ECSU Welcomes South Sudanese Scholarship Holders
The fact that the economic globalization and regional integration is accelerating makes it imperative for Developing countries to be in a position to stick to these changes. Capacity Building is in the center of these activities. In Ethiopia`s endeavor to bolster bilateral relations with neighboring countries and grow together, Ethiopian Civil Service University has been providing different kinds of supports to neighboring countries. Now, the turn is to South Sudan; Some 37 students have got scholarship at ECSU.
Admission Office of ECSU organized a welcoming ceremony to these scholarship holders on Friday, March 14, 2014. In the occasion, Head of Student Service, Registrar, Center for Academic and Professional Development, Guidance and Counseling Office, and representative of Center for Gender and Development officially welcome them and briefed on variety of issues.
Dr. Hailemichael Abera President of the University in the occasion told the students to consider Ethiopia as their country and feel at home. He emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation in order to rise together. A few decades a go Africa was named as Least Developed Continent, Dark Continent etc. But now, there are signs that the situation can be changed. We should work hard like the Koreans and other South East Asian Countries did to get out of poverty. Ethiopia is on the right direction, said Dr. Hailemichael. He also said, "We give scholarships not because we are rich but we give high value to growing together". Dr. Hailemichael finally implored them to continue striving so as to achieve the great objective of developing their country in particular and Africa in general which is beyond getting Bachelors or Masters Degree.
Ato Ayneabeba Andualem, Director for Center for Academic and Professional Development said students are at the center of teaching learning process in the university. We follow student centered learning approach which emphasizes a variety of different types of methods that shifts the role of the instructors from givers of information to facilitating student learning. Assessment starts at day one and quick feedback given; you will also have a consultation time with your instructors for some hours a week, he added.
Dr. Teshome Adugna on his part explained the academic rules and regulations in the University. He also said that his office has already opened files for each student and will follow their progress.
At Beker Hdji, Head of Guidance and Counseling Office advised them to be optimistic in their stay, plan their routines, use their time effectively, and share problems with their colleagues, instructors and University administration with out any hesitation.
W/ro Betelehem Melese, Consultant at Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), expressed her delight to see six female students among the scholarship holders. She reiterated her office`s commitment to consult them in all their academic and social problems. She said her office gives trainings to both female and male students. According to Betelihem, Assertiveness Skills, Study Skills, Communication Skills are some of the training titles that CGAD provides.
Ato Abebe Tegegn Head of Student Service also briefed the students on services provided by the University like catering, health, dormitory. He also briefed students` rights and obligations while they are in the university. Chewing Chat, Drinking Alcohol, Quarrelling with each other, among others, are resulted in disciplinary measures, said Ato Abebe.
Representative of the students, Rengo G. Rengo, a student from Public Management Department, Institute of Public Management and Development Studies, hailed ECSU as professional University comparing to some foreign universities in which he had studied before. He said there are different approaches- group works, individual assignments, presentations; everything is good. He emphasized on the importance of growing together. "There can not be development when neighbors are in chaos. " He finally said, " we are accustomed to everything in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is familiar with us, we know many Ethiopians in South Sudan ".