BACKGROUND

The Department of Earth Sciences was established in 2007 as part of Wollega University's commitment to addressing Ethiopia's natural resource and environmental challenges. It is recognized as a senior and dynamic unit within the College of Natural and Computational Sciences. With a mandate to advance geoscientific knowledge and address both national and global challenges, the department has built a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and community services. Since its establishment, the department has undergone significant evolution, starting from running only one program to currently having two undergraduate and two postgraduate programs. The department has played a key role in educating future professionals in geology, geo-informatics, and geophysics while serving as a hub for scientific inquiry and practical applications.

The Department of Earth Sciences at Wollega University is a premier center of geoscience education and research located in Nekemte, Ethiopia. Committed to excellence, innovation, and social responsibility, the department delivers a comprehensive curriculum through its robust undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including B.Sc. degrees in Geology and GIS, and M.Sc. in Exploration Geophysics, GIS and Remote Sensing, Hydrogeology, and a forthcoming BSc degree in Mining Engineering. With state-of-the-art laboratories, dynamic fieldwork opportunities, and modern geospatial facilities, the department equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for addressing natural resource management, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction.

MISSION

The Earth Science Department will develop in each student critical thinking, enthusiasm, initiative, and the necessary skills to become lifelong students of Earth Sciences.  Emphasis will be placed on learning basic concepts and techniques through research, in an environment that fosters the development of professionals with a social, cultural, and humanistic sensibility, as well as profound ethical values.  In this way, the department will contribute to the enrichment of Geoscience and society through the creation and dissemination of new knowledge through scientific research. The Earth Science Department focuses on:

• Prepare students for professional positions in industry and government and careers in academic research and teaching.
• Increase awareness of Geosciences in liberal arts, education, and other science majors.
• Deliver high-quality education and training by BSc in Geology, Geo-informatics (GIS and Remote Sensing), and by MSc in geophysical exploration, Hydrogeology, and Geo-information systems.
• Build a diverse, highly skilled professional student population that contributes to the sustainable development in all degree programs.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with national and international institutions.
• Engage with communities through community service programs that promote environmental conservation and sustainable practices.

VISION

The Earth Science department intends to produce a well-trained and competent geologist and Geo-informatics capable of responding to societal needs by providing the highest levels of education entailing theoretical, practical, fieldwork, and industry attachments and strives to foster an environment in which students learn to think, conduct research, apply knowledge, and achieve success in a diverse and changing global. The Department also aims to achieve national recognition through its education and research programs in geology and geo-information science. To achieve this vision, the department will pursue at least five strategic directions below.

Strategic Directions:

1. Create a Department identity that promotes the core and emerging strengths of Geoscience.
2. Develop a faculty, staff, and administrative structure equivalent to top-tier PhD and Scientist-granting institutions.
3. Establish the well-structured Earth Science Department as the center of excellence in Geosciences and center for research in Western Ethiopia on natural resource identification, planning, management, mining engineering, metallurgy, mineral processing and value addition, environmental issues, disaster risk reduction, and utilize its findings wisely for sustainable development and environmental stewardship. 
4. Empower innovative and globally significant geoscience research and Technology by creating modern and societally relevant Geoscience research and education programs.
5. To be a Department that shares our success with the stakeholders and communities we serve.

   COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

   The Department of Earth Sciences, encompassing both Geology and GIS programs at Wallaga University, places a strong emphasis on fostering collaborations and partnerships to enhance academic excellence, research capacity, and community service. One of the department's key collaborators is the Ministry of Mines, which provides invaluable opportunities for joint research, resource exploration, and practical training for students. Through this partnership, the department engages in mineral resource assessments, geological mapping, and sustainable mining practices, contributing to the country's economic advancement.

   This collaboration also ensures that students and faculty are exposed to real-world challenges and solutions in the field of geology, creating a bridge between academic knowledge and industry needs. Furthermore, the partnership enables access to advanced geological data, equipment, and expertise, enriching the learning experience while addressing critical national resource management issues.

   Another significant partnership is with the Space Science and Geospatial Institute of Ethiopia (SSGI), which supports the department's GIS program by providing cutting-edge geospatial technology, remote sensing data, and training opportunities. This collaboration strengthens the department's capacity to conduct research in areas such as land use planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. By working closely with SSGI, the department contributes to national development goals through the application of geospatial science in urban planning, agricultural monitoring, and climate change adaptation.

