BDU hosts national conference on STEM education
BDU: Bahir Dar University hosted a national conference on “Present and Future Direction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education in Ethiopia.”
While welcoming participants, Dr.Baylie Damtie said the University had been striving to promote STEM education within and beyond its borders in order to install scientific thinking.
He announced the commencement of summer outreach programmes and the admission of 450 students drawn from Amhara(mainly from Bahir Dar City) and Benishangul Gumuz National Regional States, in order to improve their knowledge and competencies in science,technology,engineering and mathematics.
The Ministry of Education Minister Demeke Mekonnen explained that the conference was meant to brief participants about STEM education, to discuss strategies that would help to scale up STEM at country level, and to find ways of how to align its activities with Mr.Mark Gelfand’s project, American philanthropist supporting the growth of STEM education in Ethiopia.
Demeke disclosed that the establishment of science centers in some selected 6 regions of Ethiopia, pilot outreach program for talented students of upper primary and secondary school and the new initiative to set up a national science museum would take the nation in to a new level in science and technology areas.
In response to Mr.Mark Gelfand’s plan, Demeke confirmed the Government’s commitment and support towards Mr.Mark Gelfand’s endavours.
In his message to the summer outreach program participating talented students, Demeke advised them to pick the nuances of science, technology, mathematics and language to enhance their knowledge, skill and competence.
He pledged to create a national movement in attempt to make science and technology the most preferred calling among the youth of the nation.
Demeke called on the 31 Public University presidents to emulate the best practices as exhibited by Paragon universities in an effort to popularize science and instill scientific temperament among the children and the youth of the nation.
In his keynote address, Mr.Mark Gelfand who was conferred with a life membership award in recognition of his distinguished contribution towards advancement of science and technology in the country pledged his support towards the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
BDU’s President Dr.Baylie Damtie and Mr.Mark Gelfand jointly laid a foundation stone to build Bahir Dar STEM incubation center at Dilchibo School in Bahir Dar City.
Dr.Baylie and Mr.Gelfand laying the foundation stone