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Awassa
College of Agriculture(ACA)
The Awassa College
of Agriculture (ACA) , located in a town called Awassa which
is the capital town of the Southern Region and 275 kms away
from the capital city Addis Ababa, was first established in
July 1976 as a Junior College of Agriculture under the Addis
Ababa University to offer a 2-year diploma with specialization
in Plant Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering,
and Home Economics. The main objective of the college was
to train agricultural professionals with strong and relevant
practical skills required for bringing about changes in Ethiopian
agriculture.
ACA has endeavored
over the last two decades towards building academic excellence.
It has trained about 6500 medium level and specialized agricultural
personnel, many of whom have pursued their studies for higher
degrees in more specialized areas to serve the nation as educators,
researchers, policy makers, etc. ACA has collaborated with
many national and international academic establishments and
produced many publications on basic and agricultural sciences.
Departments
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1. Agricultural
Engineering and Mechanization (AgEM)
1. 1. Background
The present Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization (AgEM)
department was established in 1976, known by the time as Rural
Technology Department (RTD) and was producing diploma graduates.
After revising its curriculum as of 1978 it was known as Agricultural
Engineering and Technology (AET) and was running diploma program
until the beginning of its degree program in 1990.
In its two years diploma program the department trains middle
level skilled manpower who would participate in the application
of Agricultural Engineering subjects; mainly in Farm Power
and Implements & Soil and Water Engineering fields. The
five years degree program lays emphasis on mechanization,
soil and water conservation, and irrigation fields.
1.2. Objectives:
1.2.1. Degree Program
Producing high-level manpower equipped with adequate
knowledge and skill to design & implement activities indicated
in the respective graduate profile
1.2.2 Diploma Program
Training middle-level manpower capable of rendering
a significant contribution by actively participating in activities
indicated in the respective graduate profile
1.3. Programs /and Intake capacity
a) B.Sc. degree in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization
The B.Sc. program offered in the department is a five-year
program. The curriculum will be revised to make it a four-year
program according to the new educational policy. About 50
students are enrolling in the department every year for the
degree program.
b) Diploma in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization
The department offers a two-year diploma program. The curriculum
will be revised to upgrade it to advanced diploma. The departments
intake for the diploma program is around 50 students every
year
Degree program
Improvement, management, design and production of appropriate
tools & farm implements
Identification, design and implementation of soil &
water conservation projects
Identification, design and implementation of small and
large-scale irrigation projects
Identification, design and implementation of post-harvest
processes, technology and machines
Construction plans of farmstead structures
Identification, design and implementation of alternative
rural energy sources
Research undertakings on related problems of Agricultural
Engineering
Diploma program
The selection of appropriate tools, implements &
machinery
The improvement & management of machinery on farms
The protection & maintenance of natural resources
through the implementation & management of soil conservation
& irrigation projects
Building farmstead structures for agricultural enterprises
Selection and construction of appropriate energy sources
2. Animal and Range Sciences
(ARSc)
2.1.Background
The department of Animal and Range Sciences (ARSc) has existed
since the commencement of the Awassa College of Agriculture.
However, during its inception it carried the name first "Animal
Production and Protection" and then after a few years
it changed its name to "Animal Science and Technology".
With the growth of the department and in line of its objectives,
the department changed its name to "Animal Production
and Rangeland Management". After eight years of its new
name inception, the department held a series of curriculum
review and evaluation on the existing program and came up
with some modification that resulted in changing the name
of the department. Accordingly, the current name of the department
is "Animal and Range Sciences" by giving more emphasis
to courses directly related to range sciences.
The ARSc has started before two and half decades with four
teaching staff to under take the diploma program. Gradually
the number of teaching staffs increased both in number and
qualification. There were two sections in the department at
the time it started namely "Poultry and Dairy" sections.
Now the department has six sections: Dairy, Beef, Small Ruminant,
Poultry, Nutrition and Range Sciences and Fishery.
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2.2.Objectives
2.2.1. Teaching
To train students both at diploma and degree level
in different discipline of animal production.
To acquaint students with practical livestock husbandry.
To train students how to plan and evaluate project and/or
enterprises related to livestock production and their products.
