directorate and thanked Dr. Dunkana for showing unwavering commitment to share with his rich experience with the respected trainer’s unequivocal emphasis that education is the source of knowledge, education drives progress and transformation, and that the developed world was able to develop mainly through harnessing the power of knowledge.

At the end of the training, Dr. Jemal Yousuf, President of Haramaya University, handed over certificates to trainees who successfully completed the training.

Haramaya University Public & International Relations Directorate

By: – Shemsedin Mohammed

Photo: – Tewodros Lishan

“You don’t build a business, you build people, and then people build the business.”

Haramaya University following such a trend Haramaya University University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development Directorate conducted the 2022 Business Idea Competition at Resource Center on April 18, 2022.

The main objective of this competition is to promote commercialization of research outputs of the academic staff, nurture creativity and innovative ideas of students, help the staff and the community develop their business ideas into business ventures to create jobs and reduce unemployment, but ultimately to play major role in the economic, social and political development of the country.

As per the announcement made by the University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development (UILED) Directorate, more than 30 business ideas were submitted for competition within the months of January and February, 2022.

The applicants were screened and three round trainings were given to help them nurture the business ideas and check if the given business ideas are marketable and can be developed into business ventures. Finally, out of 30 business ideas, 12 were admitted for the competition and 11 teams presented their business ideas.

The winners of the competition will be announced soon and the first to third ranked winners will be awarded and admitted to the University Business Incubation Center (HrU BIC) for further development of their business ideas.

Those who will be admitted to the HrU BIC will have access to University facilities such as laboratories, workshops and get technical and material supports.

In his opening speech of the competition workshop, Prof. Mitiku Eshetu, Director of University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development addressed that this competition is very important to check and prove if a given business idea is marketable and can grow into business ventures that will create job and livelihood for the competitors.

Currently university graduates are not being employed in addition to unemployed youths in the community. Therefore, such business idea competitions are of paramount importance to create jobs in such work environment by initiating people with innovative and creative business ideas to nurture and change their ideas into viable business.

This, in its turn, has positive addition to what Ethiopia has intended to do in the future. Relating to this, it is remembered that the Job Creation Commission of Ethiopia had revealed its plan of action for the years 2020 to 2025 in 2019 to undergo a holistic intervention intended to solve the employment challenges and deliver a new vision of employment in Ethiopia.

What Haramaya University is doing, therefore, has a great contribution and implication for what the country planned to do within the aforementioned span of time.

By: Shemsedin Mohammed

Photographer: Tewodros Lishan

HU Public and International Relations Directorate

Haramaya University Women, Children and Youth Affairs Directorate provided a two days training titled “Leadership & Communication from the Aspect of Law and Harmful Traditional Practices” for Bate 03 kebele leaders and members who are working in different positions from April 22-23, 2022.

The aim of the training is to raise the participants’ awareness on leadership and communication skills as well as on women’s right and access to the leadership opportunity.

According to Kedija Abdulkadir, the University’s Women, Children and Youth Affairs Directorate Director, the University is working to enhance women’s communicative and leadership skills.

Such kind of trainings are necessary to enhance trainees’ work performance from the previous based on the scientific knowledge they get from the training, besides by decentralizing activities, through monitoring and evaluation, she added.

Ms. Mina Abubeker, lecturer at the University’s Department of Sociology, gave an introductory remark on women’s right and access to leadership opportunity and some qualities to have in order to be good leaders at all levels of leadership.

It was stated in the training that the trainees should understand the realities of girls and women around them and work to bring attitudinal change on the community in general.

Other trainer, Mrs. Urgi Biso, a lecturer at College of Law at Haramaya University, on her part said that the training on self confidence, leadership and communication skills will help the trainees to be successful in their careers and to build a leadership skill for their future life.

Ato Mekonnen Dagne, an expert on women and children at Haramaya University, Children and Youth Directorate, said the University is working to enhance women’s communicative and leadership skills and that is why it was intended to give the training.

On the two days event, general discussion and reflection were also conducted to get comments and feedback from the participants.

By:- Shemsedin Mohammed

Photo:- Foad Ahmed Ali

HU Public & International Relations Directorate

Haramaya University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development Directorate awarded the winners of 2022 Business Idea Competition

In the competition, 11 competitors presented their business ideas. Of these, three competitors were selected as winners and received financial and certificates awards. Accordingly, the first winner received 50,000 Birr, the second winner received 30,000 Birr, and the third winner received 20,000 birr.

