Welcome everyone!
Ashamaa, Anaa Dhufu! Baga nagayaan dhuftan!! እንኳን በሰላም መጣችሁ!
To begin with a short story: Not so far from where we are now, there was a farmer named Abbaamaccaa Abbaadagaa Abbaalubbuu, also known as Abbaamacca Kiiloolee, who had a dream of aviation, perhaps basically because of the vast field called Kiiloolee near his house. He sent a land rover filled with money to the then king of Ethiopia to help purchase an airplane. The king graciously accepted the funds, hosted him for couple of days at his palace, and promised that an airplane would soon land in Kiiloolee. The plane never arrived to the field, however, Abbaamaccaa, who is now very old, worries he may not live to see his vision come true. Yet, close to his home, his dream continues to take shape, and here we are!The story of another great man, a pilot himself, named Mekonnen Bari, perhaps one of the very reasons for why we are here today, will also have to be briefly narrated here, and will be so by none other than his grandson, Capt. Abiy!!
Indeed, nearly two decades ago this project seemed almost impossible. The leadership of the university has long been working on this project. In particular the former member of the University executive and current State Minister, Mr. Kora Tushune, has gone a long way, as far as Moi University in Kenya to initiate a program like this. Despite all the efforts over the years, the possibility of launching Aviation Sciences and Aerospace Engineering study programs in Ethiopian public universities never seemed coming. It was an aborted attempt at the get-go.
About three years ago, Captain Abiy and colleagues from Avdyne AeroServices came to us and inspired the leadership to revitalize the process. Despite recognizing the resource-intensive nature of the program and the need for strict safety measures and standards, the vast demand for skilled aviation and aerospace professionals was the most important motivating factor behind our efforts to embark on establishing a premier academy at our community-oriented university.
Consequently, the Aviation Sciences and Aerospace Engineering Academy (ASASE) that we are launching today is, therefore, going to be a groundbreaking milestone in the history of Ethiopian Public Universities. With its unique logo and motto reflecting the core vision of Jimma University, this academy signifies a new era of collaboration and progress within the community, as we transition from our longstanding presence to new heights alongside our community members.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders, both internal and external, who have contributed significantly to turning this long-standing aspiration of ours into a reality. Mr. Kora Tushune, Capt. Abiy Mekonin, Capt. Solomon Gizaw and Abyssinian colleagues, Ethiopian Air Force, Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopian Aviation University, the Ethiopian Defense University, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Training Academy and the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), the Top Management of Jmma Institute of Technology, led by Engr. Efrem Wakjira and of course members of the Program Development Technical Committee (PDTC) led by Dr. Isayiyas as well as Dr. Mohammed, you all deserve special credit for this success.
The PDTC, which is 10-members, has gone through several steps to get us here:
- drafted 4 curricula, organized 3 workshops, and invited industry experts for constructive engagement. These were critical steps in the making of the Aviation academy a reality.
We have signed a quartet memorandum of understanding with Ethiopian Airlines group, Ethiopian Air Force and Ethiopian Defense University. The technical team established as per this MoU has taken significant steps forward in preparing terms of reference that laid a fertile ground for us to agree on a workable arrangement. It is important to mention the role played by General Yilma Merdasa in bringing the four institutions to the table, back in January 2024.
We are here to celebrate a milestone achievement and we are looking forward to seizing opportunities to achieve more together with partners home and abroad. Please allow me to applaud esteemed friends who have travelled thousands of miles all the way from the US to here. With these friends and possibly with friends from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and other HBCUs, we are convinced that there is nothing that can stop us from realizing our dreams.
Jimma University – the pioneer in community-based educational philosophy, stands as a symbol of resilience in the face of challenges, particularly when it comes to introducing and more importantly sustaining new programs. What the PDTC did was much the same, they have demonstrated courage, motivation, and resilience. Besides developing the curricula, they also served in various ad-hoc committees formed to coordinate the renovation of the building, and successfully supervised the implementation of the renovation plan alongside the top Management. Thank you again!
Jimma University counts on the rich expertise and experience of each and every one of you present here in going forward with this project. Your professional inputs will help us enhance the quality of the program. And on behalf of Jimma University, I would like to thank you for the support.
Thank you!! Amesegnallehu! Galatomaa!!
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