‘‘Take your cue from a janitor at NASA office, who when visited by the then American President Kennedy, who found him busy at work, asked what he was doing; pat came the answer, that he was there to send a man on the Moon,’’ The head of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Department, Mr Mahe Bodda Kao, said this while exhorting AMU support staff.

Mr Mahe was speaking in a short training on creating awareness among Arba Minch University support staff against corruption in their respective work places. The training was held at Lecture Theatre, Main Campus on October 4, 2013. Those render services in clinic; cafeteria and students’ accommodation have participated in it.

The training began with Mr Mahe motivating the participants to thwart the nefarious designs of anyone trying to siphon off monetary or material university resources. They must relate their duties with the vision of university, he emphasized.

Many incognizant about university’s vision were urged to work jointly towards the realization of its vision. He further said, ‘‘Institution is not just made up of buildings but those working for it give the real credence to its existence.’’

At the outset, the participants were explained about the economic, political, cultural & psychological and institutional causes; its characteristic that is termed as a crime in Ethiopia and types of corruption i.e. petty, grand and political was discussed at length. He also dwelled upon its economic, social, political and environmental impacts on common man.

To stem the rot, he urged the gathering to create awareness in the society, adapt to a required behavioral change, and nip in the buds every attempt leading towards malpractices and also to take initiative in disclosing corrupt practices of any individuals.

In the later part, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Department legal specialist, Mr Birhanu Chefqo, enlightened the gathering on variety of graft crimes and quantum of punishments.

On the occasion, workers were given a form to get themselves voluntarily registered with the department thus aligning with a cause to eradicate corruption and to create prosperous and corruption-free organization.

An Anti-Corruption Committee was also constituted by electing its head Mr Tegenu Zewde and two members Zerihun Zenebe and Azeb Bimirew by voice-vote.

Mr Mahe further informed that similar trainings were held at Chamo, Nech Sar and Abaya Campuses on September 30, October 1st and 2nd. The department is also mulling to organize such trainings for Human Resource, Purchasing and Security staff members in the next month.

By Philips Joseph