Arba Minch Water Technology Institute has conducted PhD proposal defense workshop of 2nd batch at ICT Video Conferencing Hall, Main Campus on 20th April, 2018. Its two students, Mr Alemeshet Kebede and Mr Nigatu Toma have presented their proposals on the occasion. Click here to download the pictures.
AWTI Scientific Director, Dr Abdella Kemal, opening the workshop, said AWTI is known for its immense contribution in producing high-caliber professionals, who are rendering their expertise in Ethiopia and abroad. Being part of 1st generation university, AWTI is committed to expand its programmatic profile by launching more Master and PhD programs in near future.
He further informed that in the coming academic year 2018-19, AWTI will launch four PhDs in Ground Water Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Water & Environmental Engineering and Earth Observation & Modeling Engineering. Two Master programs in GIS Remote Sensing and Ground Water Engineering are also on the cards in 2019.
Of two PhD students, initially, Mr Alemeshet Kebede, presented proposal on ‘Remote sensing and model-based approach to evaluate water abstraction in Bilate sub-basin,’ followed by Mr Nigatu Toma who presented his study on ‘Impact of drainable surplus for sustainable irrigation development in the Omo Kuraz Irrigation Scheme.’
Dr Sirak Tekleab of Hawassa University and AMU’s Dr Santosh Pingale were external and internal reviewers respectively. PhD advisors, Dr Alemseged Tamiru of International Water Management Institute, Addis Ababa; Dr Adane Abebe, Prof. Pratap Singh and Dr Tena Alamirew were in attendance.
Dr Sirak Tekleab, scrutinizing Mr Alemeshet Kebede’s proposal asked to change the title, factor in separate literature review, specificity in statement of problem, action in basic objective and also was told to enhance sphere of soil moisture in his proposal. Mr Nigatu Toma also has had few suggestions from cross section to fine-tune his proposal.
Speaking on occasion, Dr Abdella, this is the final PhD defense for 2nd batch, where students will gather comments from internal, external reviewers along with audience and incorporate in their thesis and in a month’s time, AMU’s Graduate Council members with PhD Coordinator, Dr Samuel Dagalo, will evaluate revised proposals and take the call for awarding PhDs.
Speaking on new PhDs, Dr Abdella, said, the curriculum of first three above mentioned PhDs have already been completed the internal and external review of them will take place in May 2018. Officially they will be launched in September 2018, as Ministry of Education has already requested for students and AMU can expect at least five students in each PhD programs.
He adds despite being 1st generation university established 30 years back we had just one PhD, therefore, we wanted to break this jinx for people expect a lot from us. Therefore, AWTI will now be promoting these PhDs to attract students from within Ethiopia and abroad.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)