HAMU Briefs ECSU `s HIV/AIDS Intervention Activities
HIV/AIDS Management Unit of ECSU, HAMU, shared good practices of mainstreaming HIV/AIDS interventions into ECSU programs to visitors from SNNP Regional Civil Service Bureau experts on February 28, 2014.
The experts were from HIV/AIDS Mainstreaming and Gender Offices of the Regional Civil Service Bureau of SNNP. The meeting was opened with welcoming speech by Mr. Philipos Petros, head of HIV/AIDS Management Unit. Philipos extended his appreciation to the regional bureau guests for choosing the Ethiopian Civil Service University for benchmarking.
In his explanation about the establishment of the unit, Mr.Philipos said five university staff members were sent to South Africa before 2004 for training with the aim to building institutional capacity in responding to the epidemic.
Following the international training, HIV/AIDS Policy was developed and endorsed by the then College Senate members. This created conducive environment to establish HAMU in 2005 for better organization and institutionalization of the mainstreaming efforts of the university.
During the discussion, HAMU staff members Ato Anteneh Mekonnen, coordinator of HIV/AIDS Training and Research activities and Wrt. Wubalem Arefaine, Social Mobilization and Mainstreaming Expert added their experiences in the university and shared practices and challenges of working with ECSU students, staff, community in the vicinity and partners.
Ato Mogeus Menna, Coordinator of the Office of Higher Ethiopia Institution’s Forum against HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia explained the purpose for the establishment of the forum and share important information about the experiences and supports his office/ the forum / gaining from ECSU.
At the end of the visit, the guests extended their appreciation on the immense and commendable work of the ECSU and pleased with warmest welcoming reception by the university president and well organized HAMU team. They said that everyone should take these exemplary activities and implement in their respective universities and bureaus by contextualizing with their respective institutions.