With 13th July convocation bringing down the curtain on 2012-13 academic sessions, Arba Minch University has embarked on a unique initiative. It has designed and rolled out a six-week long ‘Summer STEM Outreach Program’ (intensive laboratory courses) for talented 450 school students hailing from four zones that fall under Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region. The course begins from 17th July, at University’s Main Campus. Click here to see the pictures of the meeting.

‘‘This course is designed for the students from Std. 7th to 12th, with an objective to upgrade the quality of education, to get them acquainted with hi-tech laboratory equipments and through practical we would impart technical knowledge that will equip and develop required aptitude in them when they join university for higher education,’’ said the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and the leader of the program, Dr Agena Anjulo.

Other members of the core team who would supervise and facilitate the course are as follow: Asst. Prof. Dr Dawit Melese is the focal person; Natural Science College Dean, Dr Alemayehu Hailemichael, in-charge of Science unit, Students Service Centre Director, Dr Teshome Yirgu, and Continuing and Distance Education Dean, Dr Yechale Kebede, would jointly take care of logistics whereas Scientific Director from AMiT, Dr Negash Wagesho, would look into IT and Electronics

On 16th July, students were given an orientation about the intensive course at Old Cafeteria at University’s Main Campus. The core team has briefly explained them about each subject to be dealt with. And some of the students have also expressed their gratitude for being the part of this training.

These 450 students were carefully screened from Gamo Gofa, Segen People, South Omo and Wolaita zones. It is a residential training and all lodging, boarding and allied facilities are being provided by AMU.

These students are termed as STEM students. They will be learning following things; under Science section, they will be taught Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. In Technology, rudimentary knowledge about Information Communication Technology (ICT) will be imparted and under Engineering, they would be exposed to electronics.

As per the laid-out norms and formulated training manual, there will be three teachers, one each from university, high school and technical assistant solely responsible to facilitate the training, said Natural Science College Dean, Dr Alemayehu.

‘‘During the six-week training, students will also be taken on recreational visit to places near Arba Minch and some extra curriculum activities will also be carried out,’’ informed Dr Dawit. After the successful completion of the course, students would be given certificates.

By Philips Joseph