BDU honors Obasanjo, graduates 6600

BDU honors Obasanjo, graduates 6600

BDU: Bahir Dar University has awarded degrees to 6600 graduates at colorful ceremony witnessed by ambassadors, ministers and families of the graduates.

During the function, the University also conferred an honorary doctorate degree in Laws (Honoris causa) to former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo for his outstanding contributions towards good governance, peace and conflict resolution and development in Africa.

Speaking during the graduation, Saturday July 5, 2014, the University’s President Dr. Baylie Damtie affirmed the need for graduands to contextualize knowledge and skills gained during their study by relating it to real life Ethiopian situations as most available books and paradigms were of other countries context. He asserted the University’s commitment to be responsive to societal needs and aspirations.

Dr. Baylie advised graduates to exert their utmost effort in an attempt to create wealth which could benefit themselves and their country.

“The University is committed to enable the nation bring the desired economic structural change to make sure that job creation and sustainable development is achieved at national level.’’

The chief guest Kassa Tekle Berhan, who is also the Speaker of the House of Federation called on graduates to work hard in an endeavor to enable the nation propel to greater heights. He pointed out that the nation was in dire need for human power than any other time in its history.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Tedros Adhanom stressed on the need for graduates to be visionary in order to transform Ethiopia.

“This is the day you promise to serve this great nation,” said Dr. Tedros in his message to the graduates.

In his acceptance speech, Hon. Obasanjo advised African universities to focus on studying African challenges and find suitable and lasting solutions to them.

He urged African University’s to focus on: African leadership practices and deficit to show the way forward, structural change of the African economy and, the preparation for students to handle diversity in Africa.

In its effort to promote innovation and research, the university gave special recognition to students who carried out consummate research projects.