Arba Minch University is all set to launch a PhD program in Operations Research (Math) in the next academic year 2007 EC. In this connection, College of Natural Sciences’ Department of Mathematics has conducted an internal review on PhD Curriculum in Operations Research at Lecture Theatre on 2nd July, 2014; with this, AMU will have two doctoral studies to its credit.
Opening the workshop, Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Agena Anjulo, reiterated, ‘‘This proposed PhD curriculum developed on African initiative is important since Ethiopia is in need of skilled professionals in Operations Research which will be helpful for all development sectors. After the first PhD in Irrigation & Drainage Engineering, it will be the second one to be launched in new academic year. Emphasizing further, he adds, ‘‘Our staff will have opportunity to gain from this program and related fields. It will build staff capacity and fulfill the need of human resource in the country.’’
The review program began with College Dean, Dr Alemayehu Hailemichael, welcoming the participants. Presenting the curriculum, Prof Mohammad Ikram said, ‘‘The subject Operations Research,’ is a branch of applied mathematics, it came into being during World War-II, which is the science of optimal decision-making that avoids the risk of taking decisions by guessing or thumb rule.’’
This program offers immense scope for economist, statistician, decision-makers, politicians, planners, agricultural scientist to solve the problems by OR applications and techniques in the fields of agriculture, finance, industries, marketing, inventory etc.
The proposed PhD program will be of 4-year duration that will help students in acquiring knowledge in the subject of specialization. Defending the course duration, Dr Ikram and Dr Dawit, said, in Ethiopia, minimum duration of four and maximum six years is apt. However, students capable to produce thesis after three years is welcomed, they added.
On Safe Exit, Dr Ikram said, if one passes the major courses but failed to clear comprehensive exam will only be awarded MPhil. On Staff Profile, Dr Dawit and Dr Ikram have informed that the department will soon have expatriate staff and also have close contact with three different universities i.e. Jimma, Haramaya and Bahirdar universities.
On opening the study for other streams, Dr Ikram said, someone with MSc in Math or Statistics with Operations Research background will be accepted. Both presenters agreed to get the course reviewed by external reviewers and constructive suggestion to be accommodated.
Reacting to Dr Adane’s suggestion of crafting researchable areas in OR and giving more emphasis on research, Dr Dawit, said, use of AMU’s existing technology, software etc. will certainly be done.
Mathematics Department Head Mr Kewani Welay assured the audience to take necessary measure to come up the course which will be more optimized in Ethiopian context that will satisfy national needs and requirements by producing skilled professionals.
School of Graduate studies’ Director, Dr Anto Arkato, gave various comments and strongly asked to conduct need assessment and come up with the results indicating the need of the study. Both internal and external reviews would be done to put the course on global footing.
By Philips Joseph