Wolaita Sodo University (WSU), led by President, Guchie Gulie (PhD), warmly welcomed a delegation from University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland, led by Professor Pat Gibbons.
The visitors have come for a four-day working visit aimed at advancing the establishment of agricultural education and research center in Wolaita.
The discussion brought together WSU managements; Head of Wolaita Zone Administration; CEO of Wolaita Development Association (WODA); the delegate from the South Ethiopia Region Finance Bureau; management members of Areka Agricultural Research Center; representatives of Wolaita Agricultural College; Head of Wolaita Zone Agriculture Department and other invited respective experts from these institutions.
In his welcoming remarks, WSU President Guchie Gulie (PhD) highlighted the importance of collaborative engagement with UCD in realizing the proposed agricultural education and research center. Assi. Prof. Samuel Tessema delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the commitment of the zonal administration to work with the visitors in moblising and providing the necessary support for the center's establishment.
Professor Pat Gibbons briefed participants on the progress achieved so far through the collaboration with WSU highlighting key milestones and ongoing efforts toward realizing agricultural education and research center. In his closing remarks, Dr. Misrak Abreham, Head, Wolaita Zone Agriculture Department, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration and coordinated stakeholder engagement in translating the initiative into reality.
Furthermore, Berhanu Kuma (PhD) project coordinator, briefed participants outlining the group composition, planned activities and visits to the proposed center's strategic direction, implementation and activities during the research site visit.
Following the discussions, the visiting delegation, institutional leaders, and experts organized into working groups to visit selected research sites and assess key areas relevant to the proposed initiative. Each group was assigned structured observation checklists and proposal-guidance documents to identify priority issues, refine the proposal's rationale, formulate key research questions, and establish specific objectives.
The four-day engagement is expected to strengthen institutional collaboration, generate evidence-based inputs, and build consensus on the fundamental components of the research proposal, paving the way for the establishment of a sustainable agricultural education and research center in Wolaita.
Knowledge in Action!
WSU Public and lntrnational Relations Excutive Directorate