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Bahir Dar University’s chapter of the Ethiopian Economic Association (EEA) held its 6th national conference on the successes and challenges of the Amhara National Regional State’s economic policies and strategies in the previous fiscal year. Research papers dealing with the economic contributions and challenges of different economic sectors were presented, and critical policy ideas based on the socioeconomic and political realities of the region were forwarded. “The events undertaken by the BDU’s chapter of the Ethiopian Economic Association has a positive contribution in the economic development of both the region and the nation at large,” the President of the Amhara National Regional State, Mr Gedu Andargachew. Mr Gedu has also urged the association to continue conducting researches on the fundamental economic challenges of the region and to be part of the solution of the current Ethiopia’s endeavor of economic development. Bahir Dar University is committed to encourage and stand by the side of those intellectuals who form associations like the Ethiopian Economists Association to help the nation guided by the light of scientific principles, said BDU’s Vice president for Research and Community Services, Dr Tesfaye Shiferaw. Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Economic Association, Dr Assefa Admassie said on the event that Ethiopian Economic Association, comprising members of solid intellectual background on economics, is presently engaged in research and intellectual discourse to be part of the solution of Ethiopia’s project of economic development. Based on the discussion made on the conference both on national and regional economic issues, the members of the association have laid plans and strategies of dealing with the fundamental challenges of the region’s economic development endeavor in the coming fiscal year. The association has been contributing in the formulation and implementation of the regional policies and strategic plans. It has also significantly contributed in boosting executive capacities of regional economic actors.

BDU’s Gender Office has offered training on teaching methodologies and measurement and evaluation to the newly employed female graduate assistants of 2014. Fifty one academically fit female graduates were recruited in 2014 as part of realizing the university’s goal of redressing gender imbalance among the academic staff. The training has primarily focused on building the confidence and pedagogical skills of the trainees to equip them the necessary skills of teaching in a higher institution. “The university is moving steps forward in realizing its vision of addressing the challenges the country has in gender imbalance.” BDU’s Director for Gender Office, Rediet Mesfin. Senior female instructors of the university have shared the rich experiences with the novice female assistant graduates

Bahir Dar University and Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital have penned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Aberdeen to collaborate on academic and research related development activities in the field of medical science. The collaboration includes Medical Elective Exchange Schemes (MEES) among the three parties. The partnership will also comprise student and staff exchange visits. The provision of relevant learning guides and CAL package developed at University of Aberdeen to Bahir Dar University’s Medical Science faculty was also part of the agreement. The President of Bahir Dar University, Dr Baylie Damtie, while signing the agreement on the behalf of the university, said that BDU will be working toward moving this partnership to the higher level. The University of Aberdeen will be devoted to engaging in the partnership based on the principles of collaboration, said Professor Wendy Graham while signing the memorandum on behalf of Mrs. Caroline Inglis, Secretary of the University of Aberdeen. Thanking the representative of the University of Aberdeen, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Mr. Bizuayehu Gashaw pledged that the hospital will be committed to working toward the success of the collaboration

BDU has taken part in the 19th General Annual Meeting, International Scientific Conference, of the Surgical Society of Ethiopia (SSE) that has been held on 28th and 29th of August, 2014, with a theme of “Surgical Education in Ethiopia: Past, Present and Future”.

The objective of the conference was to exchange information, knowledge and skills on the up-to-date state of the art technology of surgical medical science. Twenty oral and five poster presentations were made on the conference.

Delivering an opening remarks on the conference, the president of Bahir Dar University, Dr. Baylie Damtie, has outlined the brief historical overview and the present activities of the university in line with its vision of 2025.

Bahir Dar University is striving to elevate the standard of its College of Health and Medical Sciences to meet the demands of the present reality, Dr.Baylie stressed.

The surgical staffs of the College of Health and Medical Science of Bahir Dar University are presently participating in the SSE, Dr. Baylie said.

Dr. Baylie has extended an invitation to the SSE to cooperate with the university through presenting scientific papers and delivering lectures.
The president of the Surgical Society of Ethiopia, Dr Millard Deribew, said that creating networks among different stakeholders is apriority of the Surgical Society of Ethiopia.

Surgical campaign has been conducted for five days and 125 patients from Finoteslam, Debretabor and Bahir Dar have undergone surgical operation, and surgical training was given to 31 Medical Doctors, Dr. Millard added.

The Amhara National Regional State, representatives of Eastern, Central and Southern African Surgical Societies and different other stallholders have participated on the conference.

