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Ambo University hosted the 5th Public Higher Education Institutions Sports Festival from February 4-19, 2012 in colorful fashion.

(See the details under “The Legacy of the Sports Festival” on page 7)

May, 2012No.1/Vol.1/

More Than Half Billion Birr Construction Underway at Ambo University

By Muleta Duguma

Ambo University has been undertaking different construction activities on the main campus and at the Woliso and Awaro sites, with the total cost of 587 million birr, allocated by the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The construction includes a student dormitory and cafeteria hall, classrooms, library, administrative building, main gate arc, oxidation pond, sports fields, and the establishment of new campuses at Ambo - Awaro, and Woliso.

According to Ato Tadesse Kenea, Administrative and Development Vice President, some of these construction activities are finalized and some others are nearing completion, while the construction of new campuses at Awaro and Woliso are underway.

Among these construction projects, the one taken over by Yotek Construction four years ago with a lump sum of 91 million birr - two block student dormitory, oxidation pond, sports field, cafeteria hall and G+3 classrooms - is finalized and fully operational at present.

Sports Festival Hosted at Ambo UniversitySports Festival Hosted at Ambo University

Continues on page 2

Student dormitory nearing completion at main compus

A race on the newly built track

Conference on English Language Education held at Ambo University

Ambo University Diversifying Its Programs

Dozens of Proposals on Hand

Gender and Legal Affairs Office Launched at Ambo University

International Women’s Day at Ambo University

Interview with Dr Mitiku Tesso, President, Ambo University

Chilimo Forest: An Unexplored Place of Attraction

The Legacy of the Sports Festival

ELIC AT AMBO UNIVERSITYInterview with English Language

Improvement Center Coordinator: Margareta Lambacka - Walker

Ambo University: A Place of Cultural Diversity

Chewing Chat

Ambo University in Pictures

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E-mail: [email protected]

Vol.1 No.1 May, 2012

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Coordinators

Editor

Reporter

Photographers

Dr.Tadesse BoyossaGizaw Debebe

Bertram Grant

Muleta Duguma

Belayneh Hunde

Roderick Besseling

Another project, undertaken by GAD Construction for the lump sum of 41 million birr, which includes the library building(G+2), administrative building (G+3), and main gate arc- is also finalized and operational.

In addition, a four- block student dormitory project, carried out by Teklebirhan Ambaye Construction, with a 79 million birr lump sum, is nearing completion. According to Ato Tadesse, 97% of this project has already been finalized and the rest is to be finished very soon.

Also, the new campus establishment project at the Awaro site and Woliso Campus, which was started

Continued from page 1

three years ago and financed by the Ministry of Education, with the total sum of 305 million birr, is going on intensively with its construction. The project supervision was transferred from the Ministry of Education to Ambo University in July, 2011. Since then, the project has gone well under the supervision of Ambo University. Another sports field construction project, started this year and carried out by Yotek Construction, with the total sum of 62 million birr, is nearing completion. One of the sports field construction projects is Ambo University Stadium, the biggest of its kind in the history of the university.

The overall construction projects, according to the Vice President, has enabled the university to carry out its teaching-learning activities and the daily office work effectively, and to deliver appropriate services to the community in a better way than the previous periods. Particularly, the construction of recent sports fields beside the main stadium, such as the basketball, tennis, volleyball, and hand ball courts, played a paramount role in hosting the 5th Public Higher Education Institutions Sports Festival that took place from February 4-19, 2012 at our University , Tadesse added.

More Than Half Billion Birr...

Conference on English Language Education held at Ambo University

By Muleta DugumaA three-day conference with the theme of “Enhancing the Quality of English Language Education in Ethiopia” was held from March 22-24, 2012 at Ambo University.

The conference was organized by the Embassy of the United States of America in Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ambo University and the New York based, Institute of Education. The event attracted participants from different sectors, such as leaders of tertiary and secondary education, curriculum developers,

education researchers, and representatives from government and private sectors. Continues on page 3 conference participants engaged in group work

construction at Awaro campus



Ambo University Diversifying Its ProgramsFounded sixty-five years before as High Agriculture School, and joined to the club of Ethiopian universities only three years ago, Ambo University is currently diversifying its program by increasing its undergraduate courses to thirty-eight and the post graduate to eight.

According to Ato Terefe Tolesa, director of the university’s registrar’s office, the newly added fields of study are Agri-Business and Value Chain Management, Medicine, Midwifery, Adult Education and Community Development, Psychology, Electrical and Computer Engineering to the undergraduate program and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) to the postgraduate program.

