‘‘Ethiopia has ushered in epoch-making changes in the past 21 years that has been recognized worldwide. And among these visible changes, education sector is the key where issues like strengthening enrolment, gender equality etc. were looked into that have spurred economic growth and capacity building. To achieve this, government has played more constructive role by taking requisite steps like creating needed educational infrastructure, recruiting faculties from within and outside the country etc.,’’ said Arba Minch University President, Dr Feleke Woldeyes. Pictures of the Graduation Ceremony
Dr Feleke was speaking at the 26th Convocation of Arba Minch University, which was held at Soccer Stadium, Main Campus on 13th July, 2013.
Getting down to the brass tacks, he said, ‘‘Under, Five-year Strategic Plan, primarily, AMU will be aiming to get 21650 students enrolled in the next academic year 2013-14. We pledge to work on quality education, creating creative and conducive environment, and gender equality. And in the next five years, AMU will certainly become a leading institution in water resources engineering not only in Ethiopia but across the world.’’
Lauding students for their success, he said, ‘‘The victory achieved today is the result of your hard-work, teachers’ efforts and parents’ aspiration. But, be wary, the value of your degree will also be assessed, the way you perform in the outside world. Therefore, don’t be complacent but be more attentive and responsible in what you do.’’
Prof Zinabu Gebremariam in his speech stressed government’s effort for the growth of higher education and strong support from the regional state and Gamo Gofa Zone that has led to the development of AMU. These above mentioned entities along with Alumni, he said, should work closely for the overall development of Arba Minch University.
Suggesting measures to sustain ongoing development, he said, ‘‘You need to work hard on quality education and teachers and students’ ethics; have rewarding system in place for the committed instructors and governmental organizations including Gamo Gofa Zone should make available budget for research activities. AMU community has lot to do to produce responsible citizen.’’
His Excellency, Vice President for South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region, Mr Tagese Chafo, who is also the chairperson of AMU Administrative Board was the guest of honour.
State minister for Trade and AMU Administrative Board member, Mr Yacob Yalla, State minister in House of Peoples’ Representatives and AMU Administrative Board member, Mr Wendimu Gezahegn, Deputy Director for Federal Revenue and Customs and AMU Administrative Board member, Mr Kaydaki Gezahegn, Rwandan Embassy’s Second Secretary in Ethiopia, Ms Clementine Uwamuguha, Gamo Gofa Zone’s Chief Administrator and AMU Administrative Board member, Mr Tilahun Kebede and various higher officials from Gamo Gofa Zone and Arba Minch town, AMU Senate members, AMU academic, administrative and support staff, parents and near and dears of graduating students graced the function.
Arba Minch University has conferred 2769 degrees including 2,732 Undergraduate and 37 Post-Graduate degrees for the year 2012-13. Around 35 graduates were adjudged as the top-scorers in UG category in different subjects; six of them with highest GPAs were awarded gold medals from respective colleges and the institute.
Zemenu Hadis Desalew from College of Social Science & Humanities has topped the table with GPA 4 in Ethiopian Language and Literature (Amharic). Apart from gold medal University has also honored him with a trophy for securing the highest score.
Yenealem Ewnetu Zewdie (Economics) from College of Business & Economics and Desta Lamore Erbo from College of Natural Sciences (Biology) remain second with GPA 3.96 each.
Jemal Seid Ebrahim from College of Agriculture Science bagged GPA 3.94, Gebremariam Temesgen Birgoda from College of Medicine & Health Sciences scored 3.92 in Midwifery and Seife Belete Ergete could attain GPA 3.81 in Hydraulics & Water Resources Engineering.
As per the statistics, 2732 UG degrees (2182 boys, 550 girls) were given from 30 programs and 37 Post-Graduate degrees in Geography & Environmental Studies, Biology, Economic Policy Analysis, Irrigation, Computer Science, Water Supply & Sanitation, Electrical & Power Engineering, Hydrology & Water Resource Management and Civil Engineering.
The undergraduate statistics send the alarming bell ringing for the girls as only 20.7% of them compared to 79.29% boys were successful. The total number of students got enrolled for this academic year was 15153, in which 11594 were boys and 3559 girls.
Six top-scoring girls from across five AMU colleges and institute were felicitated for their achievements, they are as follow:
Meron Mekuria Besha, with CGPA 3.85 in Economics from Business & Economics, Martha Fekadu W/Mariam, Social Science & Humanities, CGPA 3.63, Aster Kebede Manbegrot, AMiT, in Civil Engineering, CGPA 3.72, Bizualem Shenkute Amenshawa, College of Natural Science, Biology, CGPA 3.77, Befekaduwa Zekarias Gurumu (HO) from College of Medicine and Health Sciences, CGPA 3.79, Wagaye Alemu Tekalign from College of Agriculture in Animal Science, CGPA 3.78.
The College and institute-wise break-up about UG degrees is as follow: AMU has awarded 1030 degrees to students (856 male, 174 female) from Institute of Technology, 604 (464 male, 140 female) from Natural & Computational Sciences, 175 (135 male, 40 female) from Medicine & Health Sciences, 160 (133 male, 27 female) from Agriculture & Life Sciences, 455 (375 male, 80 female) from Business & Economics and 308 (219 male, 89 female) from Social Sciences & Humanities colleges.
Click the link to see The overall top-scorers in UG category in this academic year.
By Philips Joseph