‘‘We have enough professionals to take care of newly introduced graduate programs. And our college is fully equipped with the coordinated hi-tech lab facility with fertile geographical location to undertake these programs rather effectively,’’ said, the Dean of College of Natural Sciences, Dr Alemayehu Hailemicael.
Dr Alemayehu, said, this in his introductory speech during the daylong curriculum review workshop organized by Mathematics and Biology departments at Lecture Theatre, Main Campus on November 9, 2013. Three newly introduced graduate programs i.e. Mathematical Modeling, Environmental Sciences & Aquatic Sciences, Fishery & Aquaculture’s curriculum were being reviewed, which are said to be feasibly demand-driven.
The Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Agena Anjulo, opened the curriculum workshop.
Rationalizing the introduction of above programs, Dr Alemayehu further said, ‘‘These programs are of paramount importance to our country’s current demand in this highly globalized and competitive environment. And by providing quality education both in undergraduate (UG) and graduate level, we are contributing our mite.
He informed that presently, the college is running 10 UG programs for the last 11 years (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, meteorology and hydrology, statistics, geology, sport sciences, industrial chemistry and biotechnology).
The six graduate programs currently being run are; physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, mathematics, climate change and development, botany and biotechnology. With the introduction of three new programs it totaled up to nine.
He revealed that the college will be launching additional four graduate programs i.e. Applied Microbiology, Wildlife Management, Medical Entomology, Tropical Diseases & Material Sciences in the second semester of this academic year.
Invited potential stakeholders as external reviewers and various professionals from Addis Ababa, Adama, Mekele, Debre Birhan and Wolayta universities presented their point of views. A stakeholder from Regional Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Authority has also contributed during the brainstorming.
Valuable comments from across the board were well taken and after due consideration it will evolve appropriate curriculum. Invited guests, department heads, senior academic staff, and others participated in the workshop.
By Philips Joseph