Prof. Mitiku Eshetu, Director of University-Industry Linkage and entrepreneurship Development (UILED), said to the competitors that Business Idea competition is to motivate individuals who have creative and innovative ideas to develop into business ventures and create jobs for themselves and others.

In this regard, the third business idea competition of this academic year attracted more than 28 business ideas of which 11 of them were selected for this business idea competition award. The UILED will admit the winners into the Business Incubation center and coach them to further develop their business ideas.

Furthermore, the admitted ones will get technical and material support and will have access to the University’s laboratories and facilities that are pertinent for their respective business ideas.

Dr. Yesihak Yusuf, Vice President for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development, addressed in his closing remark that entrepreneurship plays a key role in a country’s economic development. For example, international business entities like Alibaba are created by entrepreneurs that emerged with innovative and creative business ideas.

Therefore, business ideas need to be nurtured and developed into business ventures for the benefit of the creator/innovator in particular, and the community and the nation in general. He also thanks the organizer, the juries and the participants of the competition for their time and commitment to realize this competition.

Innovator Michael Berhanu, the first winner of the 50,000 Birr, said that he is happy to win this competition because he has participated in similar competitions across the country at different times and had different problems he encountered to win. However, those problems did not defeat him in this competition organized by Haremaya University. He also appreciated the impartial efforts of the organizers and judges.

Mohammed Juhar Musa, lecturer at Haremaya University and the second winner of 30,000 birr, said that he is pleased because the competition was transparent and open and he noted that the university’s overall activities are promising for novice researchers, so if there are similar competitions in the future, creative individuals can also participate by presenting their business ideas and creating their own jobs for the benefit of themselves and the country.

Haramaya University College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Special Needs and Inclusive Education conducted national curriculum review workshop on May 13, 2022.

The curricula reviewed were “PhD in inclusive education”, and “MA in special needs and inclusive education”.

During the workshop opening ceremony, Mr. Gemechu Abera, dean of Education and Behavioral Sciences College, in his welcoming speech, said that the aim of the curriculum review is to make the curricula enhance students learning, engagement, experience, and improve the learning outcome. That will, in turn, enhance the program to be valuable for both individuals and programs, so it has the potential, if planned and executed well, to improve communication and collaboration between staff, leading to a stronger program and program identity. The need for curriculum review is in response to a number of drivers such as the changing nature of the discipline, rationalizing our offering by avoiding duplicate provision, offering opportunities with the support of new learning technologies, shifting students’ interest towards the program, and others, according to the college dean.

Dr. Yilfashewa Siyoum, director for academic programs and delegate of the vice president for academic affairs, in his opening remark said that, in its recent effort, the college has witnessed to review more than 90 percent of its program in accordance with the new mission and strategic plan of the university, and two new postgraduate programs are also added and that indicates the college has made substantial progress. The director added that the purpose of the workshop is to cater the opportunity for discussion, exchange of idea and reaching consensus for preparation of a good quality curriculum that means; up-to-date and relevant, balanced, integrated, demanding, sequenced and progressive, and well aligned academic program.

After the necessary presentation and reflection has made by the external reviewers from other Universities and the college staffs as well as invited guests, the reviewed curriculums were forwarded for further process.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Camera: Fuad Ahmed

Haramaya University hosted the 10^th Conference of the Council of Medical Schools in Ethiopia (COME) on May 12-13, 2022.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, Dr. Sahrela Abdulahi, the State Minister (ministre d’état) said efforts are underway to improve the quality of pre-graduate medical institutions to provide quality medical services to the public. In connection to this, a curriculum centered on the latest medical education has been developed and made available to educational institutions. According to the State Minister, a standard has been developed for 22 medical specialty training programs in 19 institutions since 2010 EC.

The State Minister added that the education and training system needs to be complete so that the educational institutions can solve the problems in the field by increasing the quality of medical education and producing qualified professionals. Moreover, the State Minister advises that educational institutions at all levels should use adequate faculty, theory, and practice to improve the quality of service in the sector and to use it in a timely manner. The state minister also said sophisticated diagnostic systems in the health education training sector should be included in the curriculum.

Dr. Tekuam Debebe, President of Council of the Medical Schools in Ethiopia and Dean of Addis Ababa University Medical School, said the main purpose of the council is to create conditions for quality education and training in the country by establishing relationships and discussions with various medical institutions and exchanging experiences.

