With 3.98 CGPA, Belete Petros Kurubo has floored all top-scorers of Arba Minch University. A son of the farmer, unfazed by the glamour of life, takes refuge in God and attributes success to Him, parents and AMU teachers. He aspires to be a good teacher and share his expertise!
Belete, hails from a non-descript village Kemele at Konso, began his school at Gumaide and Gugnera Primary School and finally completed Grade 11 & 12 at Konso Preparatory and Secondary School in 2011.
On what made it possible for him to score high, he said, ‘‘I would study five to seven hours a day and meditate upon what I read on that particular day; it helped me to assimilate nuances of those subjects in an organized manner.’’
And why he chose Rural Development & Agricultural Extension, he said, ‘‘I always love Biology as it talks about body, so whenever I read it, I would feel as if, I am reading myself. So, I wanted to be a doctor, but unimpressive Grade 12 result let me down, and I settled for RDAE.’’
His Grandfather Kurubo Dibaya, an evangelist at 99, is still healthy at Karat. Father Petros Kurubo, a frequent preacher, owns 4 hectares of land where he grows corn and teff at Gumaide; mother, Katana Kasikute, is a housewife. Of five brothers and four sisters, the eldest sister is a farmer; third brother Beyene is pursuing Agro-Economic in Wolayta Soddo University and rests are in school.
On the subjects he liked, he said, ‘‘I loved crop-sociology and Extension, Monitoring and Evaluation while Agriculture Knowledge and Innovative System was bit challenging.’’
Unraveling his next course of action, he said, ‘‘Pursuing Master may be bit difficult as my father is facing financial crunch as he has to support other siblings. But, I will see what God has in store as the final call will be taken after talking to parents and teachers; or possibly I may opt to be an assistant lecturer in AMU.’’
On his achievement, he commented, ‘‘I am absolutely delighted and attribute it to my Lord Jesus who kept me healthy, parents who always encouraged me and my department’s head, Mr Yohannes Mare and other teachers contributed a lot.’’
When asked what makes him sad and happy, he adds, ‘‘I get dismayed when I lose marks but good grade gives immense happiness.’’ Playing lawn Tennis keeps him in good shape while playing key-board during worship especially on Psalms in Bible gives him indescribable joy.
Being grateful, he said, ‘‘University environment has been very conducive, I was supported by one and all despite challenges as campus is still under construction; but paucity of anything never deterred or dissuaded me from target, it rather made me resolute and I gained strength.’’
(By Philips Joseph: Corporate Communication Directorate)