• Introduction
• Objectives of the Institute
• Academic Programs
• Academic Departments
• Admission
• Academic Facilities
• Research & Publication Coordination Service
• Cooperation and assistance
• Student services
• Enrollments and achievements
• Staff
• Staff residence
• Future plan of AWTI
• AWTI'S graduates

I. Introduction

The Arbaminch Water Technology Institute (AWTI) was first established in 1986 with the general objectives of promoting the advancement of water resources development, environmental protection, civil construction industries, and small & large scale agricultural-led industries.

With an area of about 200 hectares, the Institute is located at a very conspicuous site, five kilometers north of Arbaminch, the capital of North Omo Region, 505 Kilometers south of Addis Ababa. The average temperature is 30⁰C and 575 mm of annual rainfall.

Situated in the Great Rift Valley, AWTI naturally enjoys the presence of Abaya and Chamo lakes, together with the ''Forty Springs'' and the Netch Sar National park, just a few kilometers away.

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II. Objectives of the Institute

The main objectives of the Institute are first, to create skilled and qualified water engineers vital for the effective utilization of the vast water resources for various aspects of development. And, second, to produce civil engineers who will be engaged in civil construction industries, and mechanical & electrical engineers for small & large scale agricultural-led industries.

Among the main specific objectives, the following are the major ones:

• To provide theoretical and practical education designed for producing low, intermediate and high level manpower in various aspects of engineering.
• To carry out researches which focus on all fields of engineering, and
• To prepare, plan and conduct various refresher courses in response to the specific training needs forwarded by different governmental and non-governmental organization.

III. Academic Programs

1. Basic Training Programs:

• A five-year (ten-semester) degree program which offers a Bachelors Degree of Science.
• A three-year (six-semester) advanced diploma program. This also awards senior (advanced) Diploma after three years of training.
• A two-year (four-semester) diploma program.

• Irrigation Engineering
• Hydraulic Engineering
• Sanitary & Environmental Engineering
• Water resources Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering; and
• Electrical Engineering

• Irrigation Engineering;
• Hydraulic Engineering
• Sanitary & Environmental Engineering and
• Water resources engineering

• Soil laboratory Technicians
• Hydrology Technician; and
• Water laboratory Technicians

a. Kiremt/In-service program

• Hydraulic Engineering (degree)
• Water Resources Engineering (Ad.dip.)
• Civil engineering( Advanced diploma)

• Building Construction (Advanced Diploma)
• Civil Engineering (Advanced Diploma)

Under this program refresher and skill - upgrading short-term courses are designed and offered to trainees who come from governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The duration of training in this program ranges from one month to six months. At the end of the respective training, the Institute awards certificates to trainees who successfully complete the courses. (All necessary details of this program can be obtained upon request). The areas of training are the following:

• Community Water Supply & Sanitation
• Irrigation Planning Design & Evaluation
• Small scale Irrigation Technician training
• Community Participation Promotion
• Pump and Motor Mechanics
• Water Well Drilling
• Water Supply Scheme Caretakers
• Small-Scale Irrigation
• Computer Application
• Water Resources Planning, Development & Management
• Advanced Hydrology Course
• Small-Scale Hydropower Development
• Water Quality Analysis
• Soil Laboratory Technicians training
• Hydrometry for technicians

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IV. Academic Departments

AWTI has so far the following departments:

• Irrigation engineering Department
• Hydraulic Engineering Department
• Sanitary and Environmental Engineering Department
• Water Resources Engineering
• Civil Engineering Department
• Mechanical Engineering Department
• Electrical Engineering Department
• Basic Sciences Department

V. Admission

Admission to the degree program, at the freshman level, in AWTI, is generally conducted by the Ministry of Education. But admission to the advanced diploma and diploma programs however, is decided by the Institute.

Admission with the advanced standing

AWTI also provides admission at the advanced standing level for qualified candidates. To be considered, applicants are required to have attended a two-year college and/or college-level education as regular students prior to applications made. Any exception to this, and admission to the program is decided and approved by the Institute only.