The diversification of the programs is designed to train the skilled manpower that the nation needs in its development endeavor, Ato Terefe added.

Dozens of Proposals on HandBy Muleta DugumaA total of 67 research proposals have been submitted to the Research, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office at Ambo University in this fiscal year.

The office director, Ato Ulfina Galmessa, told Ambo University Newsletter that, of the total projects, seven have been completed and 36 are ongoing. The rest are new projects.

The number of projects proposed by each college/institute varies.The College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and College of Business and Economics take the main share by proposing 19, 17, and nine projects respectively.

According to Ato Ulfina, more than 90% of the

projects are conducted at the community level. The result of the research projects, he added, will have tremendous importance in improving the well-being of the local community in particular and the development of the country at large.

Research activities, which were in their infancy at Ambo University until recent years, have now found their basis on a solid ground, Ato Ulfina said. As a step to implement BPR (Business Process Reengineering), the university has established a committee to enhance research, knowledge and technology transfer.

The Office of Research, Knowledge and Technology Transfer, working hand in hand with the committee, has conducted a series of activities to curtail the prevailing problems, the director concluded.

Continued from page 2Conference on English... In his keynote address, Ato Fuad Ibrahim, State Minister of Education, said that while great efforts had been exerted to expand education opportunities to Ethiopian citizens, there were still gaps in quality that needed the effort of all partners. Without due attention and unreserved efforts to promote the quality of English language in the country, Ato Fuad stressed, students could not easily grasp their academic studies. “That is why the promotion of quality English language

instruction is part and parcel of our general program aimed at the improvement of quality education,” he said.

The President of Ambo University, Dr. MitikuTesso, in his welcome speech praised the expansion of educational institutions in the country and emphasized the need for enhancing the quality of education. He also pointed out that his university is working vigorously towards this end.

Continues on page 6

students attending class

By Muleta Duguma



Gender and Legal Affairs Office Launched at Ambo University

As part of its continuous effort to promote gender equality, Ambo University has established a new office- the Gender and Legal Affairs Directorate.

According to W/t. Tigist Tarekegn, Director of the Gender and Legal Affairs Directorate, the newly launched office is aimed at fighting gender inequality by empowering females socially, culturally, economically and politically.

In order to achieve this goal, different activities such as trainings on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, assertiveness, study and coping skills are being given to female students, W/t. Tigist added. Moreover, the office is responsible for tutorial classes, support of needy students and a special follow-up for those who join the campus through affirmative action.

In collaboration with the university management, W/t. Tigist said, her office is planning to address the following issues:

• developing guide lines for tutorial classes and support of needy students based on the framework of the Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Women, Youth and Children

• creating links with governmental and non-governmental organizations in order to obtain technical and financial support, and for experience sharing purposes

• arranging workshops on the issue of

By Muleta Duguma

gender mainstreaming for sustainable gender activities

• arranging continuous training for capacity building both for students and staff members

Ambo University has been engaged in promoting gender-related issues since 2005/06 by encouraging the establishment of a gender office as a unit under the Office of Student Dean. The university also supported a volunteer female and male teachers’ group, which in turn established the Center for Gender Initiative-CGI.

The newly established directorate reports directly to the Office of the President with an increasing number of duties and responsibilities.

International Women’s Day at Ambo UniversityBy Margareta Lambacka-Walker /ELIC trainer

On March 8, 2012, a coffee ceremony was held at the English Language Improvement Center (ELIC) to celebrate International Women’s Day. Female staff and students were invited to learn more about the excellent facilities for English language improvement available at Ambo University for staff and students, and, of course, to celebrate WOMEN!

Sister Informing Sister (SISTA) facilitators



Interview“ Many people worked as one, so it gave us strength.”- Dr Mitiku Tesso,

President, Ambo UniversityBy Muleta Duguma

Dr. MitikuTesso, President of Ambo University, is one of the longest serving staff members at the institution, having served for 31 years. Dr. Mitiku joined the faculty here when it was called “Ambo Junior College of Agriculture.” A graduate of Plant Science from the then Alemaya College of Agriculture, now Haramaya University, he has taught a number of subjects along the way, and has served in different administrative positions for the last 18 years. He held a short interview with AUN.

AUN: What kind of changes have you observed since you joined this university?

