Arba Minch University’s 30th Graduation held at Abaya Campus Auditorium on 8th July, 2017, saw 5,513 (4,979 UG & 534 Masters) graduating includes 4,164 male and 1,349 female graduates. Of cumulative UG figure of 4,979, 3,548 are regular, while Evening, Summer, Weekend and Distance categories account for 178, 1,149, 5 and 99 graduates; and of Master’s total 534, 216 are regular, while Evening, Summer, Weekend and Distance modes have 3, 146, 2 and 167 graduates respectively. Click here to see the pictures.

AMU President, Dr Damtew Darza, addressing gathering, said university takes pride in rolling out 5513 graduates this year; it reminds us about the target of 70:30 ratio in natural and social sciences that is successfully achieved. Similarly, under Growth and Transformation Plan-II, we have reached close to the target of having 10% Master graduates, by having 6.81% of them. Of total graduates, female accounting for 25% and 10.5% in both UG and PG categories makes our commitment to gender parity more credible.

He further adds that more importantly, research, one of the pillars of university has gained a huge momentum with 39% of teachers involving in it. And being committed to achieve required ratio of having teachers with Masters and PhDs, by 2017, 308 of them are pursuing Masters and 114 PhDs in Ethiopia and abroad. He exhorted graduates to be vigilant and work hard in their professional life that will boost in their personal career and national economic growth as well.

Public Service and Human Resource Development Minister, Mr Tagese Chafo, officiating 30th graduation, said, this moment marks your entry into altogether new phase of life. It’s here, where you will be confronted with umpteenth challenges, where endurance and your inner character will be at stake. It’s not the hurdles, but your fortitude, vision, honesty and never-say-die spirit will decide your fate, if you are optimistic and persevering, success will be yours.

Of this years’ 14 outstanding graduates, six male and eight females stole the limelight. Six male who bagged Gold Medals are, Kahsu Gebreyohanes Gebreslassie, 3.88, Mechanical Engineering, Fitsum Dejene Delisho, 3.95, Biology, Abebaw Teshome Demiss, 3.97, Economics, Tesfa Hussein Tassew, 3.99, Natural Resource Management, Lako Pulea Sima, 3.92, Civics and Ethical Studies and Beniyam Daniel Darge, 3.99, Nursing.

Eight females, Elshaday Mulu Fetene, 3.64, Mechanical Engineering, Zebiba Hussen Mohammed, 3.92, Biotechnology, Etabez Ayaye Tefera, 3.78, Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, Filagot Tefera Mengistu, 3.64, Ethiopian Language and Literature – Amharic, Genet Teshome Haile, 3.69, Hotel Management, Meron Hailu Teshome, 3.93, Nursing, Elsa Fantahun Fissiha, 3.71, Law and Nuhamin Yenesew Melaku, 3.55, Psychology, were felicitated for their achievements.

This year’s race for the overall cup winner was very close with both Tesfa Hussein Tassew in Natural Resource Management of College of Agricultural Sciences and Beniyam Daniel Darge in Nursing of College of Medicine and Health Sciences clocking 3.99 CGPAs.

The careful analysis of numbers of A+, A, A- and Credit hours made Tesfa Hussein winner by a whisker as he clocked 3.99305556 and latter 3.99190282 GPA was adjudged second. Meron Hailu Teshome of Nursing from College of Medicine and Health Sciences was declared best in female category with 3.93 GPA; she was rewarded a gold chain under special category.

The statistical analysis of last five years, beginning from 2013 (2,626), shows stupendous rise in the number of graduates. In 2014’s 3,672 graduates has the rise of 39.83%, 2015’s 5,228 graduates (1,556+) peg it to 42.37% and if relative data of 2013 and 2017 (2,887+) are any indications then AMU has taken a quantum leap of 109.93% in producing graduates.

Furthermore, the composite data issued by the University Registrar office, states that AMU in 30 years (1979-2017) has rolled out overall 42,517 graduates in Diploma, Advanced Diploma, UG & Master categories, of which 76.76% (32,638) are male and 23.23% (9,879) female graduates.

In a highly charged-up atmosphere, Gamo Gofa Zone Music band regaled the audience. A number rendered by Community School students was an icing on the cake.

Registrar, Dr Belete Yilma, read out this year’s record, while School of Graduates Studies Director, Dr Abera Uncha introduced Master graduates, followed by Institute of Technology’s Scientific Director, Dr Alemayehu Chufamo and all college deans presenting their respective figures. Gender Directorate Director, Ms Senait Sahle, introduced brilliant female graduates to the audience.

Mr Tagese Chafo, Dr Damtew Darza, AMU Board Chairman, Dr Negash Wagesho, Dr Feleke Woldeyes, and Gamo Gofa Zone Administrator, Mr Esayas Endrias, gave away degrees; Corporate Communication Directorate Director, Mr Fissiha Bekele, anchored the program.

(Corporate Communication Directorate)