Admission to the various certificate programs in AWTI is possible on the basis of agreements to be made between the Institute and sponsoring organizations interested in sending their trainees to the Institute.

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VI Academic Facilities

1. Laboratories

In order to provide students with the opportunity to correlate their theoretical knowledge with practical skills and boost their academic excellence, variety of up to date laboratories are in use. Presently, the Institute has the following laboratories:

• Water Quality lab
• Soil Mechanics/Geology lab
• Surveying lab
• Construction Material lab
• Hydraulic lab
• Physics lab
• Biology lab; and
• Chemistry lab
• Internal combustion engine and heat transfer lab
• Fluid and turbo machines lab
• Refrigeration and air condition lab
• Strength of materials lab
• Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) lab
• Electronics lab
• Power lab
• Micro processors lab
• Communication lab; and
• Control lab

Currently, AWTI boasts its modern and well-equipped workshops, which can assist trainees to a greater degree in providing them with invaluable skills in their respective field of training. So far the Institute has:

• Engine and Pump Repair workshop
• Electrical workshop
• Metal Forming and welding workshop
• Plumbing workshop
• Wood workshop
• Machine workshop
• Foundry workshop
• Meteorology workshop
• Electrical machines workshop
• CNC Machines workshop

Being one of the biggest in the country, the Institute's library has a maximum capacity of 500 users at a time. Having variety of books, which deal mainly with subjects related to different fields of engineering, the library gives ample of opportunities for research and basic studies regarding engineering.

4. Computer laboratory

AWTI has three well-equipped computer laboratories with all accessories and satisfactory computer facilities for staff and students. The application of computer facilities in the Institute has opened a new dimension toward the enhancement and excellence of academic activities and achievements.

Now that almost all academic, non-academic, and research activities in the Institute highly rely on computer more than ever, greater attention is paid to this and utmost efforts are being made to maximize the scope and efficiency of the computer laboratory. A special computer-training program designed and offered to trainees both from the Institute and in the vicinity witnesses this.

5. Lecture Halls

At present AWTI has 27 lecture halls, 3 Drawing rooms and one lecture theatre with the capacity of 1500.

6. Audio-visual Center

Being part of the library, the medium-size Audio-visual center now plays a key role in the teaching learning process. Presently, the Center is moderately equipped with educational projector films, overhead projectors, slide films, tape recorders, and cassettes. Moreover, incessant effort is made to update the center and up-grade its service in that it would, by large, meet the ever-increasing call for instructional media in the Institute.

7. Irrigation demonstration plot

About 100 hectares of farmland has been allotted for demonstrating irrigation principles and field practice. As it comprises of water application methods, the farm also provides an ideal ground for applied researches in areas of consumption, irrigation efficiencies and water use management.

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VII Research & Publication Coordination Service

The establishment of the Research and Publication Coordination Service(1992) was necessitated by the need for a systematic coordination and successful accomplishment of research activities in the Institute.

The service/section basically organizes and coordinates activities related to the following:

• Research
• Twining /link agreements with other universities
• Publication;

Being one of the cardinal objectives of AWTI, research is highly initiated, and the effort made so far, is gaining momentum.

At present researches are directed, by large, towards the utilization of the vast water resources, particularly, in the area of hydraulics, irrigation &drainage, power generation, water supply, sanitation, and appropriate technology for rural areas.

With respect to research activities, the Research an Publication Coordination Service mainly;

• coordinates and encourages research among faculty members,
• conducts studies and research on water resources, the protection of environment, and the integration of research with education; and
• arranges seminars and workshops in the Institute.

AWTI, through its Research and Publication Coordination Service, has made significant link agreements with the following institutions:

• Seigen University in Germany
• WEDC of Loughborough University in UK; and
• Technical University of Dresden in Germany

• joint research projects on supervision conducted in Ethiopia.
• student-staff exchange
• consultancy; and
• training activities

3. Publication

Faculty members are highly encouraged and supported in their efforts to prepare monographs, manuals, and textbooks on topics relevant to courses offered in the Institute.