Dr. Mitiku: The changes that have taken place in this university are really unbelievable. When I first joined the faculty here, the institution was very small and the number of students at the college was not more than several hundred.

Anyhow, we really worked hard; not only the management, but also the whole staff and administrative workers who worked hand in hand with the government. And, I think the changes that have come are very much dramatic. I really believe that if people work together, if people work with the government, changes not only in Ambo, but everywhere in the country can really come.

AUN: What examples can you give concerning these changes, please?

Dr. Mitiku: Well, when I first came, the institution only offered diplomas. Now, it is a university with 38 undergraduate and eight postgraduate programs. Also, the infrastructure we have now

is an indication of changes at our university.

AUN: Let me bring you back to the 5th Public Higher Education Sports Festival which took place here at Ambo University. What can you say regarding this event?

Dr.Mitiku: I just want to quote the saying of our hero athlete , Haile G/Sillassie, who always says, “We can!”

So, when we took the responsibility of hosting this festival, we just said, “We can!” and we did. For anything, if people come together to work, and if there is support from the government, if commitment is there from all the staff members and the community, there is nothing we can’t do. This is how we really came into it, how we managed and organized everything. And we did something successful from which other institutions can learn.

AUN: What about your per-sonal satisfaction concerning the accomplishment of this fes-tival?

Dr.Mitiku: I was very satisfied with what I saw. Many people worked as one, so it gave us strength. Morale was high. I am really thankful to all the Ambo University

community members for their efforts.

AUN: What does the future hold for Ambo University?

Dr. Mitiku: We have our vision and ambition. Our vision is to be very much active in the country, in East Africa, in Africa, and finally in the world. This is where we want to go. Our mission is to serve our community, to serve the people, to really work in agriculture, to find solutions for farmers, to work on the quality of education, to produce highly qualified professionals in all fields. This is our vision.

AUN: Your final word?

Dr. Mitiku: Yes, the strength we have should be stronger. We’ve worked well together as a team, and we have to continue on that track. We have to really be one. We have to be disciplined. We have to trust each other, and work as one to make this poor country food self-sufficient, and to put it on the same level as those countries that have middle income in the next 15 to 20 years. This is the direction in which we want to take this university.

AUN: Dr. Mitiku, I thank you very much for sharing your views with us.



Continued from page 3Conference on English... According to Dr. Mitiku, “English is a language of instruction, research and publication at every university in Ethiopia. Hence, a good command of the language plays a significant role in the academic success of our students. Nevertheless, English language ability at Ethiopian universities needs further improvement, and this conference is one step forward towards achieving that.”

The US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald E. Booth, discussed a number of his government’s initiatives to enhance English language education in Ethiopia. As part of this support, he added, USAID has provided more than 24 million dollars in the last six years to develop and publish English textbooks from grades 1 to 8, and supported related teacher training programs. In addition to this, US supported Peace Corps English language programs and a two-year extensive extracurricular English language training for high school students are examples of US government support to Ethiopia in the area of English language education.

The three day conference was moderated by Rebecca Smoak, a US government English language specialist, based in Dar es Salaam, who promotes English language teaching and learning in East Africa.

Chilimo Forest: Unexplored Place of AttractionBy Yaboneh Bonge, 3rd year English Major

A few weeks ago, our trip, organized by the British Council for Active Citizens, took Ambo University students and staff to a historical site called Chillimo, a place covering almost 5,000 hectares of dense forest. The area is situated at a distance of 26 kilometers northwest of Ambo and about 7 kilometers to the east of Ginchi.

After a two-hour bus journey, we arrived at Chillimo. It didn’t take long for us to meet our tour guide since he was there already waiting for us. After giving us a brief history of the forest, he took us to an old house whose construction was commenced by the fascist Italians and later finished by Ethiopians. It is said that Emperor Haile Selassie promised his wife the house if she gave birth to a son. Continues on page 7

Ambo University students and staff attending briefing at Chilimo site

left to right-Ambassador Booth, Ato Fuad Ibrahim, Dr. Mitiku Tesso



I was still staring at the house when I heard a cry of astonishment from my mates a little distance from me. It was due to the giant juniper tree, which was not only a tree but a ladder. It consists of a number of rungs starting from the top to the bottom. This ladder-tree was made by an Italian general to deceive the Ethiopian forces. The general had climbed the tree holding the Ethiopian national flag to wave as a sign of surrender. It was not a real surrender but an attempt to sandwich the Ethiopians. Realizing the attempted trap, the Ethiopian general, Jagema Kello, fired his gun at the flag. The bullet hit the Italian general and instantly killed him.

