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Arba Minch University’s 29th Convocation held at Abaya Campus Auditorium on 25th June, 2016, saw 3,848 students graduating includes 3,760 UG, 88 PG and 47 Law graduates. Click here to see the Pictures.

Of total this year’s graduates, 50% accounts for engineering while remaining 50% were from other streams. As usual 2,716 boys made it to the list while only 1,054 girls romped home in both under and post-graduate categories.

The ceremony got off with the University President, Dr Damtew Darza, addressing graduates, said, ‘‘Ethiopia, having slammed the doors on degradation, has trained its focus on achieving sustainable growth to become world’s one of the middle-income generating countries by 2025. And for it, government is putting strong emphasis on quality education.’’

He informed, of the stipulated target for university to have 10% PG students under GTP-II, AMU has already achieved 6.6%. Further university is fully committed to acquire 40% PhD and 60% second degree-holder instructors to ensure unhindered growth. Much-needed gender parity has also been achieved by recruiting female teachers in both academic and ‘top’ administrative positions.

He exhorted graduates, saying, ‘‘It’s just the beginning of your journey, so when you step in the professional arena, either becoming an entrepreneurs or assuming governmental positions, it will require of you to be utterly responsible in whatever you do as it will decide the end result.’’

The Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Dr Kaba Urgesa, addressing on the occasion said, ‘‘Ethiopia is progressing in diverse fields where education intrinsically holds the key to development. Thereby, equitable dissemination of education is begetting skilled manpower to facilitate technology transfer that will ensure sustainable economic growth.’’

Calling upon graduates he said, ‘‘Be an ambassador and a role model of your university, as your success assumes significance as it came after the prolonged struggle, so let your conduct reflect democratic mindset, secular thinking and unbiased outlook.’’

The cumulative figure of 2015-16 AMU graduates is 5726, includes 3848 regular of June 2016, and 1878 passed in November 2015 & March 2016, via distance and continuing mode; of which, 4297 are males and 1429 females.

The comparative statistics gives an edge to AMU for it has visibly registered a substantial rise of 42.5% in its total number of graduates in UG and multifold increase in PG categories to that of last year’s 3882 UG and 88 PG figure. This year’s figure puts AMU’s overall graduates in the span of 29 years to 36,000.

Of cumulative figure, Institute of Technology with 2273 graduates topped the table; College of Natural Sciences has 731 graduates, College of Medicine and Health Sciences 292, College of Agricultural Sciences 350, College of Business & Economics 716 while College of Social Science and Humanities has had 1036 including 48 from School of Law and 328 PG graduates.

Seven male graduates adjudged top-scorers in UG category were awarded gold medals for their outstanding achievement are, Belete Petros Kurubo of Rural Development & Agricultural Extension (3.98), Shawul Gulelat Haile, Architecture and Urban Planning (3.96), Nigusse Lukama Oldisha, Sport Science (3.90), Abdulhakim Musema Zuber, Medical Laboratory (3.93), Melaku Haile Geberemedhin, Economics (3.91), Asmamaw Abebe Maru, Sociology & Social Anthropology (3.85) and Mesfin Wondwossen Abbi, Law (3.67).

Belete Petros Kurubo, Rural Development & Agricultural Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences lifted the winner’s Cup for standing top in the university with highest 3.98 GPA. Rahel Juma Chare, Midwifery (3.92) was awarded gold medal for notching up first spot among girls.

Seven female graduates felicitated for standing top in respective institute and colleges are, Rahel Juma Chare, Midwifery (3.92), Tsehay Geleta Wodajo, Biology (3.84), Mitin Markos Kimibicha, Rural Development & Agricultural Extension (3.89), Genet Gebreselasie Boku, Civil Engineering (3.66), Aynalem Moges Mamo, Economics (3.65), Worke Zewude Tsiye, Ethiopian Language and Literature-Amharic (3.59), and Mekdes Afework Game, Law (3.17).

Gamo Gofa Music band charged up the atmosphere with lilting ethnic melodies set the tone for the day. A number rendered by Community School students to congratulate graduates was an icing on the cake.

Registrar, Dr Belete Yilma, read out current year’s academic record followed by School of Graduates Studies’ Director, Dr Anto Arkato, who introduced PG graduates to the audience.

Thereafter, Institute of Technology’s Scientific Director and all college deans duly presented their graduates to the gathering. Deputy Minister, Dr Kaba Urgesa, Dr Damtew Darza, Dr Yechale Kebede and Gamo Gofa Zone Administrator, Mr Esayas Endrias, gave away degrees to the outstanding achievers. Corporate Communication Directorate Director, Mr Fissiha Bekele, anchored the program.

Later, dignitaries also visited exhibition displaying replicas of GERD, Tekeze dams, different architectural designs, banana pseudo-stem fiber extracting machine, textile and pilot process of municipal wastewater treatment plants, etc.

(By Philips Joseph: Corporate Communication Directorate)