Birhanu Workneh

Head, Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension

Background

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has been giving emphasis to human resource development in the past two decades with an aim of combating the prevailing issues of poverty and food insecurity in the country using trained professionals in the areas of agriculture and rural development through expansion of higher education.

In line with the development plan of Ethiopian government, Salale University which was established in July 2015 G.C also has given attention to initiate demand driven training programs in rural and agricultural sectors.

Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension was established in 2019 in the university and now offers degree programs at undergraduate level.

At present, since the department is at its early establishment stage, it runs only one regular BSc level training program with wider future plan to accept Mid-career, Summer-in-service, Continuing Education Programs and Master’s degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension. So far, the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension has also produced and graduated 89 Bachelor’s degree graduates since 2021 Academic Year.

Vision

• The Department of RDAE is eager to be the center of excellence in the area of rural development, Agricultural extension service/counseling and needs to transform the living conditions our rural society.

Mission

• To produce competent and qualified RDAE graduates contributing to the Ethiopian society by pursuing education, learning, research and community development support services in line with the national needs.

Objectives

After the completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Assist in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions for agricultural development in Ethiopia by supplying the country with innovative, dynamic and professional change agents who upon their graduation can serve various organizations addressing the emerging issues in development in an effective manner;
• Facilitate pro-poor, gender sensitive and ecologically sound agricultural and rural development by producing educated human resource in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension;
• Gain knowledge in the conceptual framework, features, significance, components and growth aspects concerned with multifaceted dimensions of rural development and agricultural extension especially with regard to the specialized agencies established to and projects tailored for development;
• Acquire the necessary skills to address the issues of poverty and will be able to render extension services and will also better serve for co-ordination of rural agencies and community development programs;
• Appreciate the knowledge, skills, and the role of rural development partners and will be in a position to bring better attitudinal and behavioral changes not only in themselves for better development interventions but also in the public to get them involved in Rural Development processes.

Staff profile

S.N.	Name	Academic Rank	Email
1	Mis. Shewadinber Mekonin	Lecturer	smekonin@yahoo.com
2	Mr. Birhanu Workneh	Lecturer	bwcb1927@gmail.com
3	Mis. Sena Dhaba	Lecturer	senadaba2014@gmail.com
4	Mr. Temesgen Desta	Lecturer	tame4jss@gmail.com
5	Mr. Birhanu Abera	Lecturer	fireekoo2023@gmail.com
6	Mr. Mersimoy Ajema	Lecturer	marsimoyjema2017@gmail.com
7	Mr. Teferi Taye	Lecturer	teferitayea@gmail.com
8	Dr. Abreham Bogale	Assistant Professor	abrhamb24@gmail.com
9	Dr. Dagne Getachew	Assistant Professor	enguday2002@gmail.com
10	Dr. Dereje Haile	Assistant Professor	derehaile7@gmail.com
11	Mr. Dereje Gemecchu	Lecturer	derejegemechu2011@gmail.com
12	Dr. Lema Dhugo	Assistant Professor	lemish2001dugo@gmail.com
13	Mr. Dajane Agza	Lecturer	dejeneagza1924@gmail.com
14	Mr. Ashenafi Mekonin	Lecturer	ashenafibishe@gmail.com