Addis Ababa: Having been categorized as an applied science higher leaning institute, Samara University is prioritizing dry land agriculture, tourism, and mining, University President, Mohammed Usman said.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, Mohammed noted that universities in Ethiopia had been engaged in duplication of study programs.
As a result, the government has categorized them into three namely; applied science, research, and comprehensive universities where Samara University is designated among applied science higher leaning institutes.
‘Samara University has given three areas for center of excellency; dry land agriculture, tourism and mining or earth science in general. So this area is endowed with multitude of tourist potentials, one of the best destinations of tourists; especially with regard to natural attractions you can take Erta Ale, Dallol; and Hadar, the birth place of humanity where Lucy was found,’ Mohammed elaborated.
Thus, the president emphasized that Samara University academic progra
ms and research will focus on all these untapped potentials for tourism.
The Awash River passes about 1200 kms through Afar throughout the year, he said and added:
‘The assignment expected from Samara University is supplying the technology, skills, trained manpower and how this land and water can be put to the livelihood and the transformation of the Afar community,’ he said.
The livestock is another area where the region has abundant camels and ensuring the health of them is of paramount important, he said adding that the Animal and Veterinary College is doing remarkable job in this regard.
‘We have huge land that we have taken from the regional government for research purpose. This dry land area is very fertile for fruits and we have fruit research center in the university campus and in Dubti. We are investing on date palm cultivation research in Asayita, where about 2,500 hectares of land is under construction,’ Mohammed added.
There are ongoing research on varieties of tomato and onion; he said addin
g that the university is highly engaged in transforming the livelihood of the Afar community and the country at large.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency