The Office of the Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer of the Addis Ababa University jointly with Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized symposium on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) at Adulala Resort, Bishoftu from July 21-22, 2014.

Entitled as “The State of Nile River Management-GERD Contribution towards Regional Development”, this national symposium has featured different scholars’ paper presentations on issues pertaining to the contribution of the dam for economic growth, sustainability of the dam and Ethiopian Water Diplomacy Strategy: Past, Present and the Future.

Admasu Tsegaye (PhD), President of Addis Ababa University, in his opening speech said the university has been working tirelessly to play momentous role in technology transformation strategy. On the occasion, H.E. Ato Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, said equitable and reasonable use of water resource is vital to secure our power demand to emancipate our people from the yoke of poverty and achieve sustainable development.

Ethiopia has enough water potential for generating hydroelectricity to secure the power demand of the country though this remained history for centuries. Nile River, the longest river, is one of the potential energy source on which the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam, self funding and flag-ship dam of Ethiopia, is being constructed. This dam is supposed to be an engine in the economic transformation of the country.

The power demand of Ethiopia has been growing tremendously at an average rate of 25% on the past five years and is forecasted to increase to 32% annually in the coming five years.

The role of higher learning institutions intellectuals towards paving way to realize the already launched economy transformation is tremendous.