Motivate students to develop their creativity and guide
them how to identify problems, design research and analyze
data.
2.2.2. Research
To identify major problems and constraints related
to animal production and range ecosystems at regional and
national levels.
To carry out research of scientific and practical importance
in accordance with the countries research priorities.
To generate relevant information which aid planners
and policy makers in the adoption of appropriate livestock
development strategies.
To facilitate teaching and learning processes.
2.2.3. Extension and Consultancy Service
The department distributes local and crossbred dairy goats
and pullets and day old chicken to the farmers in the region
in collaboration with governmental organizations (Ministry
of Agriculture), non-governmental such as FARM Africa and
private organizations. Consultancy services have been rendered
to NGOs, governmental and private organizations.
2.3. Program and intake capacity
The department offers B.Sc. degree in the field of Animal
and Range Sciences. A maximum of 50 students will be enrolled
every year.
Graduate Profile
Upon completion of the B.Sc. program, the graduates
are expected:
To perceive the importance of agriculture and particularly
the role of farm animals in providing food and cash income
to the rural and urban community;
To effect proper methods of raising farm animals either
directly on his/her own farm, or in directly through extension;
To analyse problems associated to production and identify
the research and development intervention needs in the livestock
sector of the country;
To carryout basic and applied research geared towards
enhancement of livestock production;
To integrate practices of livestock production with
other farming enterprises;
To evaluate and provide innovative solutions for livestock
production problems of the country;
To work as professionals in research institutions, governmental
and non-governmental organizations so that to contribute for
the development of the livestock sector of the country.
3. Plant Production and
Dryland Farming (PPDF)
3.1. Background
The Plant Production and Dry land farming Department (PPDF)
is one of the six departments established with the Awassa
Junior Agricultural College (AJAC) in 1976. It has undergone
various levels of developmental metamorphoses. Initially two
separate diploma programs, Crop Production and Protection
Technology (CPPT) and Horticultural crops Production and Protection
Technology (HPPT) existed. These were amalgamated into one
diploma program (now limited to the evening program), Plant
Science and Technology (PLST) in 1979. With the launching
of the B.Sc. degree program in 1994, the department assumed
its present name, Plant Production and Dryland Farming (PPDF).
The degree program is unique in the country in that it combines
crop Production practices suitable for humid as well as the
drier climatic regions of Ethiopia.
3.2. Objectives
To produce diploma graduates who are middle-level agriculturalists
who could be involved in research, state farms and extension.
To produces B.Sc. Graduates that are actively involved
in designing and implementing research and extension projects,
are working in seed industry, in teaching and some crop production,
Improvement, protection and processing enterprises.
Conduct research to generate technology that alleviates
the chronic problems of the farming community, to generate
knowledge and produce highly trained manpower for the need
of the department and the country as a whole
Consultancy and in-service training
Extension to disseminate the technology produced.
3.3.Program and intake capacity
At present PPDF runs a regular 4-year B.Sc. program and a
3-year diploma program (under the Continuing Education Program-CEP).
About 50 students are enrolled every year for each program.
A maximum of 50 students will enroll in the department per
year.
4. Rural Development and
Family Science (RDFS)
4.1. Background
The department of Home science and Technology which was established
in 1976 has been remained as Rural Development and Family
Science (RDFS) in 2001. This department a BSc degree programme
is the first of its leiud in the country offering BSc degree
in RDFS
The main aim of the department is to train and conduct research
and extension to train and conduct research and extension
pertaining to grass root level development and also to enhance
the capability of rural population (particularly women through
human resource development activities.
The department has four major sections namely food and nutrition
health sedan Resource management and development
The RDFS major courses are supplemented by supportive courses
from various fields of study such as Agriculture (Selected
courses from Plant Science, Animal Science, and Agricultural
Engineering and Mechanization), general courses include English
language; Quantitative Methods, Geography, Economics and Physical
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4.2. Objectives
General
Major objective was to train extension agents who will
serve in different positions in rural areas.
Focuses on the well being of rural family.
Specific
Improve the nutritional status of women, children and
the family group as a whole.
Improve decision making in the family.
Secure better maternity and childcare.
Adopt better time and energy saving technology to the
family.
Improve and encourage the wise use of family resources.
