AMU will be hosting two important programs on March 14, 2015. In the morning foundation stone for university’s upcoming teaching-cum-referral hospital will be laid followed by the Graduation ceremony for 97 graduates at New Auditorium, Main Campus. In the morning dignitaries from the Ministry of Education, AMU top brasses and officials from Gamo Gofa Zone and Arba Minch Town Administration will lay the foundation stone for upcoming 300-bedded teaching-cum-referral hospital opposite Madhanalem Church at Secha.
Thereafter, begins graduation ceremony at Main Campus for Institute’s Technology’s 61 graduates from Architecture and Urban Planning department along with 36 graduates of Medical Science from College of Medicine and Health Sciences. Passing graduates’ family members and university community members will grace the function.
Scientific Director of Institute of Technology, Dr Negash Wagesho, being ecstatic for his successful BSc graduates said, ‘‘This graduation ceremony is unique in a way because of the enhanced study duration of 5 ½ years of Architecture and Urban Planning course. We have added one extra semester of purely practical nature to make it more relevant and timely.’’
Elaborating further he adds, ‘‘This graduation is second in series as the first graduates with 5 ½ years of duration were passed out in 2013-14. The prime aim of this program is to provide students with great deal of practical exposure that facilitate internship through which students can acquire hands-on practical training from the industry.
More practical courses related to architecture engineering were added to promote self-learning and develop design capability so that students would be able to solve real problems in the country, he summed up.
Dean of College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mr Behailu Merdikios, is all praise for the maiden batch of 36 graduates from his college. He said, ‘‘It’s sheer coincidence that we are laying the foundation stone for our new referral-cum-teaching hospital on the same day.
This training has been costly which demand human and other resources, however, despite constrains we are through and I feel satisfied, when external examiners said we are producing quality medical doctors. Our next course of action is to start specialized training for our doctors. When our 30 on-study-tour staff members come back it could be a reality,’’ he added.

(By Corporate Communication Directorate: Philips Joseph)