Jimma University has bestowed honorary doctorate degrees on Artist Ali Birra and Awura Amba Leader and philosopher Zumra Nuru

Jimma University has graduated 1690 first round graduates on June 12/2010 colorfully.

On the occasion Dr. Kaba Urgessa has stated that the graduates of Jimma University have already imbibed enough knowledge and practical problem solving skills and attitudes in line with the Community Based Education Philosophy the university pursues.

Therefore, Dr. Kaba Urgessa has explained that he is confident that the graduates will play a pivotal role in tackling the societal problems in the fields they have graduated through working along the community at grassroots level in their professional career that they will take sooner.

Moreover, the president has stated in his report that out of 1690 graduates 100 of them are graduates in postgraduate studies program in various fields of health, business and economics, and natural sciences. Again, the president stated that Jimma University has graduated students in four disciplines at undergraduate level such as sport sciences, Oromo folklore governance and development studies and educational planning and management and in health care and hospital administration at MSc level for the first time in the history of the university in collaboration with Yale University School of Public Health.

Furthermore, the guest of honor of the graduation ceremony, His Excellency Dr.Tewodros Adehanom federal minister of health on his part has given directives to the graduates to work hard to solve the societal problems and be instrumental in the democratization and national multifarious development effort the country is undertaking to attain middle income country level in the foreseeable future. He further, stated that we are fighting against backwardness, disease and ignorance using educated human power. Therefore, the government has established twenty universities to produce educated task force to facilitate a national development all over the federal regions.

On this colorful graduation ceremony, Jimma University has bestowed an honorary doctorate degree in music; to artist Ali Mohammed Birra for his contribution to Ethiopian music in general and to the development of Oromo music and culture for more than half a century.

Ali Mohammed Birra, who is a legendry Oromo singer, is a poet, dissident and a nationalist who has been working for the development of Oromo music and fought for human right.

Besides, Artist Ali Birra, the university has conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Awura Amba leader and philosopher Zumira Nuru. The university has recognized Zumira Nuru for his contribution in founding an Awaura Amba community and for his contribution in creating betterment in the lives of the community and for his progressive thinking to bring palpable change in the life of the community at grass root level.

Jimma University encourages community development, gives recognition to individuals who have contributed to national development, and community betterment in various fields in line with its cherished innovative community based educational philosophy to bring palpable change and development in Ethiopia.

In General, Jimma University has graduated students in agriculture, natural sciences, social sciences and law and postgraduate programmes in various disciplines.

By the same token, Jimma university will graduate around 2000 students the coming Saturday on June 19/2010 students of engineering and technology, business and economics and public health and medical sciences college colorfully on the main campus.