HU and SRS BWME sign MoU for Collaboration

Hawassa University and Sidama Regional State BWME sign MoU for Collaboration.

Hawassa University President, Dr. Ayano Berasso, has penned a MoU for collaboration and a 12.8 million birr collaborative research project contract with the Sidama Regional State Bureau of Water, Mines and Energy (BWME) head, Mr. Wubishet Tsegaye, at the Senate meeting Hall on March 9, 2023.

Dr. Eng. Fasika Bete, Sceintific Director of IoT in HU, explained the major rationale to collaborate with the regional bureau as a way of extending HU’s linkage with the industry and serving the community on demand-driven, research-based endeavors.

Dr Mihiret Denanto, an associate professor at IOT and Rift Valley lakes’ research coordinator, presented the details of the immediate project that follows the MoU signing for the participants of the ceremony. Hence, he elaborated on the fact that exploring the ground and surface water potentials of the entire region with the help of scientific research is the main goal of the collaborative project where surveys will include the assessment of land use patterns, topography, water quality, soil type, climate, and other related socio-economic factors that impact the possibilities of irrigation agriculture in the entire Sidama region within fifteen months.

As mentioned in the agreement manual, water resource potential assessment in all woredas of Sidama region will be conducted by researchers of Hawassa University Institute of Technology where the university provides expertise in research, consultancy and other resources and the regional bureau supplies major financial support and lab facilities. This collaborative project will also include staff and student exchange schemes for internship and externship. The specific collaborative research project which covers fifteen months is also expected to result in concrete findings that will be used in policy designing and implementation for the regional state to maximize its potentials for irrigation thereby secure food security.

Mr. Wubshet Tsegaye, head of regional bureau, stated that this is not the first time his bureau is working in collaboration with HU, but such kind of study is of a paramount importance to produce a scientific map of irrigation scheme status, to screen and map stream flow data for gauged water supply and to identify surface and ground water supply potentials for irrigation, all extremely necessary for the regional development plans. Hence, he expressed his deep trust of what HU can accomplish where his bureau will be keen to make strict follow-up in realizing the project.

HU’s President, Dr. Ayano Baraso, on his part said that the university is delivering diverse community services that have significant impact on the local society’s lives using modern technologies and research outputs like the planed project. He strictly commanded the IoT researchers to deliver the stipulated research outputs with strict discipline and following the time table in a responsible way. Finally, HU’s president and the head of BWME signed the MoU and the collaborative project contract agreement in the presence of different management members from both sides.

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