Keep and safeguard family members from traditional (harmful)
practices.
Improve food security through development and promotion
of better means of food preservation and storage.
4.3. Program and Intake capacity
The department runs degree programs (both in the regular
and Continuing Education Program). And Diploma Program is
also offered in Continuing Education Program including Evening
and Kiremt.
The intake capacity of in each program is around 50 students
per year.
Graduate profile
Graduates will have well-rounded perspectives on the
causes and consequences of economic, social, and demographic
changes.
The graduates are expected to hold various positions
like, gender experts, rural development coordinators, home
economic section leaders, family planning experts, teachers,
nutrition experts, children's village heads, advisers (social),
researchers etc.
5. Food Science
and Postharvest Technology (FSPHT)
5.1. Background
Food Science and Post-Harvest Technology (FSPHT) is one of
the new departments at the ACA. The in-country training of
food technologists and scientists, who know their fellow countrymen's
food habits and values, would create a great opportunity for
advancement of local food technology and cultural development
of a society. The FSPHT officially established since November
16, 2002 at the ACA. Indeed ACA is playing the pioneer role
of establishing the department of FSPHT, which is the first
of its kind in the country. Structurally, the FSPHT department
has three units (Teaching, Research, and Extension & Production)
and six sections namely: (1) Food Technology, (2) Post-harvest
Processing Technology (3) Food Microbiology & Biotechnology
(4) Food Chemistry and Nutrition (5) Safety, Quality Control
& Legislation, and (6) Processing Engineering and Packages.
5.2. Objectives
To train qualified personnel in the field of Food Science
and Post-harvest Technology at the undergraduate level.
To conduct research in food science and post harvest
technology in collaboration with industries and other institutions.
To disseminate research findings and improved technology
through the out-reach programs.
To ensure interdisciplinary collaboration among the
relevant institutions in training, research and extension.
To provide consultancy and community services, and generate
income for the University.
5.3. Programs and Intake Capacity
The department of FSPHT is offering a 3-year degree program
of B.Sc. in Food Science and Post-harvest Technology and envisaging
for intake of 40 students.
Graduate profile
The graduates of FSPHT program are expected to take up management
of food processing plants, conduct research in various areas
of food sciences and post harvest technology, Quality and
Standard Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE), food safety assurance
system, product development, community service, initiate cottage
industries as self-employment and also could teach in school
systems including at higher learning institutions.
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6. Agricultural Resource
Economics and Management (AREM)
6.1. Background
The desire to open the department of Agricultural Resource
Economics and Management at Awassa College Of Agriculture
(ACA) has a long history. To this end, the college has been
engaged in the development of curriculum and training of manpower
for the new department over the last 15 years. Not withstanding
the college's plan to initiate the department a long time
ago, its establishment was approved by higher bodies only
in 2002. Following approval, the department was established
and has at present produced a final draft curriculum pending
revision. Having done the major tasks of the identification
of courses, the preparation of its description and distribution,
the department is ready to accept students starting the 2003/4
academic year.
The department has major sections namely; Resource Management,
Resource Economics, Development Economics and Agricultural
Economics.
6.2. Objectives
General
To train students at B.Sc. level having interdisciplinary
knowledge on agricultural sciences, development and resource
economics, policies, rural sociology and the management of
resource use conflicts and disaster management that would
enable them:
a) to manage and solve issues related to the optimal use of
agricultural resources and
b) engage in teaching and conduct research in matters related
to agricultural resources.
To under take research activities that promote efficient
use of agricultural resources; widen human knowledge on disaster
management and the resolution of resource use conflicts.
To disseminate relevant body of knowledge through workshops,
short-term trainings, etc.
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Specific
Contribute to rural development and agricultural transformation
by producing qualified personnel having inter-disciplinary
knowledge who can assist the country's development endeavors
in light of agricultural led industrialization.
Conduct research that contributes:
- to the transformation of the existing agricultural system
- the assessment of the effects of human actions on the environment
and possible ways of rehabilitation.
- ways of creating harmony between the goals of economic development,
improvement of the quality of the environment and the betterment
of human livelihood.
Provide short-term training, consultancy services and
the others.