Bahir Dar University has conducted an official celebration of the handover of high definition video conference system donated by I-TECH Ethiopia. The system was intended to assist the Medical Science Education of the university. Expressing his utmost appreciation to I-TECH Ethiopia, BDU’s President, Dr Baylie Damtie, said on the event that the organization has been assisting the university with necessary facilitates enhancing standardized teaching and learning. I-TECH Ethiopia’s aid to Bahir Dar University, Dr Baylie underlined, would be instrumental in creating globally competent graduates and building a dependable medical institution. Introducing telemedicine to our classrooms, I-TECH Ethiopia has enhanced the possibility of collaborative and technology-based distance learning with strong commitment contributing to the presently ongoing process of technology transfer in Ethiopia, Dr Baylie added. I-TECH Ethiopia, according to BDU’s Dean of College of Medicine and Health Science, Dr Getachew Muluken, has enormously contributed in giving international training on capacity building, providing rare standard text books to the college. I-TECH Ethiopia has also provided the university with laptops. It has also extended support with curriculum development, short-term and long-term trainings and experience sharing, Dr Getachew added. The video conference would assist in building the students’ capacity through providing them with lessens and supervisions, said the Representative of People to People, Dr. Tigist Wuhib. On the event were also representatives from I-TECH Ethiopia, BDU’s top management and the staff of the College of Health and Medical Science.

BDU’s Centre for Capacity Building has offered training, recruiting experts, to the university’s students with visual impairment. The objective of the training was to familiarize the students with computer-assisted reading and to help them develop their skills of reading using computer software. “Previously, the students used to read with the help of other fellow students; this training will help them read without depending up on the assistance of others.” said the Director of Centre for Capacity Building, Dr. Berhanu Abraha. Some of the trainees said that the training helps them to be self-reliant, and it does resolve the challenges they face in getting someone to read for them.

Bahir Dar University held a discussion with University of Wisconsin-Madison to cooperate on the improvement of Dairy farming in the Amhara Region. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be funding the project. “Bahir Dar University, geographically located in the vicinity of the Blue Nile, is committed to engage in collaborative works on water and water related areas.” BDU’s president, Dr. Baylie Damtie. Participants from BDU’s Blue Nile Water Institute, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences as well as representatives of the University of Wisconsin-Madison have attended the discussion

Bahir Dar University’s community has commemorated the legacy of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s diplomatic leadership on the Blue Nile, and his courageous decision to commence the construction of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). “Intellectual discourse on the extraordinary achievements of this great states man is imperative.” BDU’s President, Dr. Baylie Damtie, said on the second anniverasary of the commemoration event. The late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s particular leadership in the commencement of the construction of the GERD was exceptional in that it boosted the spirit of possibilities of change throughout the nation, said Executive Director of Center for Development Studies, Mr. Zefaniyas Alemu. The late Prime Minister had displayed great leadership in building a win-win diplomatic relationship that assures equitable use of the Blue Nile water among the Nile Riparian countries. BDU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mr. Matebe Tafere, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Mr. Embiale Beyene and Center for Development Studies Executive Director Mr. Zefaniyas Alemu were the panelists. Different members of the university community have attended the discussion.

Bahir Dar University is to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Aberdeen. The agreement is believed to build cooperation in areas of research, quality health care service and improving Felege Hiwot Teaching Hospital. The president of Bahir Dar University, Dr. Baylie Damtie, has underlined that Bahir Dar University is very determined to improve the quality and standard of the provision of medical science studies in his institution. Representing Aberdeen University, Dr. Jolene Moore has emphasized that the agreement would also lead to trilateral sharing of good practices through student exchanges. Dr. Jolene Moore has offered training on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to Felege Hiwot Hospital staff. She has also trained BDU’s medical science students and staff on hygiene. Trainings give in Felege Hiwot Teaching Hospital are assessed in relation to their practical applications to assure quality medical services, said the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Mr. Bizuayehu Gashaw

Deputy Chief of Mission, the Embassy of USA in Ethiopia, Mr. Peter V rooman, paid a visit to Bahir Dar University to strengthen the existing cooperation and to discuss new areas of partnership between US universities and Bahr Dar University.

Briefing the visitors on the present status of Bahir Dar University, BDU’s President, Dr. Baylie Damtie, said on the event that Bahir Dar University is determinedly accomplishing a lot in the realms of research, teaching and learning and community services to realize its vision of 2025. “The University encourages research and researchers”.

In relation to redressing gender imbalance, activities of supporting the participations of female students in classrooms as well as different females capacity building projects are undergoing, Said BDU’s Director of Gender Office, Mrs. Rediet Mesfin.

BDU’s outreach program is presently undertaking multiple community-based projects such as ICT, sanitation, city master plan, energy and services in Bahir Dar town.

Model village creation and other activities related to agricultural extensions, specifically connected to the dissemination of best practices in rural technology, have been the priority, highlighted Dr. Baylie Damtie.

Bahir Dar University is presently engaged in outreach programs related to introducing young elementary and secondary school students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

The university has a general vision of creating a “We can do!” spirit through encouraging innovation and creativity.

Bahr Dar University previously had a partnership with different colleges and universities in USA some of which are Cornell University, Boston College and MIT, Howard University, Kansas State University, YCF PLC and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Among the attendees of the discussion were US Embassy Spokesperson, Information and Press Affairs, Mrs. Katherine M. Diop, Director, Information Resource Centre (IRC), Public Affairs Section, Mr. Teklemichael Tefera and BDU’s Acting Vice President for Information and Strategic Communications, Mr. Moges Abraha.

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