Arba Minch University is all set to have its imprint within the country and across globe as soon it is going to unroll grandiose plan to launch nine PhDs, 32 Post and 15 Undergraduate programs in this academic year - 2016-17, informed Deputy Academic Affairs Vice President, Mr Abiot Tsegaye.
University President, Dr Damtew Darza, legitimizing the move said, ‘‘This plan is derived directly from Growth and Transformation Plan-II that makes it mandatory for each university to have at least 10% of total students pursuing PG programs. Similarly, the numbers of female students and instructors will also be proportionately increased as per the strategic plan.’’
Terming this initiative as unique, Dr Damtew says, it will strengthen AMU’s collaboration with national and international education and research institutions and open up new avenues making AMU exemplary in the field of water resource engineering across Africa.
Till date (2015-16), AMU has had three PhDs, 45 PG and 56 UG programs. With nine new PhDs, AMU altogether will host 12 PhDs in different subjects. Likewise new 32 PG and 15 UG programs will jack up AMU’s strength to 77 PG and 71 UG programs, an achievement in itself.
It’s important to note that of 15 new UG programs, three in particular i.e. BSc in Surgical Nursing, Neonatology Nursing and Ophthalmic Nursing have been chosen by Federal Ministry of Health as they would be the one choosing students and hiring them after their graduation.
It’s also learnt most of the organizations have assured to send their employees to pursue above mentioned programs to be launched and hire them once they are graduated.
About the status of the new programs, Mr Abiot Tsegaye, said, ‘‘Almost all programs have been through the internal and external evaluations, wherein most of them are harmonized, that will be launched in October 2016.’’
To carry out such huge responsibility, Mr Abiot adds, AMU has recruited many expatriate staff but we would need more. So, again in December 2016, apart from India and Philippines, AMU for the first time will look for academic staff from Cuba, Ghana and Nigeria.
On rationale for the launch of these programs, he informed, while choosing these programs, due attention was given to Ministry of Education’s standing directives to get need analysis done and an assurance from public and private organizations to hire future graduates and train their employees.
Mr Abiot further added saying, with Ethiopia embarked on a mission to establish climate-resilient green economy these programs have great demand in the market. He also revealed about the concerted efforts to establish super infrastructure that will make AMU unique in water resource engineering across African continent.
The subjects of nine new PhDs to be launched are Hydraulic Engineering, Hydrology, Biodiversity Management, Biotechnology, Public Health, Development Economics, Management Studies, Geography & Environmental Studies and TEFL.
PhD in Irrigation & Drainage Engineering is the first doctoral study which was launched in 2014-15, followed by PhD in Operation Research (Mathematics) and Animal Nutrition.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)