Arba Minch University’s three-member delegation led by President, Dr Damtew Darza, has held a preliminary talks with visiting academicians from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Prof. Robert Oglepsy and Prof. Clinton Rowe to collaborate in the areas of meteorology and hydrology at Abaya Campus on September 19, 2016. Click here to see the Pictures.

American professors terming their informal visit as the fact-finding mission said, ‘‘We are touring different universities across Ethiopia to assess the situation and explore possibility of future collaboration in the areas that will benefit Ethiopia in the long run, Prof. Robert Oglepsy said.

Giving a lowdown on University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he said their Meteorology-Climatology program offers wide range of collaborative projects on climate change and simulation in Africa. And with recently developed regional consortium in Honduras with high resolution regional models one can understand key issues of tropical cyclone, precipitation and detect rainfall, etc.

Praising AMU’s Meteorology and Hydrology department and its infrastructure, they assured to tap funds for future collaborative projects, which will build AMU and individuals’ capacity; and informed, ‘Water for Food Institute,’ offers project avenues to boost agriculture in Africa.

Dr Damtew welcoming the visitors said, AMU is eager to collaborate on strategic issues that will enhance university’s profile by strengthening its three core areas of teaching-learning, research and community service and expressed strong readiness to move forward.

Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Yechale Kebede, opined that climate model and simulation will offer important inputs to Ethiopian policy makers that will benefit Ethiopia in a might ways.

Vice President for Research and Community Service, Dr Guchie Gulie, favoring strong ties with US universities said it will be easier to establish climate observation stations and different models in the region. He also proposed students exchange between the universities.

At the end, Dr Damtew informally announced department Head of Meteorology and Hydrology, Mr Mulugeta Genanu, to be the focal person for future collaboration between both universities. Mr Mulugeta Genanu anchoring the informal gathering also stressed the need to establish strong association with foreign universities.

 

(By Philips Joseph: Corporate Communication Directorate)