Education
More Investment in University Education
This summer saw 798 new first and second class degree graduates from Unity University including 17 students graduating with a degree in mining engineering, the first students to graduate from a school within Ethiopia with this kind of degree. Further expansion of Unity University is anticipated. Two new programmes in both animal and horticultural production and technology have been launched.
As guest of honour at the graduation, Mohammed Al Amoudi drew attention to the link between Ethiopia’s huge investment potential and university education. He noted the importance that his company, MIDROC Ethiopia, gives to the latter and he linked university education firmly to national pride and development.
Support for Ethiopian Space Research
Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi has been the main sponsor of a $3.4 million observatory in Ethiopia to be operated by the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) whose 1,800 members also contributed to its construction. It opened for use on 19 October. This is East Africa's largest observatory, situated 3,200 metres (10,500 feet) above sea level in the Entoto mountains just outside Addis Ababa and it is designed to promote astronomy and astrophysics research in the region. It has two telescopes, each one metre (over three feet) wide and research programmes may include the search for exoplanets.
Ethiopian national interest in space discovery started with the foundation of the ESSS in 2004. The Ethiopian mountains are an ideal location for space observation because of minimal cloud cover, moderate winds and low humidity. The Society began by introducing astronomy courses into the Ethiopian educational system but it gained increasing political support as the country developed. The Government is now intent on formulating a national space policy in the coming years, with plans to launch Ethiopia’s first satellite in three years to study weather and assist in telecommunications.
The rationale lies in seeing science as central to national development and fully compatible with a fast growing agriculturally-based economy. It also fits with a wider African commitment to engaging with space research, as announced by the African Union in 2009. There are also plans for a second observatory, intriguingly positioned near the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela showing that cultural tradition and modern science can co-exist. There is also the prospect of ‘space tourism’ as a revenue earner since the Ethiopian Mountains can offer a unique perspective on the skies. The Director of the Observatory is Solomon Belay.
King Saud University Endowments Reviewed
On a recent visit to King Saud University earlier this month, Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi met with KSU Rector Badran Al-Omar to review the progress of the KSU endowment projects funded by the Sheikh. The meetings were also attended by KSU Vice President Abdulaziz Al-Rouis, Secretary General of KSU Endowments, Abdulhamid Al-Abduljabbar, and the manager of the rector’s office, Mr. Khalid bin Rashid Al-Meshari. The Sheikh visited the Endowment Centre and toured the permanent endowment exhibition, inspecting scale models of the various projects. The Sheikh is a key supporter of KSU’s endowment programme which was launched in 2007.
Photo credit: King Saud University
Over 1,000 new graduates at Unity University
All together 1,241 students graduated in August from MIDROC Group's Unity University in first degree, second degree, diploma and certificate programs. This was Unity University’s 30th graduation ceremony. Another 179 students graduated from Unity University’s Adama Branch with first degrees or diplomas.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Millennium Hall. President of the University and Chief Executive of Midroc, Dr. Arega Yerdaw, said that the University had put special emphasis on management and leadership studies while continuing to provide courses in general engineering, mining, information technology, architecture, urban planning and mechanical engineering. Selam Nurses College will continue to expand its clinical and pharmacy departments. He added that Unity University is working to be Ethiopia’s premier academic institution and centre of excellence for management.
MIDROC’s investment in education continues with the opening of the Unity Academy in the New Year. At the Academy, students can study from kindergarten to 4th grade and prepare themselves for the University. As Chairman of the University, Sheik Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi issued the degrees and diplomas as well as awards to those students who had scored high marks.
As well as promising to make Unity one of the best universities in the world, the Sheikh promised to help the talented disadvantaged who, for economic reasons, are often not able to attend universities. Special awards named after Al Amoudi were also handed out to a number of individuals who contributed significantly to Unity University, including Shetaye Menale as first woman to be Deputy Speaker of the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives.
Backing for Ethiopian Coffee Museum & Research Centre
Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi has donated 10 million Birr (around $600,000) to the creation of a museum in the National Coffee Zone in Bonga in the Kaffa Zone of SNNP Region in Ethiopia. This donation represents just over a third of the estimated final cost.
The project comprises a coffee quality research centre, exhibition and meeting halls, and a cafeteria, and started construction in 2008 and was understood to be 70% complete at the time of the donation with full completion by the end of the year. The museum is designed not only to promote the coffee heritage of the region but also to support research.