Dr. Ahmed Mohamed, Chief Executive Director  of Haramaya University College of Health and Medical Sciences as well as delegated for the University President said the conference is a platform for health schools and Universities in the country to exchange experiences and gain best experience. He also expressed his hope that the experiences gained from the conference will take the institutions one step further. The “Council of Medical Schools in Ethiopia” was established to enhance the quality of medical education, provide quality education and training, and increase the quality of medical services by producing qualified professionals. Dr. Ahmed added that it is a forum where members of the Medical Schools Council come together under one roof to discuss solutions and best practices in the process.

Representing the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, Mr. Abebe Tilahun said the Ministry of Education has been undergoing major reforms since 2012 EC and one of the priorities is curriculum design and revision. Mr. Abebe added that the ministry is working to add a value on the medical sector to create an improved education system that includes international practices to produce competent and competitive manpower even at international level.

As expressed in the conference, there are about 40 Medical Schools in Ethiopia and Dr. Tekuam Debebe is the only female Dean in Medical School. Lastly the conference participants have visited the tourist attraction places in Harar.

By: Aweke Ayaneh

Camera: Fuad Ahmed

Two papers on public diplomacy and higher education institutions roles were presented and discussion was made in the occasion. Several scholars of HU, higher officials of East Hararghe Zone and Harari Rigional State, religious leaders were attended the event.

Ambassador Dina Mufti, spokesperson for the FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is necessary to work closely with higher education institutions to curb unfair pressure some countries exert on our country.

Ambassador Dina added that much is expected from university scholars, students, and the communities who have the accesses and skills of modern technologies to alleviate the pressure some foreign countries put on our country.

In this regard, Haramaya University should contribute its share to the country in the field of public diplomacy as it did and does in the agricultural sector, stressed Ambassador Dina.

Professor Jeylan Woliyie, Haramaya University Vice President for Administration and Student Affairs, in his part, said the efforts of foreign powers to create an obstacle for the construction of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and our right to fairly use our natural resources have been eased through the strong public diplomacy our citizens made; therefore, the citizens in general and higher education institutions in particular should put their shoulders to the wheel to tackle any unnecessary foreign pressure on our country.

In fact, Haramaya University has already started education-based public diplomacy with neighboring countries by accepting students from different countries and teaching them with favorable hospitality, added Professor Jaylan.

Appreciating the establishment of the center, Harari regional state and East Hararge Zone Administration representatives promised to support and strengthen the center and called on our scholars and community to provide the necessary support too.

By:- Shemsedin Mohammed

Photo:- Tewodros Lishan

HU PIRD

Haramaya University (HU) and Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) Vow to Save Sanctuary.

Haramaya University (HU) and Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) expressed their commitment to closely work in order to save Babile Elephant Sanctuary.

HU and EWCA signed Memorandum of Understanding today on May 13, 2022 at EWCA’s headquarters in Addis Ababa. The MOU was signed by EWCA’s Director General (DG), Mr. Kumera Wakjira and Dr. Tesfaye Lemma, Haramaya University’s Vice President for Research Affairs and representative of the president, Dr Jemal Yusuf.

During the press briefing, the Mr. Kumera acknowledged the significant contributions HU has made to the development of the country as a prominent higher learning institution in Ethiopia and appreciated the willingness and commitment of HU to forge formal partnership with EWCA.

Mr. Kumera indicated that such partnership would take the conservation effort to a higher and transformative level.

Dr. Tesfaye on his part emphasized that making knowledge-based contribution to the on going conservation effort to reverse the degradation of the elephant sanctuary and transform Babile Elephant Sanctuary into attractive tourist destination in the medium to long term is in line with the mandate and strategic plan of HU.

Dr. Tesfaye highlighted the purpose and nature of joint research-cum-development project to be developed to solicit funding from development partners.

Accordingly, the purpose of the partnership initiative is to make meaningful contribution towards ensuring sustainable use and management of the sanctuary and the ecosystem as a whole, he added.

The key partnership activities would include undertaking research from socio-ecological perspective to inform strategy formulation, engaging stakeholders and policymakers in co- creation and implementation of sustainable solution, and strengthning capacity of local communities and institutions, it was indicated.

Deputy DG of EWCA, Mr. Solomon Mekonnen, thanked HU for sponsoring stakeholders’ consultation platform previously conducted in Harar and appreciated professionals of the two institutions for developing the MOU.

Dr. Anteneh Desta, biodiversity researcher at HU, reiterated the challenges related to degradation of the sanctuary, the urgent need for action, and the possibility to mobilize resources through networking and partnership as the problem has both national and global significance.

Leadership and commitment would be the key success factor, according to Dr. Anteneh.

The institutions agreed to assign contact persons and establish technical task force to lead joint proposal development.

By: – Shemsedin Mohammed

HU PIRD

FDRE Ministry of Education in collaboration with Haramaya University conducted national undergraduate education program standard validation workshop at Dire Dawa University from May 20-21, 2022.

During the two days workshop, 10 educational programs standards were evaluated in the presence of 23 representatives of higher education institutions and the Ministry of Education.  It was stated that the workshop aimed at realizing a sustainable and internationally recognized quality education in undergraduate programs.

In his opening speech he made on behalf of Haramaya University, Prof. Abi Tadesse said that the quality of education is ensured when educational programs can be used for the purpose of producing qualified graduates (fit to the purpose).

In this regard, he said, it is important to exert efforts scientifically in order to address the limitations in the quality of education; standardizing and validating educational programs is one of the important efforts we exert to insure quality education.

Mr. Besufekad Hailemariam, a senior expert in higher education programs and curricula at the Ministry of Education of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, said that the quality of education is proved when the programs designed can produce graduates who are able to fit the desired purpose. He added that the ministry is working to implement a system of standardization and validation for undergraduate programs to ensure the quality of higher education in a sustainable manner. One of the activities that have been done is identifying Universities’ mission and focus area which can be taken as one step. What is being done now is standardizing and validating the undergraduate programs aiming to produce qualified and competent graduates. This standardizing and validating is based on the recommendations of studies conducted on the Educational Roadmap.

While there are 327 undergraduate programs, we are currently working to develop 33 curriculum standard assessments this year, and 10 programs have been evaluated by professionals today, added Mr. Besufekad.

The scholars participated in the work shop, in their part, said that the work being done by the Ministry of Education to maintain the quality of education is highly commendable and should be intensified. The ongoing undergraduate program standardization and validation workshop will contribute a lot to maintain the quality of education and produce nationally and internationally competitive graduates, according to the scholars.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Camera: Tewodros Lishan

Haramaya University College of Computing and Informatics conducted national curriculum review workshop on May 26, 2022.

While the review workshop focused on the existing and the newly coming postgraduate programs ( PhD in biostatistics (new), Master of science in computer science (existing) and Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (new));  the participants of the workshop were external reviewers from AAU, Adama Science and Technology University, the college members, and invited stuffs.

In his opening speech, Dr.Kassahun Takele , dean of Computing and Informatics College, said, “We all know that Haramaya University is a research University. Accordingly, the University’s mandate is to produce competent graduates who will be able to play a crucial role in academia and research industries; in particular, those who can independently plan, conduct, execute, and disseminate research findings in various disciplines.  To achieve this, curriculum development and reviews are essential work of academic programs.”

Dr. Kassahun Takele added that launching post graduate programs in research Universities like Haramaya University plays an important role in achieving the goal set by the country. “In today’s workshop, we reviewed the curriculums developed by department of statistics and computer science; PhD in Biostatistics, MSc in Artificial intelligence, and MSc in Computer Science,’’ said Dr. Kassahun.

Especially, in eastern Ethiopia, there is a specific need for postgraduate specialization in computer science, artificial intelligence, and biostatistics that will provide a wide range of students with knowledge and skills necessary to overcome the crisis of computational analysts and there has been a strong need assessment report which proves this to step forward to further such activities in the higher education in eastern region, and all formal and needful procedures were initiated and completed by the college and departments in it, according to the dean.

Mr. Tesfaye Abera, a teacher and researcher at Haramaya University College of computing and Informatics, statistics department and former department head, said that Biostatistics is a critical and invaluable tool in developing public health, biomedical science, and life science policy and initiatives. For instance, public health officials, health care professionals, and the scientific community rely on accurate and timely data to deal with outbreaks of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, nutrition, etc. The needs for the program is coming to us from the non-governmental and governmental organizations, specially in the health sector, as well as biostatistics as it  helps  policy developers to generate valuable data and information used to make a decision, said Mr. Tesfaye.

