The Center for Environment and Development Studies (CEDS) is one of the centers under the College of Development Studies and runs four graduate programs, namely: Environment and Sustainable Development (both MA and PhD programs), MSc in Water Resource Management and MA in Tourism Development and Management. These programs are entrusted with the task of producing sufficient number of qualified graduates that analyze diverse and complex environment and development issues, and contribute to planning of appropriate policy and interventions that are locally contextualized and intertwined with national and global realities. As the challenges of environment and development become ever more complex and diverse, the need for comprehensive approach that embraces both national and global dynamics is becoming imperative. Natural resources are the core assets for wealth creation and national development.

Establishment and Graduate Profile

The Center for Environment and Development Studies, although had different names over the years, was established in 2004/05 to train graduate students at the masters and PhD levels.

The graduate profile

The graduates of the programs are expected to serve as researchers, advisors and professionals in environment and development. The graduates of the program are:

• Equipped to analyze development problems of Ethiopia comprehensively and creatively suggesting solutions to the environmental problems;
• Expected to conduct independent research and policy analysis in environment, tourism, water resource and development;
• Supposed to contribute to the development debate in the country;
• Expected to provide technical expert services to governmental, non-governmental organizations and the private sector;
• Anticipated to assist in formulating policies to address social and economic problems such as poverty and inequality;
• Expected to promote knowledge on environment and development solutions of Ethiopia in particular and Africa in general.

Vision

The vision of the program is to be the leading center of excellence in environment, tourism, water resource management and development training and research in Africa.

 Mission

The missions of   the program are:

• Training  and producing highly-qualified  environment, tourism, water resource and development specialists;
• Conducting  multidisciplinary environment, tourism, water resource and development research;
• Disseminating practical and policy relevant knowledge for policy makers and environmental planners and mangers, and for NGOs;

• Providing practical solutions and community services that promote sustainable environmental development.

Objectives

The objectives of the Center are to produce graduates who are competent in the area of Environment, tourism, water resource and Development and to carry out research and policy analysis on specific environmental issues in response to the growing public concern over the deterioration of environmental conditions and tourism as well as water resource related issues in Ethiopia in particular and in Africa in general.