The historic tree is still alive with its rungs intact. To me, it seems to be criticizing us by saying “You could use me as a means of generating income, if you were wise.” The Italians erected a monument

Continued from page 6Chilimo Forest: ...

The Legacy of the Sports FestivalBy Gizaw Debebe

In February 2011, it was announced that Ambo University would host the 5th Ethiopian Public Higher Education Institutions Sports Festival. Right after the news, emotions ran high. A considerable number of people expressed mixed emotions about the news. Some felt very excited. Others were skeptical about whether the facilities at Ambo University were ready for such a challenge.

The uphill task of preparation was left to Ambo University and the surrounding community. Before the announcement of the news, which was delivered from Bahir Dar University, the host of the previous sports festival, Ambo University had only one soccer field, which was at the time under construction.

It was with guts and determination that the university management and community went ahead in planning and executing the detailed activities. In September 2011, the university signed an agreement with Yotek Construction PLC to construct all the sports facilities. The deal included the construction of a soccer field, and eleven courts for volleyball, basketball, handball and tennis. Upgrading the existing soccer field was also part of the agreement.

Incredibly, all the construction activities were

accomplished by the end of January, 2012-just ahead of time. The event had been planned with painstaking attention to detail, everything passing through the planned channels.

The eve of the festival and the opening session were very unique not only to Ambo University, but also to Ambo Town residents. The colorful welcoming ceremony, both by the local community and the university, remains unforgettable to many. Seeing the parades of vehicles accompanied by colorful horse-riders, who were presented with traditional foods and drinks at the entrance of Ambo Town, was a memorable sight. The same

was true for the line of sports delegates from different universities. Continues on page 8

there for their general, though only a fragment of it is still there. But the Ethiopians have done nothing for their patriots, nor anything for the tree. For me, it is our national and ethical duty to commemorate our history and historical sites. We need to do more at Chilimo, both as a historical and tourist site.

there for their general, though only a fragment

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Partial view of Ambo University Stadium


ELIC at Ambo University

Interview with English Language Improvement Center Trainer

Margareta Lambacka Walker

AUN: What services are offered at the English Language Improvement Center (ELIC)?

Ms. Lambacka-Walker: ELIC is open from Monday to Friday, from early morning to 5:30 in the evening. Anyone from the university can come in and, through different activities we offer, improve their English language skills. We have computers, books, reference books, and magazines. We also offer a reading club, an academic writing class, and we’ve just started a basic English course for secretaries. ELIC is open to everyone here at Ambo University.

AUN: What is the primary goal of ELIC?

Ms.Lambacka-Walker: The primary goal of ELIC is to improve the English language proficiency of staff, faculty, and students here at Ambo University.

AUN: Who provides the funding for ELIC?

Ms. Lambacka-Walker: We have funding from the World Bank. But that funding is ending on July 6, 2012. Continues on page 9

Continued from page 7The Legacy ...

Continues on page 9

On February 4, 2012 the opening session of the long-awaited festival was televised live on Ethiopian Television to the people of Ethiopia and the rest of the world. Dignitaries, including His Excellency Ato Demeke Mekonnen, Minister of Education, His Excellency Ato Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water and Energy and Ambo University Board Chairperson, state ministers, commissioners, and other senior officials both from the federal government and the Oromia Regional State attended this very colorful ceremony.

The presence of the Federal Police March Band and the parade of more than three thousand competing students, in the cultural dress of the community from where they came, were the center of attraction at this event. Of course, similar glorious events were displayed at the closing session, as well, where His Excellency Ato Kassa T/Birhan, the Speaker of the House of Federation, was the guest of honor.

The competition, among twenty-five universities in twelve games, of which included a swimming demonstration, took place for fifteen consecutive days, ending on February 19, 2012.

During their fifteen-day stay, the sports delegates enjoyed warm dinner receptions hosted by the Ambo Town Administration and by Ambo University. They also toured Wenchi Crater Lake and were entertained by the scenery and its surroundings. The cultural presentations at night by the students throughout the two weeks showed the great diversity of Ethiopia in one hall.

In general, the festival was run smoothly and celebrated colorfully. This fact was supported by festival goers who commented that the town of Ambo and Ambo University performed more than what was expected. It was a magnificent performance and a truly memorable occasion.Well-done!

