DMU: – Institute of Land Administration, Debre Markos University and Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute sign Memorandum of Understanding to work together for mutual benefits and the need to strengthen the cooperation within the field of Geospatial Information under the presence of delegates of Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute, Debre Markos University President & Vice presidents, invited guests and concerned bodies in Queen Sheba Venue, today on 5 February 2021.
Dr. Tafere Melaku, Debre Markos University President and Dr. Tulu Beshah, Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute, General Director signing the MoU and presenting gifts each other.
Dr. Tafere Melaku, Debre Markos University President speaking at the opening stage says that “Debre Markos University pays great attention to its partners since the University wants to bring change and development. Hence, Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute is right in the selection of its partner, Debre Markos University to work together in areas related to the means for the ultimate development of the country which is its land,” Doctor Tafere remarked.
Though the idea in land administration starts in the earlier times, the country has not yet developed good Scientific Land Administration for both rural and urban land administration. Therefore, this will have pivotal role in the advancement of land administration. For this Debre Markos University Land Administration Institute should keep on working aggressively to alleviate land administration issues, Doctor Tafere underlined.
Doctor Tulu Beshah, Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute, General Director says that “the Institute was established by merging the powers and responsibilities vested for Ethiopian Geospatial Information Agency and the Geospatial Information Division of Information Network Agency (INSA).” It was also indicated that authoritative geospatial information production, research and development, National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) implementation, innovation and analytics on the geospatial sector to see a prosperous Ethiopia are the main responsibilities of Geospatial Information Institute (GII). Admiring the commitment and interest of the University, Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute works with universities in sharing Geospatial Information, Rural and Urban Geospatial data and basic Geospatial Information, he added. Thereby, the Institute will work with Debre Markos University Land Administration Institute to share land information, conduct applied researches, to equip students in practical skills on Geospatial Technologies and other developmental issues that would improve the livelihood of the society, Dr. Tulu concluded.
It is mentioned that Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute is to deploy Geospatial Ecosystem Technology in Debre Markos University that will help the two parties share information each other.
Mr, Mulugeta Tenaw, Debre Markos University Land Administration Institute Dean, explains about the human resources of the institute, activities being done in the teaching learning, research and community services.
It is noted that the objective of the MoU is to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on geospatial data and technology or advance geospatial information on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and tradeoff.
Moreover, the MoU enables the parties exchange and training of scientific and technical personnel, implement education and training programs in institutions related to geospatial data and technology and technical standards on a non-commercial basis, to develop joint research or technical project on subjects of mutual interest, to share spatial data and geospatial data gathering devices, to launch new specialization program related to geospatial science, technology and its applications, to give practical training for students on spatial data processing, data analysis and interpretation, to jointly take part and organize national and International symposiums, workshops, conferences, seminars and other key events depending on relevance within the scheduled events.
Finally, it is noted that the MoU which contains nine articles was signed by Dr. Tafere Melaku on behalf of Debre Markos University and Doctor Tulu Beshah on behalf of Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute. Moreover, Ethio-Geospatial Information Institute and Debre Markos University present gifts each other that would strongly tie their relationships.
Speaking at the closing stage, Doctor, Yiheyes Aregu, Debre Markos University Academic Affairs Vice President says that though the country particularly Gojjam is endowed with reach natural resources, the resources we have is not used due to the lack of skill we have. Thus, this agreement will enable to solve our practical skills on land administration. This will in turn help us to protect, enrich, and use the available resources that would foster the development of the country, he underlined.