MSc in Irrigation Engineering and Management would address the concern of those students fearing small-scale irrigation may not put them on the higher footing. Previous two reviews have subjected this program to thorough churning and the final round would make it perfect, said Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Agena Anjulo. Click here to see the Pictures.

Dr Agena Anjulo said it while opening the curriculum review program for MSc in Irrigation Engineering and Management at Video Conferencing Hall, Main Campus on 5th February 2015. This PG program is supported by Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Development of Higher Education Institutions (NICHE).
This curriculum review is one of the deliverables of the project for Ethiopia, called “Capacity Development of Higher Education in Small-Scale Irrigation’ initiated by Netherlands government under its development cooperation program.
AMU’s Institute of Technology (IoT) along with other seven IoTs of Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Dilla, Hawassa, Haramaya, Jimma and Mekelle universities with UNESCO-IHE, the leader of consortium members, MetaMeta, Wageningen University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and International Water Management Institute are involved in the project implementation.
The program is devised with a view of producing skilled graduates who would plan, design, implement, manage, operate, maintain, improve and evaluate small-scale irrigation programs on the ground.
At the outset, Scientific Director, Dr Negash Wagesho, said, ‘‘We have discussed pertinent issues as to why we need this program.’’ Acknowledging Horns of Africa for working as a bridge for this project, he said this program would be launched in October 2015.
Water Resource Research Centre Director, Dr Mekonan Ayana, giving project background, said, ‘‘NICHE has 13 projects in Ethiopia, of which 12 focus on education and environmental issues. This project is particular meant to develop irrigation system begun in December 2012, and got operational from January 2014.’’
Dr Alex Bolding from Wageningen University along with Hermen Smit of UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education presenting the philosophy of the project reiterated, ‘‘This program is distinct for its 62.5% of practical exposure, integration in engineering and didactic approach with prime focus on action research.’’
Having dwelt into all variables, Dr Alex also informed about program’s employment potential by citing various ministries, governmental, private, research institutions and NGOs. He said, it’s two-year full-time program.
Apart from citing existing anomalies, participants including Indian Expatriates, Prof. Pratap Singh, Prof. Ashu Jain; Dr Bogale and others strongly wanted surface irrigation design, water-logging, salinity, ground water hydrology, quality aspect, drainage should be included; issue of logistics and monetary provision for field work was also raised.
Some underscored points like making linkage and specific guidelines for field work; while few differ with course coding and the time span to be devoted for research. Many were skeptical about the sustainability of the program.
Dr Alex and Dr Negash expressing their gratitude towards participants assured to plug the loopholes by incorporating relevant points to make this program market-driven and job-oriented. MSc in IEM to be launched in October 2015, will be run by Water Resources and Irrigation Management department.

(By Corporate Communication Directorate; Philips Joseph)