1.1. Background of the program
Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy, in which about 85% of its population is engaged. The agriculture sector is characterized to a large extent by mixed farming system. Livestock play a vital role in the farming system of the country. In the mixed crop-livestock system of the Ethiopian highlands, livestock are mainly used for draught power, milk and meat production and source of manure (fertilizer).
The varied agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia make it suitable for a large number and many kinds of livestock. Ethiopia is said to be endowed with the largest livestock population in Africa. It possesses about 17% of cattle, 15% of sheep and goats and about 49% of the equine population of Africa. Moreover, there are about 4.6 million honeybee colonies, 56 million poultry and large number of aquatic animals and wild life resources.
The sub-sector represents one of the major national resources. This huge animal resource, however, makes a disproportionately small contribution to national income, especially export income, and to national food production.
Animal Sciences program is crucial for all our society to produce professionals, scientists and experts that can do research for solving the problem of feed shortage, poor animal genetic, animal health. The contribution of the program is for all education sectors research institutions, ministry of agriculture, governmental and nongovernmental sectors, private sectors and inputs of industry.
1.2. Vision and Mission of the department
The department has a venerable vision to have proven competence in animal science training, research and extension by producing highly competent and skilled professionals in the areas of livestock sector and conducting multidisciplinary research which is innovative, result oriented and demand driven. Its mission is to offer training of high caliber, practically oriented, competent and responsive professionals in the fields of animal sciences with integrated, applied and problem solving research and services/extension.
1.3. Program objectives (general and specific)
1.3.1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The program is aimed at producing qualified and self-employed professionals in the field of animal sciences for the nation. It is also aimed to cultivate research oriented and competent professionals for research center, Universities, Colleges, ministry of agriculture and non-governmental sectors both in quality and quantity.
1.3.2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of the program are:
- To produce competent animal sciences professionals who could serve as experts and entrepreneurs.
- To produce professionals who carry out extension activities in animal sciences
- To participate in animal sciences research activities
- To develop professionals with positive attitude to rural development including responsibility, dedication, hard work, accuracy and team work.
- To produce professionals who can give consultative services to solve problem of animal sciences for various community groups.
- To produce professionals who have technical innovation in animal sciences development.
- To produce innovative graduates with good professional ethics and responsibility to work towards national development goals.
1.4. Professional profile
The professional profile of Animal Science experts include the ability to:
- Enhance sustainable livestock production in Ethiopia through effective and efficient utilization of the required resources
- Could implement, manage and evaluate livestock development projects
- Develop team spirit in conducting feasible studies , consult investors and financial institutions interested in livestock production
- Manage livestock production Information (formulate data collection tools, data collection, analyze and interpret it to develop livestock policies and strategies).
- Monitor and design environmentally friendly animal production system
- Develop and implement programs and strategies for the conservation and improvement of livestock species using conventional and /or advanced technologies.
- Conduct researches in livestock sector
- Design livestock development plans to enhance livestock commercialization
- Consult on identification, appraisal and implementation of livestock development policies, projects and programs
- Contribute , professionally, to promote livestock development at national and international level
- Train in Universities and Agricultural colleges
- Experts in livestock products and by products processing industries
- Provide extension service in dissemination of new applicable technologies for animal product value chain
1.5. Graduate profile
Upon completion of the B.Sc. program, the graduates:
- Could work as professionals in research institutions, private sector, and government and non-government organizations and contribute to the development of the livestock sector of the country.
- Realize scientific methods of raising farm animals either directly as entrepreneur or indirectly through extension.
- Design and conduct research geared towards enhancement of livestock production.
- Consult/advice in the area of livestock development.
- Train at Universities/Colleges and conduct researches
- Manage livestock sector
- Plan/devise livestock development projects
- Supervise livestock development activities
- Would be capable to integrate livestock production with other farming enterprises.
- Manage animal feed processing plants.
- Process livestock products and by-products
1.6. Admission requirement
- Successful completion of the Ethiopian Secondary Schools (10 +2 Program) with natural science background.
- Advance standing placement for holders of diploma in animal science and/or related fields who met the criteria set by the department,
- Special admission, admission as part-time students, admission for students with general certificate of education equivalent to the preparatory program and students who seeks to transfer from other higher learning institutions of equivalent standard to the program may be granted admission provided that they qualify the respective admission criteria of the department, and
- All other admission requirements of the university including pass points in its entrance examination.
1.7. Duration of study
- Three years
1.8. Mode of delivery
- Parallel
- Block
- Mixed (Parallel +Block)
1.9. Assessment and evaluation mechanisms
- The performances of the students will be assessed and evaluated continuously using class work, practical work, individual and group assignments, presentations and examinations (quizzes, presentation, final exam, etc.).
- Evaluation and assessment results will be shown to all students in time.