Today AMU seems to have completed the quantum leap taken 6 year back by launching 5 PhD programs in water-related studies as Water Technology Institute’s first ever PhD student, Mr Kassaw Besha, of Wolayta Soddo University is granted PhD in Irrigation & Drainage Engineering; the dissertation defense was hosted at Main Campus on 22nd January, 2021. The 2nd PhD student, Mr Demelash Wondemeneh, AMU staff, is likely to defend thesis next week. Click here for the photos


AMU President, Dr Damtew Darza, thanking all for this historic occasion while opening 1st PhD Viva Voce, said, you know, when we move in right direction with determination, things fall in places and that’s what has happened today. AMU getting branded as Research University and successful graduation of its first ever PhD graduates isn’t just a coincidence; it was destined to happen for it will pave the way for long haul. It’s motivating that will make us confident enough to complete greater responsibilities in terms of creating more competent PhD graduates in different field of studies in the years to come.

He adds, this incident being the part of strategic plan which is in line with National Development Goal will enable us to hopefully launch 66 more PhD programs in next 10 years, which will be befitting tasks for our university along with developing scientific infrastructure that has Research as its main fulcrum now.

Being highly delighted by this achievement, Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Alemayehu Chufamo, said, I am on cloud nine for the successful graduation of our first PhD graduates. The road to success wasn’t easy; we have had innumerable challenges, but consistent efforts along with strong determination we could reach here. It’s like dream come true for after long travails and we have immense satisfaction as it will enable us to run PhD programs with better experience and greater competence in the country, he added.

For AWTI’s Scientific Director, Dr Abdella Kemal, it’s a historic moment for hosting AMU’s 1st ever PhD dissertation defense. He revealed that soon AWTI will launch PhD programs in Irrigation Engineering and Water Supply & Sanitation Engineering. And AMU being the host University for Irrigation Engineering and Groundwater Engineering, it expects to admit 30 and 20 students respectively and being co-host for Water Supply & Sanitation Engineering, 10 students will be admitted.

Elaborating further, he said, AMU being the Research University, AWTI will expand its PhDs, wherein all doctoral students need to publish their papers in the reputable journals. So, we have very good plan to do potential research, offer consultancy services and support government in mega water-related projects. In the years to come, the number of undergraduate programs will diminish as we train focus on Master and PhD programs.

Commenting on staff profile, he said, in the coming year, many PhD-holders will rejoin university and those ready for PhD study will be sent within and outside Ethiopia to enhance their expertise or they can join recently launched in-house PhD programs. We may also use our alumni settled abroad to share their rich experience with our students. And after 5 years, we are expecting to be self-reliant in terms of our own senior staff. He expressed gratitude towards university higher officials for their sustained support and commitment for the development and progress of the AWTI.

Dr Jeremiah Kiptala of Jomo Kenyetta University, Kenya, and Professor Tenalem Ayenew of Addis Ababa University, were external examiners while AMU’s Water Research Resource Center’s Director, Dr Samuel Dagalo, was internal examiner. International Water Management Institute’s Dr Alemseged Tamiru was Principal Supervisor, Dr Negash Wagesho is a co-supervisor; other AMU members were also in attendance.

The 1st PhD graduate of AWTI, Dr Kassaw Besha, a lecturer from Wolayta Soddo University, said, it gave me very good feeling to successfully complete doctoral study in Irrigation & Drainage Engineering. He attributes the credit of his achievement to AMU staff and its state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Presently, AWTI is running five PhD programs: Irrigation & Drainage Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Groundwater Engineering, Water & Environmental Engineering and Geo-Information & Earth Observation for Hydrology; the tally may go up in next five years.

(Communication Affaires Directorate)