As to maintaining the academic standard of manuscripts, the Research and Publication Coordination Service is authorized to determine their quality to qualify as teaching materials pursuant to publication regulations. Furthermore, a biannual journal entitled ''Ethiopian Journal of Water Science and Technology'' is published by the Institute.

4. Consultancy services

Staffed with specialists and equipped with up to date facilities, AWTI provides governmental and non governmental organizations with invaluable consultancy services in water technology, environmental impact analysis of water resources development projects, and other related areas.

Consultancy requests and proposals from organizations concerned, and agreements with the Institute are normally possible through Staff Training and Consultancy Service in the Institute.

5. Community Development Research Center (CDRC)

The Community Development Research Center was established in the Institute, which specifically deals with appropriate research in rural community water supply & sanitation, small-scale irrigation and hydropower developments and various training modules & consultancy for rural community needs in the vicinity of the Institute.

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VIII Cooperation and assistance

AWTI maintains cooperation with and secures assistance from the following:

1. UNDP

• financial assistance (top-up for expatriate teaching-staff) and equipment for Demonstration Farm.

• Technical assistance/ offering scholarships and visiting professors/
• equipment(for laboratories & workshops)
• assisting appropriate research & twining with German technical universities.

• Providing academic personnel
• assisting research in community water supply and sanitation and establishing the Community Development Research Center the in Institute

• providing educational materials (books, journals, projector films, cassettes, etc.)
• Sponsoring link with Loughborough University, UK.

• Assisting staff-development (providing teaching staff on block basis agreement).

XI Student services

AWTI provides its students with efficient services, such as, dormitory, cafeteria, health, guidance and counseling.

1. Dormitory

A three-storey apartment of the Institute has 56 rooms and can accommodate 400 students. Each floor has 14 rooms with two big-size common bathrooms, two toilet rooms, and a study room. 48 of the 56 rooms can accommodate a maximum of 8 students each, while the remaining eight have the capacity of four students each. Besides six new blocks, with ten rooms each and with the capacity of six students each, have been operational this academic year. More dormitories are still under construction.

2. Cafeteria

The cafeteria has the capacity of 350 students at a time. The variation and composition of meals in the cafeteria are intended to give students a fairly balanced diet. Additional cafeteria, with equal size, is also to be constructed.

3. Clinic

The Clinic in the Institute is fairly supplied with medicines, medical equipment, and personnel. Besides, serious medical cases are immediately referred to the nearby and the very renowned hospital in the country: the Arbaminch Hospital.

4. Guidance and counseling

The Institute, through the office of Students Service, renders students guidance and counseling service. Accordingly, considerable treatment and advice are given to students who have difficulties with regard to their psychological, social and academic activities.

5. Other facilities

A great deal of attention is also paid to recreational and sport activities in the Institute. Accordingly, staff and students can pass their leisure time in sport fields, such as, volleyball, basketball, football and swimming pool, or in the lounges with indoor games. The Institute has an Olympic size swimming pool of the first of its kind in the country. It has also two modern ground tennis courts.

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X Enrollments and achievements

Since its establishment, AWTI has admitted a total of 2653 students and graduated 905 in its degree, advanced diploma, and diploma programs.

