Higher Education
AMOUD UNIVERSITY
Friday, January 19, 2007
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Amoud University, Borame |
A
Hydrologist
and researcher Mr. Abdi Hassan Qasim of department of Primary Industries, Tatura centre who is currently on a short visit to Amoud university held a seminar on ways and means to develop
research unit at Amoud university and mentioned that the main reasons behind establishing a research unit are to improve the socio economic development of the region and enhancing the quality of Amoud university. In addition to that the business enterprises and communities across the region will benefit from research conducted at Amoud University. He also took an example the history and developments of Tatura Research Centre of department of primary industries (DPI) and addressed in detail the limitations of research programs in the areas of funding (internal and external), Motivation and incentives, Strategic planning and direction (especially for the young staff) and possible approaches of research areas starting with understanding on information needs of the clients, future business systems and collaboration with non government organisations to achieve better outcomes as well as engaging communities participation at all levels of the program.
Mr. Abdi Hassan Qasim also stated the significance of publications in research and said unless you write down the good work that you have completed nobody realizes the work done. He went on to say the importance of publication hold on research findings and disseminations to stakeholders and community in large and in strengthening the quality and capacity and standard of the research institutions (e.g. Amoud University). Moreover; Mr. Abdi Hassan Qasim mentioned that research facilities are almost non existent and the ability of trained research and extension staff is generally inadequate
He also became the first research scientist who has held a seminar at the auditorium of the Faculty of agriculture and environment for the staff and undergraduate students in January 2006. The said topic of the seminar at the time was irrigation management and overall objective of the seminar was to impart students for improved and appropriate land and water management technologies for subsequent dissemination to farmers, particularly small-holder farmers. Mr. Abdi Hassan Qasim spoke at the time in great length about water availability for agricultural production and increasing population pressure and the need for intensification of production to generate food surplus. He also expressed his concern on land and water management issues, sustainability of soil and water resources and pointed out that soil conservation have suffered considerable neglect. The specific seminar objectives at the time were to give students some skills to manage irrigation system more effectively and improve water use efficiency and to calculate the soil readily available water (RAW) which indicates how much water is available to the plants.
Mr. Abdi Hassan Qasim also identified irrigation potential soils and their suitability and limitations in water supplies and quality crops suited to particular areas and crop rotation as well as factors affecting Irrigation scheme operation and maintenance of water distribution systems. Similar, but more practical course was delivered to the farmers at Ruqi and Baki area of Awdal region.
The target groups of both seminars were farmers, extension agents from universities and undergraduate students. Participants had a thorough knowledge of the latest technical aspects of small-scale irrigation methods and technologies. The ability of students to analyze situations and identify workable solutions to small scale farmer problems was enhanced. Students got experience from similar area in terms of climate although the area in which the Scientist took an example is advanced in terms of the facilities provided but with all of these technologies and updated knowledge made them easier for the students to understand the seminar contents. We thank Mr. Abdi Qassim for his contribution regarding irrigation management, research, curriculum, education and extension activities of the Faculty of agriculture and Environment of Amoud University.
Mr. Abdirahman Ibrahim is Associate Dean Of faculty of agriculture and Environment and can be reached at e-mail: [email protected]