Mr. Tadesse Kebede, a teacher and researcher at Haramaya University College of computing and Informatics, and head of computer science department, said that artificial intelligence leveraging computers machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision making capabilities of the human mind is highly important as it is applied in health, education, agriculture, transport sectors as well as public protection and safety.

Moreover, many disciplines have been influenced by the advancement of artificial intelligence as is seen in researches in the medical and public health industries. Many cutting-edge artificial intelligence algorithms including deep learning methods are adapted to effectively handle challenging problems in biomedical sciences. Understanding such importance, the government has put a direction to intensify and develop the artificial intelligence technology, which has not been well exploited in Africa, added Mr. Tadesse.

Finally, it was stated that the reviewed curriculums will be forwarded for further process, incorporating constrictive comments from reviewers, and participants.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Camera: Fuad Ahmed

Public and International Relations Directorate

Haramaya University Mitigates Lab-Equipment Shortage through Projects.

Haramaya University received herbal disease diagnostic equipment worth over 1.5 million birr from Gent University, Belgium.

The University received the equipment through a project called NEMEDUSSA (Nematology Education in Sub-Sahara Africa) which is based in Gent University, Belgium.

According to Ms. Eleni Kidane, a lecturer of plant biology at Haramaya University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and coordinator of the project, this project, to study Nematology, is working with 16 other partner institutions including Haramaya and Jimma Universities in Ethiopia.

The aims of the project are establishing and upgrading Nematology laboratory, spreading Nematology knowledge to the staff, students (high school, Bsc, MSc and PhD), Farmers and community, solving nematode related problems of crops, building professional capacity of staff and students, and developing BSc courses unit and lecturing materials.

She added that the microscope support will contribute a lot to researches the University conducts in Botanical Science Laboratory to identify genetic health. In this regard, it has, so far, enabled university students to receive training in other countries for better research skills.

The project has also provided a microscope worth 1.5 million birr to Haramaya University when it supplied laboratory inputs including nematode extraction materials (4 Sieve and 5 micropipettes), 7 Compound microscopes and 9 stereo microscopes with 4HD-ULTRA camera), according to Ms. Eleni.

Ms. Eleni added that the ongoing activities of the project include establishing nematode students club, training for students club, establishing of nematology laboratory and governmental and private agricultural institutions curriculum review.

Mrs. Hayimanot Bizuneh, Haramaya University Plant Sciences Laboratory Technical Assistant, in her part, said the university is working on samples to identify plant diseases before the finding is distributed to the farmers.  Moreover, better laboratory microscopes for seed, plant research and research (availability of new and up-to-date inputs) will enable the laboratory to operate effectively and efficiently in order to conduct better research.

National Conference on Mathematics Held at Haramaya University

The Department of Mathematics at Haramaya University College of Natural and Computational Sciences (CNCS) conducted a national conference under the theme of “The Advancement of Mathematics: Current Trends & Future Prospects” from May 27- 28, 2022 at the University’s Resource Centre.

Dr. Getachew Abebe, Dean of College of Natural and Computational Sciences of Haramaya University, said in his welcoming speech that the Conference is co-organized with International Science Program University (UPPSAL), Ethiopian Mathematics Professionals Association (EMPA) and Department of Mathematics, AAU.

Dr. Getachew said that the Conference deals with topics clustered in four sub- themes: Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Mathematics in Ethiopia as well as challenges and opportunities and mathematics education.

On the opening ceremony, Haramaya University Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Mengistu Urge, said the University is currently producing teachers in various mathematics degree programs and research to enhance problem-solving research in the field.

He also said that the necessary preparations have been completed to start the 3rd degree program in the next academic year.

Jimma University Mathematics Professor and Researcher, Professor Gemechis File, said at the same time, mathematics education in the country has been taught for a long time but is not moving in the right direction.

The Professor cited fears among students and the community, lack of contact with the world of mathematics curriculum, gaps in teacher preparation and teaching, and the lack of a higher-level research tool at universities.

To this end, there are fears among students and the community about the curriculum and the lack of contact with the world of work in the design of the curriculum.

He cited gaps in the preparation of teachers and the teaching and learning process as well as lack of advanced research equipment at higher institutions as a reason for the lack of academic growth.

He said the expansion of higher education institutions since 2016 and the expansion of postgraduate education in the sector are making a small difference in education.

He said mathematics education is currently being implemented in various universities and is making progress in human resource development.

