Hawassa University, CIFOR, discuss Establishment of KMC on Forestry.

Hawassa University and Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) have discussed collaboration to establish Knowledge Management Center in Forestry at Wondogenet College of Forestry & Natural Resources (WGCFNR).

Dr. Teshale W/Amanuel, Dean of WGCFNR, presented the rationale and objectives of establishing the center, and explained that the grand plan is to turn the college into a center of excellence and a hub of information and knowledge in the forestry sector. He added that the center will also be an asset to strengthen the university's transition to autonomy by generating its own income through multilateral international collaborations at the college.

Dr. Habtemariam Kassa from CIFOR also expressed his conviction that they are ready to partner with HU as long as the university endorses and owns the center, gets it accredited and invest in it as a center of excellence in the field.

Prof. Tsegaye Bekele, a veteran researcher and academic at WGCFNR, added that the college has very capable and competent human resource to do a lot more than just training and education in the forestry sector, and establishing this center will be a plus infrastructure needed to compliment the human resource.

HU's Interim President, Dr. Chirotaw Ayele, appreciated the initiative as it will close the national gap of not having a center of excellence in forestry. Dr. Chirotaw stated that universities are responsible for supporting the country by contributions of knowledge in the sector, and underscored the need to set proper timeline of implementation and get Senate approval to go with the plan. He said that having the center will be very important as it assists government's efforts of establishing climate change resilient green economy by serving as center of excellence.

V/President for Admin & Development, Dr. Samuel Jilo, on his part, remarked that it requires a lot of expertise and official support to make it work as aspired, so the university takes it seriously.