Arba Minch University and Gamo Zone Administration have inked general Memorandum of Understating that will last 4 years to study societal bottlenecks in development and improve livelihoods via collaborative research undertakings and interventions so that community is served in right manner, the MoU states. Click here to see the photos
AMU President, Dr Damtew Darza and Chief Gamo Zone Administrator, Mr Berhanu Zewdie, have signed this general agreement recently at Haile Resort, Arba Minch; officials from both sides were in attendance.
Dr Damtew, speaking on the occasion, said, this collaboration assumes great importance for it’s the need of the hour that we must readdress society’s problems holistically because what has been done so far is inadequate and it needs to be scaled-up. Therefore, this joint venture will change the dynamics of social welfare. Initially, we will prioritize areas of mutual interest and with effective interventional strategy joint researches and specific humanitarian activities try to resolve social issues more profoundly. And under this dispensation, AMU will render professional services while Gamo Zone Administration contributes its resources depending upon different interventional activities.
Gracing the event, Research and Community Service Vice President, Mr Behailu Merdekios said, it’s stated that in coming 10 years collaborations of every higher education institution in Ethiopia particularly in community service has to be meaningful that will engage community and resolve their problems. We have been doing many researches for the community, but few really served the purpose. This agreement enjoins both partners to identify research thematic areas of mutual interest and reach out to community and address their issues in true sense of term.
He adds that 24 sectors under Gamo Zone will be collaborating with AMU, previously, we have had collaboration and doing researches which were bit scattered but this general agreement has formally streamlined this venture and will optimize forthcoming research activities under prioritized areas for the benefit of community.
The MoU clauses state that later on both partners will get into specific gears focusing research in urban waste, urban disaster & risk management, squatter settlement, urban land leasing, crime controlling, human rights, indigenous knowledge, agriculture, fishing & lakes protection, watershed management, media, natural resource utilization, health, social conflicts and technological shift, etc.
And in doing so, both are committed to build a nation of intelligent, inspired individuals and create future innovators who will contribute in making Gamo Zone in particular and Ethiopia in general a better place to live in. A consortium on ‘Sector industry-academia alliance model’ is likely to be constituted by expanding network by incorporating exceptional and visionary organizations in Ethiopia and abroad, it’s learnt.
Accordingly, AMU and Gamo Zone are expected to support each other in building human resource, boost institutional capacity; and bolster research, publications, technology transfer and training & mentoring. They will also facilitate internship program for students, ensure students and staff exchange and comply with fiscal prudence all through this collaboration.
This pact asks both parties to initiate potential research and associated activities keeping in mind mutual interest; with regard to multiple trainings, consultancy services, knowledge and technology transfer both will share equal responsibilities for required facilitation under specific terms of reference.
The joint projects can be conceived, developed and nurtured by both and they can look for public and external funding within the parameter of governmental fiscal norms. Both will have joint monitoring and evaluation team that will monitor, evaluate quarterly and annual desk and field reports to ensure flawless external communication on collaborative activities. To carry out every agenda uninterruptedly, operational platform will set up a permanent secretariat in that regard.
(Communication Affairs Directorate)