1. Enrollments (1986/87-1998/99)
 

Academic year	Degree		Advanced Diploma.		Diploma		Grand Total
	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F
1986/87	64	1	54	1	53	4	171	6
1987/88	67	3	51	6	53	1	174	10
1988/89	86	1	82	4	55	6	223	11
1989/90	89	1	89	1	-	-	178	2
1990/91	85	3	85	3	-	-	170	6
1991/92	90	0	53	7	-	-	143	7
1992/93	34	0	39	0	-	-	73	0
1993/94	59	1	75	1	-	-	134	2
1994/95	69	1	68	2	-	-	137	2
1995/96	18	2	69	2	-	-	87	4
1996/97	60	5	62	2	-	-	122	7
1997/98	180	7	72	2	-	-	252	9
1998/99	302	11	68	10	-		370	21
1999/00	251	3	74	2	-		319	5
Total	1454	39	941	43	164	11	2553	92

 

2. Graduations (1987/88-1998/99)
 

Year of graduation	Degree		Advanced Diploma		Diploma		Grand Total
	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F
1987/88	-	-	-	-	41	4	41	4
1988/89	-	-	46	-	46	1	93	1
1989/90	-	-	34	-	39	4	73	4
1990/91	35	1	52	-	-	-	87	1
1991/92	49	2	56	1	-	-	105	3
1992/93	56	1	49	-	-	-	105	1
1993/94	75	2	16	2	-	-	91	4
1994/95	46	2	17	1	-	-	63	3
1995/96	49	-	44	-	-	-	93	1
1996/97	23	-	27	-	-	-	50	-
1997/98	39	-	43	1	-	-	82	1
1998/99	40	-	32	2	-	-	72	2
Total	412	9	416	7	126	9	954	25

3. Graduations by fields of specialization (1987/88-1998/99)
 

Field of Specialization	Degree		Advanced Diploma.		Diploma		Grand total
	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F
WRE	108	1	80	3	-	-	188	4
Hyd. Egn'g	127	1	111	3	-	-	238	4
Irr.Eng'g	111	4	141	-	-	-	252	4
San. Eng'g	66	3	84	1	-	-	150	4
Water Lab.tech.	-	-	-	-	32	4	32	4
Soil lab. Tech	-	-	-	-	42	1	42	1
Hydro. Tech	-	-	-	-	52	4	52	4
Total	412	9	416	7	126	9	954	25

4.1999/00 Academic year students enrolment (by program, fields of specialization, year and sex
 

Program	Dept	Year I		Year II		Year III		Year IV		Year V		Total
		M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F
Total Pre. Eng.g	Pre-Engg	251	3									251	3
	Hydraulic			74	3	38	0	30	5	20	0	162	8
	Irrigation			65	0	31	0	30	2	16	0	142	2
	Civil			65	6	41	3	0	0	0	0	106	9
	Mechanical			40	0	25	1	0	0	0	0	65	1
	Electrical			42	1	20	1	0	0	0	0	62	2
	Total	251	3	286
Advanced Diploma	Pre-Engg	74	2	43	1							117	3
	Hydraulic					22	1					22	1
	Irrigation					26	0					26	0
	Total	74	2	43	1	48	1					165	4
	Grand Total	325	5	329	11	203	6	60	7	36		953	29

5. Short-term trainees who completed their courses (since 1991/92 to date)
 

S.No	Training Title	No. of Trainees	Sponsoring org.
1	Community Water supply of Sanitation	164	-Tigray Reg. gov.t -Sidama-Ireland & Catholic Mission -Somali, Afar, Gambela/UNDP
2	Motor & Pump Mechanic	58	Tigray, Amhara, oromiya & SNNP Regional Gov.ts
3	Irrigation Design, Planning &Evaluation	40	SNNP oromiya Reg. Gov.ts/UNDP
4	Irrigation Technicians	28	-Fincha & Methara sugar Factory -SNNP
5	Irrigation Managements	82	Oromiya Region/UNDP
6	Community Participation Promotion	32	UNICEF, CRDA &Afar Region
7	Water Works Operation &Maintenance Technicians	58	Southern Reg Gov.t
8	Welding, Plumbing, Electric & Water Meter Technicians	82	Oromiya Reg. gov.t/RODECO GTZ
9	Water well Drilling	67	UNICEF
10	Care Takers in Water Supply Systems	31	GTZ-RODECO
11	Small Scale Irrigation	8	Oromiya Reg. Gov.t/UNDP
12	Computer Application	96	Individual Trainees & AWTI
Total		777