He also said that research publications in the field of mathematics have begun to gain international attention.

According to Professor Gemechis, while there is some improvement in mathematics, there is still a long way to go in research and development related to the problems of the community and the industry.

Dr. Addisalem Abathun, member of Addis Ababa University School of Mathematics and the Ethiopian Association of Mathematicians, said the Association is working to bring about significant change in mathematics, both at home and abroad.

She said Ministry of Education is currently working on the preparation of textbooks in editing and other fields.

During the closing remark Dr. Yisak Yusuf, Vice President for Community Engagement & Enterprise Development Office, noted that the aim of the conference is achieved for sure of shared experience, knowledge transfer, ignited motivation, see the current trend and future prospect of mathematics.

Around 150 participants including the Central Committee Members of Ethiopian Mathematics Professionals Association, professionals in mathematics and related fields from 32 Universities in the country attended the Conference.

By: – Shemsedin Mohammed

Photo:- Tewodros Lishan

HU, PIRD

Haramaya University Rejuvenating Curriculums

Haramaya University College of Social Science and Humanities Conducted In-house Curriculum Review Workshop on May 30, 2022.

The curriculums reviewed at the workshop include PhD in climate change and disaster risk management (upgrading), MSc in Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (revising), MSc in Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing (new), MSc Environmental Management and Land Administration (upgrading), and MA in History (revision).

Dr. Adinew Tadesse, dean of College of Social Sciences and Humanities on his welcoming speech said that the rationale for the curriculum review workshop is to make the programs fit the timely needs of stakeholders. The reviewed curriculums have been developed by the department members’ team which consulted and shared the other Universities experiences in the curriculum organizing process, according to Dr. Adinew.

Professor Mengistu Urge, vice president for academic affairs, in his opening remarks, mentioned that the organized curriculum review is important and timely because of three main reasons such as the University’s strategic plan to increase postgraduate programs, to meet the criteria for to be research University, and to increase joint teaching activities with neighbor countries like Somalia. The president added that the prepared curriculums should address the students’ needs and should be relevant to the country. Moreover, the availability of human and material resources should be taken into consideration during the curriculum development.

After being presented, the reviewed curriculums were sent to the next step with the inclusion of comments and suggestions from reviewers and participants.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Camera: Fuad Ahmed

In-house Curriculum Review Workshop Held

Haramaya University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences conducted in-house curriculum review workshop to launch two PhD programs in Meat Science and Technology and the other in Poultry Science on May 31, 2022 at the University’s Resource Center.

In his welcoming speech, Dr. Zelalem Bekeko, Dean of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, said that the workshop was organized to engage experts in the evaluation of two new PhD programs planned to be launched by the next academic year.

Dr. Zelalem further stated that the two PhD curricula developed by the School of Animal and Range Sciences namely PhD in Meat Science and Technology and PhD in Poultry Sciences are the first of their kind in Ethiopia and the most relevant to the Ethiopian economy.

He said that designing and implementing such curricula positions Haramaya University in its objectives towards achieving its goals as research and postgraduate University.

Professor Mengistu Urge, Vice President for Academic Affairs, opened the workshop and expressed his appreciation for the College’s initiative to increase and diversify its postgraduate programs by launching additional demand-driven programs.

He further noted that launching such PhD programs in Meat Science and Technology and in Poultry Science advance the mission and vision of the University and serve as important additions to existing pool of the postgraduate programs of the University.

Professor Mengistu added that all the programs in the University should be of high quality and demand driven, the relevance, quality, and implementation of the proposed PhD programs should be ascertained as required.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Feyera Dinsa, Director for Postgraduate Programs Directorate, appreciated the College’s initiative, curriculum initiators, designers and facilitators for organizing such a productive and educative academic platform.

He noted that curriculum review is an academic, staff‐led critical examination of a program for the purpose of optimizing the learning outcomes of that program for the students. It is a formative component of the overall quality assurance strategy and is focused on the continuing development of students’ learning experiences.

Accordingly, the curriculum review process undergone has generated the necessary inputs to prepare an action plan for improving the program, and the impact of the review is determined by evidence of implementation success, he added.

In the workshop, the two documents were presented. Following this, comments, constructive criticisms and suggestions were forwarded and questions were raised.

By: – Shemsedin Mohammed Aliyi

Photographer: – Tewodros Lishan

HU PUblic & International Relations Directorate