Wolaita Sodo University takes steps to self-autonomy!–Accomplishes 130 Million Birr Hospitality, Tourism Center

***************

In line with the Ministry of Education’s directives to higher learning institutions, Wolaita Sodo University (WSU) said it has been executing various projects for income generation.

Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, the University’s President Prof. Takele Tadesse noted that the University has carried out various activities to enable it to be self-sufficient in terms of budgetary allocation. To this end, due attention has been given to internal income generation activities.

As part of income generation, the university completed 96 percent of the construction of a Hospitality and Tourism Training Center following international quality standards. It would provide four-star hotel services. “Alongside this, we would focus on producing quality manpower in the fields of hotel and tourism from short-term training to PhD level. Foreign and local language training would be given to trainees.”

The center is equipped with 150 bedrooms, classrooms, dining rooms, conference halls, shops, massage, clinic, laundry, play stations, and other recreational facilities. It is targeted to generate half a million Birr from the center in a daily operation.

The president further stated that the establishment of the center has a significant role in tourism sector development. One of the focus areas of the university is tourism and hospitality development. Apart from education and training, the center provides services equal to four-star hotels in Ethiopia.

The center will also contribute to the development of the city and support the university’s journey to becoming autonomous by increasing internal revenue capacity. The interior design will be structured according to Wolaita’s cultural values.

Furthermore, the university is working on dairy farming, strengthening the provision of continuous education and expanding its involvement in the agriculture sector. Some 1.2 million birr was allotted to increase the current 20 dairy cows to 100.

The plan is also set to involve the agro-processing sector in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. WSU also plans to expand revenue sources from different institutions at home and abroad and utilizes the local manpower to achieve its plan of becoming autonomous soon, Prof. Takele remarked.