Addis Ababa University (AAU’s) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has successfully performed its Teaching-Learning, Research and Community Service mandates withstanding the worldwide pandemic, COVID-19.

Assistance Professor Hika Waktole, the Dean for College of Veterinary Medicine, stated to the staff reporters of AAU that the College has been very successful in running duties with dedication and collaborative efforts of its staff members.

“Although our activities were disrupted due to COVID-19 last year, we have compensated this year what we lost by then. Besides, the first semester of the 2020/21 academic year is completed and the second has already begun,” Hika said.

According to the dean, the postgraduate program was completed virtually being under the restrictions of the Pandemic and students who had to graduate by the end of 2012 E.C. were able to achieve their dreams.

As stated by Hika, a number of research results have been obtained; 30 staff members were able to publish 126 research results by 2020. The college used a wide range of research resources coordinating its staff and postgraduate students, he added.

The dean said, “Our College’s community service is not limited to our area but also extends to other regions of the country, like Mojo, Holeta and others. For those closest to us, we have a veterinary hospital with moveable ambulatory service; we also deliver dairy products to the market with fair prices.”

CVM provides counselling and training services, especially on agricultural issues and how to care for animals to farmers, elementary school students and teachers; gives treatment and care for thousands of animals and humans, Hika further intensified.

“We have many partners at home and abroad. We are working closely with different universities and international organizations in Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union and others. They work with and support us in capacity building and research activities,” said the dean.

According to Hika, one of the greatest achievements for the College in the last fiscal year is that 5 of the 27 scholars who have been awarded full professorship by Addis Ababa University are from College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Challenges such as budget deficit, delays in procurement, inability to get the required raw materials in the market, inability to carry out certain repairs on time, shortage of staff service vehicles, etc. are some of the challenges. But Addis Ababa University is more than ever able to support as much as it can,” the dean finally said.

By: Abraham Girmay

Photo: Andualem Aseffa