Debre Markos University (DMU)

Based on the diversity of ecosystems and the demands of the community, Debre Markos University has established two Centers of Excellence, one for agriculture and another for culture. Establishing a Center of Excellence allows the institution to thoro nter of Excellence allows the institution to thoroughly explore the possibilities of its surroundings and make a significant contribution to the country’s overall socio-economic development. For example, the Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) saw agriculture as the main driving force behind the country’s rapid and inclusive economic growth and development. GTP II also emphasized the role of developing, preserving and promoting cultural diversity, historical and natural heritage for the country’s socio-economic development and democratization process. Implementing the transformation agenda therefore requires coordinated efforts to implement a range of strategies to improve community livelihoods and secure community ownership of local cultural heritage. . For this reason, the university has taken on the scientific responsibility of investing in the region’s potential by establishing research centers in two strategic themes. Due to its geographical location in and around the Abay Valley, East Gojam is a naturally endowed area with diverse agro-ecological zones with diverse crops and partially fertile land. However, smallholder farmers living in this area are using traditional systems of farming, harvesting and marketing system. Due to this fact most farmers are suffering from economic problems and food and nutrition insecurity. To address this problem in the region, Debre Markos University has established center of excellence in crop productivity and agro processing and now doing different activities to realize the vision. Hence, the newly established center of excellence in the area of crop production and agro-processing will contribute to the regional food security, particularly in Gojjam through introducing diversified crop products and selected seeds; initiating entrepreneurs to establish agro processing enterprises; introducing new agricultural technologies, developing capacity of the community on crop production, nutrition and value addition; establishing agro-ecology based research stations and training centers; establishing crop production and agro-processing extension linkage, sharing experiences among smallholder, providing training on production and reducing pre and post-harvest losses, disseminating smart agronomic practices and improved varieties. East Gojjam is naturally, historically, religiously and traditionally a hallowed area which can attracts many tourists in the region. For instance, Choke Mountain which is considered as the water tower of Nile basin countries and one of the most tourist attractive sites in the region is found in East Gojjam. Moreover, East Gojjam is the major pillar of church education in Ethiopia. For instance, Debre Elias, Bichena Giorgis, Dimma Giorgis, Mertule Mariam, Washa Abba Teklehaimont and other monasteries have been serving as the center of excellence for Geez, Nebab Bet, Qedasse Bet, Zema Bet, Qnie Bet and Metsehaf Bet which are endemic for Ethiopia. These institutions and other religious centers in the area are also the sources of different tangible and intangible religious heritages. However, these diversified tangible and intangible cultural heritages in the area are not properly recorded, documented, studied and open for tourists and transfer to the young generation. Such overwhelming situations need the active participation of different institutions and the community itself. Consequently, Debre Markos University, which is one of the major social industries in the area, took responsibility to develop, preserve and promote cultural heritages in East Gojjam and West Gojjam Zone in the next Five Year Strategic Plan of 2020 – 2025 through establishing center of excellence in cultural heritages, language and literary. This center of excellence focuses on undertaking basic and problem solving research on the tangible and intangible cultural heritages and language development; combating harmful traditional practices (focusing on blood feud, bare footedness, female gentile mutilation, early marriage and extravagance); establishing museum and exhibition center; capacitating and augmenting indigenous knowledge; conserving and promoting cultural heritages, developing cultural values, literary and linguistic resources; upgrading and strengthening culture, literary, and language focused institutions, centers and departments of the university; developing infrastructure for tangible and intangible cultural heritages, literary and language resources; preserving of tangible and intangible cultural heritages, literary and language resources; establishing literary center, vernacular literature development center and museums; developing tourism by using tangible and intangible cultural heritages of the area; and producing large number of intellectuals in the area of culture, literature and language development. ...view more