Jimma University conducted graduation commencement on November 04/2017 in the newly built mini-stadium situated in the main campus of the University. The event was attended by University Senate members, University staff and families and friends of graduates.
A total of 2128 (295 postgraduate and 1833 undergraduate) students were graduated from the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, College of Law and Governance, College of Natural Sciences, College of Social Sciences, Jimma University Institute of Health and Jimma Institute of Technology.
Prof. Taye Tolemariam, Vice President of JU, presented the major activities and achievements of JU in the academic year. He highlighted that the university has done its level best to increase students’ admission capacity and now trains over 40587 students in 62 undergraduate, 139 MA/MSc and 35 PHD programs. He stated that hand in hand with teaching and training of students’ in various disciplines, scholars at JU are also undertaking problem based and community oriented researches with direct relevance to their surrounding community and the country as a whole. In addition to initiating the community to resolve its own problems, the findings of the scientific researches has also been used as an input in the policy making process at national level.
Professor Taye pinpointed some of the important activities took place in the academic year; discussions with academic, administrative and students at the beginning of the academic year, various human resources development trainings, joint activities with Jimma City administration, staff recruitment, program expansion, measures taken to strengthen University-Industry Linkages, the Road Safety conference jointly organized with Lucy PLC, the Human Resource Development Conference jointly organized with the I-capital Africa Institute, The JU-IUC phase out and the launching of the Ethiopian Network program held at JU that trained about 55 staff members at PHD level in various disciplines and many more short term trainings and staff mobility and the selection of JU as a Center of Excellence in Education were some of the important activities that are mentioned by Professor Taye Tolemariam.
Prof. Fikre Lemessa, President of JU and the Guest of Honor, delivered a commencement speech to the gathering. He highlighted that the graduates are expected to contribute to the transformation of their country. He also advised graduates to be good citizens and fight corruptions and other malpractices while serving the public. Finally he wished the graduates a bright and successful future.
At the subsequent stages the Vice Director of the Registrar and Student Affairs Office, Mr. Biruk W/Michale, Professor Tefera Belachew, Dean of Postgraduate School and Deans presented the graduates in their respective colleges and outstanding students from each program have also received awards from the guest of honor and JU President Prof. Fikre Lemessa.
The ceremony ended with awarding degrees, pins and gold medals to the outstanding graduates leaving a memorable sentiment.