Arba Minch University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Irish semi-state organization - The Agriculture and Food Development Authority – Teagasc to collaborate on the wider spheres of agriculture, food, environmental and life sciences at President’s office on October 29, 2013.

President, Dr Feleke Woldeyes from AMU and Teagasc Director, Prof Gerry Boyle, formally inked the collaborative research pact amid the presence of two AMU vice presidents, Dr Agena Anjulo and Dr Guchie Gulie, Director of Corporate Communication Directorate, Mr Genene Gedebu Feleha, senior research officer from Teagasc, Denis Griffin and others.

Giving credence to its mission, AMU has been walking extra miles in forging national and international alliances on the areas of mutual interest by its proactive management; and signing of the above MoU has taken it a step further towards its desired destination.

Having identified common goals and desirability to cooperate in the areas of cooperation, both the parties have agreed to step-up the level of collaborative research and strengthen the cooperation with each other.

The agreement states that according to the personnel and budgetary limitations, Teagasc will facilitate short-term scientific visits by Ethiopian nationals to Teagasc offices and facilities. It will provide training to national scientists and support for the participation in symposia, workshops, and conferences related to the topics of mutual interest. It will also carry out joint supervision of Ethiopian graduate students conducting research in Teagasc mandate areas in any suitable facility.

Whereas, AMU, is bound to provide facilities, including laboratories, land for collaborative research and capacity building activities. It will facilitate scientific and necessary support staff for the collaborative research activities. It will expedite procedures and facilities for the entry and exit out of Ethiopia of all trainees, research staff and visitors concerned with the collaborative program.

Both institutions will exchange information on the extent of scope and magnitude of their research and training programs in the areas of mutual interest. Exchange of info and knowledge via different publications and cooperation in organizing and inviting each other in scientific meetings, seminars, workshops of mutual interest will also be done.

AMU and Teagasc will hereby promote cooperation in research through exchange visits, consultations and joint studies in area of mutual interest including scientific collaboration in areas of mutual interest, securing external research funds, supervision of PG students, reciprocal cost neutral exchanges of staff, joint research activities; joint organization and participation in seminars, training and research programs, exchange of documents or materials for scientific purposes, production of joint publications and capacity building etc.

Governed by the MoU, both parties is to recognize the role each other in education, training and research. Exercising utmost precaution on protection, commercialization and confidentiality, each party may make use of its own results from any collaborative project for knowledge, training, research and publication.

A joint management committee in this regard will be constituted within three months from now that will oversee the objectives and progress of MoU. The term of this agreement initially is stated to for three years, which automatically get renewed for three more years unless written notice given by the either party.

Before signing the pact, Dr Feleke expressed willingness to get AMU’s traditional basic teaching culture upgraded to the applied one particularly in agriculture, economic and social science areas. Prof. Boyle sees huge potential in setting up food processing units in Arba Minch.

By Philips Joseph