6.3. Programs and Intake Capacity
The department is designed to train students at B.Sc. level
in the economic management of Agricultural Resources. The
intake capacity of the department is 60 students every year.
Graduate Profile
The graduates can
Identify, describe and analyse matters related to the
handling and proper management of agricultural and other natural
resources.
Formulate agricultural projects taking into consideration
the harmony between the socio-economic and environmental spheres.
Manage resource use conflict.
Discharge responsibilities at various capabilities in
matters related to the management of agricultural and natural
resources.
Teach and conduct research in the areas of agricultural
and other resources management.
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7. Veterinary Medicine (VetM)
7.1. Background
Modern higher education in animal health in Ethiopia has
started with the establishment of the School of Animal Health
Assistant (AHA) in 1963 following an agreement entered between
the UNDP-FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture. Later on, in
1979 the Addis Ababa University established the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine at Debre Zeit, which in the last 20 years
graduated nearly 300 Veterinarian and 1500 Animal Health Assistant.
However, the currently existing Veterinarian in the country
summing up those graduated from different countries abroad
doesn't satisfy the need of the country.
Diseases of different origin are frustrating livestock industry
in Ethiopia. Livestock contributes 33% the agricultural GDP
and 15% of the export earnings and the economic of livestock
losses due to direct mortality is estimated to be 9% in cattle
and 15% in small ruminants and in economic terms, the production
losses from diseases are generally estimated to amount more
than 900 million Birr or about 150million US$ per annum.
Improving livestock health means improving human health.
This is true because the existences of a number of diseases
communicable from animal to humans are alarming situation
and could directly or indirectly hamper the production and
productivity of both categories. Exclusion of live animals
and their products from the world market due to some internationally
notifiable diseases could affect the foreign earnings of the
country.
To this end, the government of Ethiopia took an initiative
of expansion of veterinary education to a higher level in
this context at DU, to produce competent veterinarians capable
of identifying, treating and controlling livestock diseases
and conduct researches in the area of animal health towards
alleviation/control of livestock diseases.
7.2. Objectives
To produce veterinarians competent in the practice
of general veterinary medicine that includes food and companion
animals practices and veterinary public health both in regular
and evening programs.
To increase productivity of livestock by implementing
effective monitoring and control methods of diseases.
To advance knowledge in veterinary science and disseminate
information on veterinary medicine and animal science.
To provide professional services to the community at
large and generate income.
7.3. Program and Intake capacity
The program runs DVM-degree program with a duration of five
years divided into foundation, pre-clinical and clinical and
externship attachments. In 2003/4 academic year the department
intends to accept 40-45 students.
Graduate Profile
Graduates can:
Assist and conduct research be competent in the practices
of veterinary diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control
of animal diseases and veterinary public health.
Creative, conscious, having professional ethics and
responsible to work towards national goals and development.
Provide professional services and leadership in veterinary
and animal production disciplines.
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8. CO-OPERATIVES
8.1. Background
One can find different forms of traditional co-operative-schemes
in Ethiopia. These are not, however, supported and strengthened
through formal education. Having felt this problem, the Government
of Ethiopia has taken important steps in promoting and organizing
co-operatives in a modern way to bring together scattered
properties, labour, knowledge and skills to achieve goals
that can not be attained only through individuals' effort.
To realize the envisaged roles that co-operatives can play
in the socio-economic development of the country, education
is believed to be a pivotal instrument in the whole process.
Based on this belief, a curriculum was developed to offer
a three-years training in co-operatives at bachelor level.
The Department will accept students starting as of the 2003/2004
academic year.
8.2. Objectives
General
The overall objective of the program is to develop expertise
in co-operatives and people-centered organizations with capability
to promote self-reliance and governance. The expertise is
aiming at developing values, economic opportunities and ways
of controlling own resources to attain transparency, cooperation
and involvement of members in co-operative development.
Specific
To produce trained manpower who can work in multifaceted
co-operatives, Co-operative Banks, Co-operative Promotion
and Development Bureaus, Co-operative Training Institutions,
NGOs and Universities.
To provide short-term training programmes for co-operative
leaders, members, and employees.
To be involved in community and village development
programmes through co-operative education in hand-in-hand
with Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations.
