By Abriham Hailu, (A student reporter, at Journalism and Communications Department.) 

October, 31,2025 

Bahir Dar University’s Faculty of Humanities organized a workshop focusing on Ge’ez language education and a book launch event at the university’s main campus auditorium. The workshop opened with welcoming remarks and an opening speech by Dr. Waltenigus Mekonnen, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Bahir Dar University.

 In his remarks, Dr. Waltenigus emphasized the national importance of the Ge’ez language and manuscripts written in Ge’ez. He also noted that the faculty is giving special priority to the development of the language by offering it as a major field of study at both bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, and ready to launch a Ph.D. program soon.

 Dr. Muluken Andualem, Assistant Professor of Ge’ez and senior instructor in the Department of Ge’ez Language, highlighted during his keynote speech, Ge’ez is currently taught as an academic discipline in 31 universities, both within Ethiopia and abroad. In the morning session, several scholarly papers were presented, including: “(Ancient manuscripts in Ethiopia: yesterday, today and tomorrow)”(ጥንታዉያት ድርሳናት በኢትዮጵያ:- ትናንት፣ ዛሬ እና ነገ) by Dr. Mersha Alehegn, “Abinet education Schools: World Universities” (አብነት ትምህርታችን የዓለም ዩኒቨርሲቲ) by Professor Alemayehu Bishaw, and “Some Insights about the Ge’ez Language” (ስለ ግዕዝ አንድ አንድ ነጥቦች) by Professor Zelalem Liyew. 

The presentations were followed by engaging questions, discussions, and feedback from participants, to which the presenters responded with clarifications and insights. In the afternoon session, a book which compiles 14 studies titled ‘Abinet for Ethiopia’s Modern Education (‘አብነት ለዘመናዊ የኢትዮጵያ ሥነ ትምህርት) edited by Dr. Mersha Alehegn was officially launched. According to the editor of the book, the book compiles research findings and practical perspectives from distinguished scholars and aims to contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s modern education system.

 The workshop was attended by scholars, researchers, book reviewers, Bahir Dar University instructors and staff, students, as well as learners from traditional church schools and guests. The event concluded with the official book launch ceremony, graced by guests of honor.