In this pandemic era, AMU hosting 33rd Virtual Convocation at New hall, Main Campus on 5th September, 2020, saw 2,326 graduating of which 1,823 are males and 506 females. This batch has 1,233 Master and 1,093 Undergraduates from all streams being taught in the university via Regular, Distance & Continuing modes of education.
Dignitaries like Gamo Zone Administrator, Mr Birhanu Zewede, Jinka University President, Prof Gebre Entiso, other invited guests and AMU community graced the event which was live on Facebook and YouTube from 8.30 am onwards for the home viewers. Click here to see the pictures
The University President, Dr Damtew Darza, addressing the graduates, said, this 33rd graduation is being hosted in highly unprecedented circumstances as you all know that world is grappling with Corona virus pandemic that till date has inflicted immeasurable misery to entire humanity; almost every sector is badly hit among which Education is one. Nevertheless, we humans know how to get acclimatized and move on.
After giving a lowdown on AMU programs and expanding infrastructure, he called upon graduates saying ‘‘Gird up their loins as you will be entering into commercial arena which needs your expertise for different sectors. Now it’s time to serve the nation by your enterprising spirit and innovative mind as nation awaits you to give fresh impetus to sectors such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, trade, industry, retail, etc. As we move on we know situation isn’t favorable, but we expect, in future, things will be conducive.
Ethiopia is striving to speed up pace of development and education is the best tool to achieve and it could be possible only when nation has potential researchers and ace professionals to solve social problems; our government has established universities which can produce required trained professionals. Having categorized as Research University, AMU is expected to churn out capable graduates who can fit the bill, stressed, Gamo Zone Administrator, Mr Birhanu Zewede,
He further adds, present difficult situation must not deter you, on the contrary, you must make best of it; I would say, muster your inner strength, hone professional attributes and get ready to do the best. Don’t be a pushover, it will imperil your longevity; therefore, work hard and shine like silver and be an asset for the nation.
Adhering to World Health Organization’s directives selected officials, graduates, some of their relatives, patrons and stakeholders wearing masks were made to sit at a distance from each other. The truncated ceremony began with Gamo Zone Musical Band performing ethnic numbers was held in a stipulated time.
At the outset, Corporate Communication Directorate Director’s Delegate, Mr Bedru Hirigo, welcoming the gathering informed that till date, University could produce over 56,000 graduates in multiple streams of instructions who are rendering their professional services in different parts of Ethiopia.
Further he urged the graduates on behalf of Alumni Association President, Mr Ermias Alemu, to get them registered online and keep in touch with alma mater. He also apprised them about AMU’s preparedness during Corona virus onslaught and hosting of possible graduation ceremony for regular undergraduates, he said, will depend upon the situation and directives from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
University Registrar, Dr Belete Yilma, having briefed the gathering about 33rd Graduation, called upon Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Yechale Kebede, who, in turn, reading out the institute, college and school-wise data, said, as per the record, Water Technology Institute has 28, Institute of Technology 239, College of Natural & Computational Science, 51, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, 280, College of Agricultural Sciences, 164, College of Business & Economics, 267, College of Social Science and Humanities, 494, School of Law, 5, School of Pedagogical & Behavioral Sciences, 32, etc.
This year’s Master graduating class of 1,233 has had 1,008 male and 225 female students of which 392 were Regular; 313 Evening, 702 Summer and Weekend students and 528 (377 male, 151 female) graduates from Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Law has only 1 passing out this time. Similarly, of 1,093 under-graduates who could complete their respective degrees 366 were Regular (253 male, 113 female) while Evening had 69, Summer 581, Distance mode had 77 graduates.
(Corporate Communication Directorates)