To carry out co-operative research and consultancy
services on policies and methodologies for institutional and
organizational development of co-operatives and other community-based
institutions.
8.3. Program and Intake Capacity
The department is going to run a three-years degree program
at bachelor level and has intake capacity of 50 students each
year.
8.6. Graduate profile
Students know concepts, theories, principles and philosophy
of cooperation, co-operatives and cooperative organization,
management, auditing and accounting.
Students develop ability and capacity to organize cooperatives,
prepare organizational plans, manage cooperatives, audit co-operative
resources, offer training and conduct co-operative research
and consultancy.
Students appreciate the role of cooperation and cooperatives
in alleviating poverty; and develop in them the attitude of
self-help, self-reliance and self-employment. Moreover, they
show the basic sense of honesty, unity and dedication in executing
tasks they are assigned for.
Prospective graduates of co-operatives will have a
wide range of work opportunities, including self-employment.
They can work in co-operative societies, co-operative organization
and promotion bureaus, co-operative banks, co-operative training
institutions, Junior Colleges (TVET), private enterprises,
governmental and non-governmental organizations as managers,
accountants, auditors, researchers and trainers.
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SCHOOL OF
GRADUATE STUDIES
Background
Awassa College of Agriculture is going to offer M.Sc. degrees
in Agricultural Sciences namely Animal and Range Sciences
and Plant Production and Dryland Farming.
The MSc programs require a maximum of 24 months for completion.
The emphasis of the program lies both on the course work and
the thesis research of graduate students. Students choose
their thesis topics according to their own interest but must
take into account the current research priority areas (strategic
plan for research) of DU and the country.
Agricultural production systems in Ethiopia are highly diversified
systems in which animals play an integral part. Livestock
development is constrained not only by technical factors (feed,
health, genetics, management) but also by infrastructural
and socio-economic factors. Livestock specialists need an
in-depth scientific training combined with critical attitude
towards all aspects constraining livestock development. The
M.Sc. programs in Animal and Range Sciences have been planned
and organized with these considerations in mind.
The M.Sc. program in Plant Production and Dryland Farming
has been designed to help meet the nationwide demand for scientific
expertise in developing and applying appropriate crop growing
practices. The curricula have been carefully formulated to
provide a balance between fundamental and applied science.
Due attention is paid to training in relevant scientific and
technical skills in multidisciplinary research environment.
Objectives
The main objective of the Graduate Program is to impart scientific
and practical knowledge in combination with analytical skills
related to more general issues of agricultural development
and production.
The guiding principle in an interdisciplinary approach is
dictated by the need of present-day agriculture for economically
and environmentally sustainable production systems. The curricula
enable students to acquire research skills in relevant areas
of specialization and they are designed for graduates or experienced
professionals seeking careers as scientists in government,
university or other research and development organizations
who wish to undertake further academic training on well defined
subjects related to the major areas of interest of Awassa
College of Agriculture.
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Programs and Intake Capacity
The school of Graduate studies at Debub University is ready
to ofer MSc degree in different agricultural sciences.
Animal and Range Sciences
The program is coordinated by the Department of Animal and
Range Sciences. The teaching, research, extension and consultancy
activities of the department are focused on livestock development.
The department has developed curricula for seven major fields
of specialization but it starts only with two (Animal Nutrition
and Animal Production) of them now.
There are seven major specializations: Animal Nutrition,
Animal Production (with and without formal thesis), Fisheries
and Limnology, Animal Breeding, Range and Pasture Sciences,
Poultry Sciences and Dairy Animal Sciences. The department
can take 10 graduate students every academic year.
Plant Production and Dryland Farming
Students enrolling in this program receive in-depth research
training in incorporating lasting resistance and other improvements
into the genetic make-up of crop plants, the simulation and
modeling of plant growth processes to help identify yield
constraints and the use of biological and integrated pest
management methods in crop protection.
Crop Sciences cover the specialization Agronomy, Plant Breeding,
Horticulture, Soils Sciences, Pest Management (Agricultural
Entomology and Phytopathology) and Pest Management (without
formal thesis). With the exception of Plant Breeding and Soil
Sciences, the department currently plans to give M.Sc. training
in the rest of the programs.
The department can take 10 graduate students every academic
year.
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