May, 2012No.1Vol.1

By Medhanie Gidey



AUN: What are some of the achievements of ELIC so far?

Ms. Lambacka-Walker: I have only been here for six months. In six months, you achieve very little. But ELIC was here at Ambo University before I came. Also, it is very difficult to get people to come to the center. Many people still don’t seem to realize that we exist. We have ten computers and lots of software and books, which can help improve English proficiency.

AUN: Can we talk about your background? Have you been doing the same thing in other countries?

Ms. Lambacka-Walker: I have taught English in many countries including England, Sweden, China,

ELIC at ... Continued from page 8

Continued from page 8The Legacy ...At the end of the day, Ambo University has been left with an enormous sports facility, which otherwise would have been unlikely, at least in such a short time frame. This includes a football stadium with a capacity of up to 15,000 spectator seats, and two-side tribunes with fully-fledged service to players and other team members. The other football field is now nearing completion. Moreover, eleven courts for volleyball, basketball, handball, and tennis are part of the sports facility currently available at Ambo University. A swimming pool and a gymnasium will also add to Ambo University’s sports infrastructure in the near future. Congratulations to Ambo!

new stadium, field, and courts

Vietnam and Cambodia. I have also worked in Nigeria.

AUN: What are some of the challenges you have faced here at Ambo University?

Ms.Lambacka-Walker: Lack of funding. We need money to keep a good center going. We also need to become known and for students and staff to realize how important ELIC is in terms of achieving their goals.

AUN: Do you have any final words for this interview?

Ms. Lambacka-Walker: Ambo University has a great future ahead. But like all things, we have to work hard. ELIC is here to help everyone, and our staff is happy to do just that.

Continued from page 10Ambo University: ...

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This left me thinking how great all this diversity here on campus is, and for me to live among people of different cultures, ethnicities, and religions. I now realize how the campus diversity creates tolerance and awareness in our minds and makes it possible for us to live with different people from all over. As I sat in the meeting, I remembered the cultural event at the sports festival and how impressed I was. I hope Ambo University will have more of these cultural events in the future.

Ambo University: A Place of Cultural Diversity

Recently, students held a meeting about social life on the campus. During this meeting, one student commented about the diversity of students here at Ambo University. He cited the students he had met from different ethnic groups of Ethiopia, such as Amhara, Tigray, Oromo, Guraghe, Silte, Wolayta, Affar and many others. I realized that what he was saying was true and that before I came to Ambo University, I didn’t know much about the people of other cultures that I now study and live with. But now that I am a student here, I feel happy to be exposed to so many different cultures. Also, we discussed the cultural event at the sports festival back in February, where we got to see many of the different traditional clothes, foods, music, etc. of these diverse cultures.

Another student at our meeting agreed with the first student and added that the university is not just for academic education, but also a place to socialize with people from different cultures and ethnicities here in Ethiopia because the students come from all over and speak many different

By Muhedin Edris (2nd year English Major)

Continues on page 9

languages. What’s more, according to this student, we live brotherly without conflict.

Also, at the meeting was the student representative of the dormitory. He mentioned that the freshmen here initially have difficulty with sharing their ideas with each other due to the different languages, cultural traditions, and religions. But the representative also said that after about a month, the students adapt to each other and live peacefully.

Chewing Chat By Yonas Demera (2nd year English Major)

Chat is an addictive shrub that grows in different parts of the world, particularly here in Ethiopia in areas such as Harar, Jimma, Wondo Genet and other places. The origin of the plant is uncertain but an English explorer by the name of Sir Richard Burton argued that it first grew in Ethiopia and then moved to Yemen in the 15th century. However, the tradition of chewing chat dates back to the time of the Pharaohs, who believed that it was a divine food that brought divinity to humans. Chat consumers around the world claim that they chew the plant for increased sensitivity and concentration. They also claim it to be a pick me up when they are depressed. But the disadvantages are usually neglected.

I strongly believe that chat consumption has more negative effects than positive ones. Just think about it. Students chew and chew and chew and then read a lot in a short time. Let’s then assume that they get good grades. What happens next? They find themselves seeking more and more chat even if there is no exam. This is because of the addictive nature of chat. Then, before you know it, the appetite for food is gone, and you find yourself talking too much. In the long run, you may get sick both mentally and physically. Wow! All of this for what? What is more valuable than your health?

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Vol.1 No.1 May, 2012Ambo University in Pictures

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