 
 

a. Summer/In-Service Program
	1998/99		1999/00		YEAR
Field of specialization	M	F	M	F
Hydraulic /Degree	33	0			II
WRE / Advanced Dip	38	2			I
b. Evening
Building Construction/ Ad. Dip	90	4	48	2	II
Civil Engineering / Ad. Dip	69	16	50	5	I

 

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XI Staff

Currently AWTI has a total of 84 academic staff out of whom 11 are on their M.Sc. and 6 are on their Ph.D study leave. Besides, there are 220 administrative personnel who permanently render support to the implementation of the Institute's objectives. Here below are shown number, qualification and academic rank of the academic staff.

1. Teaching staff by Academic Rank

• Associate Professor 2
• Assistant Professor 5
• Lecturer 41 (4 expatriates)
• Asst. Lecturer 5
• Graduate Assistant 1
• Technical Instructors 12
• Total 65

In academic institutions such as AWTI, teachers, apart from being pioneers for research and new innovations, shoulder the greatest responsibility for shaping and producing the most skilled manpower capable of changing and utilizing natural resources to the best interest of the nation.

In order to help the academic staff cope up with the dynamic change of the world, regular and up to date training is obviously necessary for them. Moreover, cultivation of such a tradition is quite a tremendous move towards standardizing and upgrading the academic excellence in any institution.

By the same token, AWTI has developed such an experience, through its staff development program, ever since it was established: it has given ample of opportunities to its academic staff for further and regular studies both in foreign and home universities.

From what has been set as the cardinal objective of AWTI, a great deal of achievement is expected to come out. This again highly calls for additional and more qualified teaching staff. Hence, 24 more members have been sent to the A.A.U. and various universities abroad for their M.Sc./MA. & Ph.D studies. As the need for highly qualified academic experts and professionals is still growing, AWTI's future plan focuses largely on sending more and more academicians to the various universities for further studies.

Hopefully, the Institute's long dream for self-sufficiency and self-reliance on its qualified manpower will be materialized, in this regard.

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XII Staff residence

Now that AWTI is located at a distance of five kms from the Arbaminch town, housing facility is normally provided for both academic and administrative staff. The Institute also supplies its staff with transportation facilities to and form the town for shopping and other activities.

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XIII Future plan of AWTI

It is strictly believed that the Arbaminch Water Technology Institute will be strengthened further through training and research activities in all engineering fields. It is also envisaged to start postgraduate programs and to open up additional faculties as part of the plan to establish a University in Arbaminch.

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XIV AWTI'S graduates

AWTI is perhaps the only higher institute in the country established with the basic objective of producing qualified water engineers and aid engineers. Having this fact in mind, graduates from AWTI have a real prospect towards employment in the various economic sectors of the country. Subsequently, there is a tremendous and ever-increasing demand for AWTI's graduates among the various governmental and non-governmental organizations all over the country.

This is, of course, witnessed by a very significant number of the graduates employed by a considerable number of governmental and non-governmental organizations, private consultants, and contractors.

Inquiries can be directed to:
 

Dean Arbaminch Water Technology Institute P.O.Box 21 Tel. 251-6-81-07-71 Fax: 251-6-81-02-79

Academic & Reserch Vice Dean Office Arbaminch Water Technology Institute P.O.Box 21 Tel. 251-6-81-00-70 Fax: 251-6-81-08-20

Registrar Arbaminch Water Technology Institute P.O.Box 21 Tel. 251-6-81-07-71 Fax: 251-6-81-08-20

Continuing Education Program Coordination Arbaminch Water Technology Institute P.O.Box 21 Tel. 251-6-81-11-41 Fax: 251-6-81-08-20

Tel. 06-81-00-70

06-81-02-79

06-81-00-97

or 06-81-08-20

Arbaminch, Ethiopia

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