Jimma University, in partnership with Addis Ababa University and with support from the Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) project, has successfully concluded a two-day event aimed at promoting the One Health approach through both grassroots education and high-level academic discourse. The first day focused on integrating One Health concepts into secondary schools, while the second day featured a panel discussion on the role of One Health in addressing global pandemic threats.
DAY 1: Empowering Schools Through One Health Integration
The event commenced with a training workshop titled “Integration of One Health Concepts and Principles into Secondary Schools.” The session was opened by Dr. Bekalu Ferede, the Postgraduate Director at Jimma University, who emphasized the natural alignment between the One Health approach and the university’s core philosophy, “We are in the community.” He highlighted the importance of empowering local schools and creating strong linkages with university activities as a central part of the institution’s mission.
Facilitated by Prof. Mirgissa Kaba from Addis Ababa University and staff members of the Jimma University Center for One Health, the workshop brought together five schools: Jimma Preparatory School, Jiren Secondary School, Jimma University Community School, Ifa Boru Secondary School, and Agaro Secondary School. Each school was represented by its director, teachers of biology, agriculture, and geography, as well as three students. Curriculum experts from the Jimma Zone Education Office and the education offices of Jimma Town and Goma woreda also participated.
During the interactive session, participants mapped One Health-related concepts within their subjects and extracurricular activities. They developed both short-term and long-term action plans aimed at embedding One Health principles into school life, ensuring that teachers and students can apply these concepts in real-world contexts.
DAY 2: Confronting Global Pandemics Through One Health
The second day featured a high-level panel discussion titled “Living Under the Threat of Global Pandemics: One Health as a Solution.” The session began with an opening speech by Dr. Habtewold Deti, the delegate for the Vice President of Research and Partnership at Jimma University. Dr. Habtewold underscored the urgent need for an integrated approach to human, animal, and environmental health, reiterating the importance of Jimma University’s community-embedded philosophy in advancing this initiative.
Prof. Seid Tiku, Director of the Center for One Health Research and Outreach, provided an overview of the current status of One Health implementation at the university. He highlighted ongoing efforts in teaching and research while calling for strengthened activities in high school education to better respond to both local and global challenges.
Prof. Mirgissa Kaba delivered a compelling presentation on the critical role of One Health in addressing complex, interconnected global challenges, including pandemic threats. He argued for an urgent reshaping of teaching, research, and community service paradigms to ensure they are directly responsive to societal problems.
The subsequent panel featured esteemed experts, including Prof. Kifle W/Michael, Dr. Mekonnen Addis, and Dr. Daniel Dana. The panelists explored essential topics such as One Health workforce development and the importance of transdisciplinarity in teaching and research. They emphasized that collaborative efforts across various disciplines are vital for tackling pressing health issues and improving community outcomes. The discussions underscored the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration and the commitment required from Higher Education Institutions to equip future professionals with the skills needed to address the multifaceted challenges of our time.