   Additionally, this partnership enables students to gain hands-on experience with satellite imagery, GIS software, and spatial analysis tools, equipping them with the skills needed to address Ethiopia's pressing environmental and developmental challenges. Together, these collaborations ensure that the Department of Earth Sciences remains at the forefront of research and innovation in geology and geospatial science, contributing to the sustainable development of the nation

   INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

   • The Lebanese Center for Water and Environment (LCWE).
   • IHE Delft Under the Water and Development Partnership Program of the Netherlands.

Dear readers!

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the Department of Statistics at Wallaga University. The department of statistics is one of the departments established in 2000 E.C with four staff members under the College of Natural and Computational Sciences. To establish the Department, the undergraduate statistics curriculum was designed in consideration with profound statistical knowledge that helps to play an active role in the activities of professional societies, regional networks. The Department of statistics has been strongly striving to improve the teach-learning processes via the recently refined and need-based curricula through student-centered learning process. We encourage our students to actively engage with the subject matter, whether it is through classroom discussions and practical field. Our department members dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. The scientific wing of our Department provides special training on scientific paper writing including proposal writing and preparation of manuscripts for possible publication to young researchers or other interested personnel. Along with academic excellence, our department also places a strong emphasis on research. We are proud of the groundbreaking work that our faculty and students have contributed to the scientific community.

Currently, the department has 13 teaching staff members and one secretary. As we move forward, our department is committed to innovation and adaptability. We are continuously updating our curriculum, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and providing opportunities for students to participate in groundbreaking research projects.

Reta Chamada Dessalegn

Head, Department of Statistics

 Lists of under graduate and Postgraduate Programs 

Under graduate program

Modality: Regular

Bachelor of Science Degree in Statistics (BSc)

• This program was started in 2000E.C, where the first batches have graduated in 2002E.C
• So far, batches 518 students were graduated with the BSc Degree program until 2016E.C.

     Admission Information

• An applicant must have successfully completed the science preparatory program in a recognized secondary school with good performance in mathematics in the national or equivalent placement/entrance examination or
• The applicant must have graduated from a recognized university/college with a diploma in Statistics or related fields.
• Master’s program

Modality:  Regular and summer

1. Masters in Applied Statistics

• The postgraduate program in Applied Statistics was launched in 2009E.C.
• So far, batches 15 students were graduated with the Master Degree (MSc) by Applied Statistics program until 2016E.C.

Admission Requirements

• The applicant must have a bachelor's degree in statistics or a closely related field from a recognized university.
• Those students whose background is different from Statistics should expect that additional undergraduate and/or graduate coursework may be required to complete the program.

The performance of the applicant in the M.Sc. entrance examination must be satisfactory                     

 Background of Statistics Department

Statistics is the science and, arguably, also the art of learning from data. As a discipline it is concerned with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, as well as the effective communication and presentation of results replying on data. Statistics lies at the heart of the type of quantitative reasoning necessary for making important advances in the sciences, such as medicine and genetics, and for making important decisions in business and public policy.  Statisticians are in demand in all sectors of society, ranging from government, to business and industry, to universities and research labs. As a statistician you can be involved with the development of new lifesaving drugs in a pharmaceutical, the shaping of public policy in government, the planning of market strategy in business, or the management of investment portfolios in finance. Today greater value is placed on Statistical information, Statistical Skills and Statistical knowledge.

The relevance and importance of teaching science in general and Statistics in particular in teaching and research to Ethiopia is thus apparent. As a developing Country aspiring to achieve overall advancement, the country has the option to combine both low and high level knowledge in Statistics to benefit its society particularly in the areas of Biological and Physical Sciences, Agricultural, Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, and Many other fields. The country promotes the science of Statistics through advanced level university study and research.

Department of statistics at natural science College of Wallaga University was launched in  2000E.C , with BSc degree program. Initially, it began its activities with small intake capacity (about 39 students). Gradually, the department expanded its intake capacity up to two times more than its initial intake. Currently, two programs are running at the department undergraduate program (BSc degree program in statistics) and a graduate program (MSc degree program in Applied Statistics). The graduate program in Applied Statistics was launched in 2009 E.C  

 Vision

To provide high quality statistical service to support social and economic development of the country evidence-based decision-making processes at both policy and planning levels.

 Mission:

In reach students to coordinate, collect, compile analyses and disseminate high quality and best-practiced official statistics to assist informed decision-making, and discussion within the government, business and the media, as well as the wider national and international community.

Name:  Mr. Lemessa Amente Goboto

Qualification: MSc

Position: Lecturer

Research Area/Interest: Numerical Analysis/ Computational mathematics,

Contact details:

Mobile: +251-913937272

E-mail(s): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Name:  Mr. Tola Bulti Geleta

Qualification: MSc

Position: Lecturer

Research Area/Interest: Differential Equations.

Research Outputs Links:

ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7053-6257

Contact details:

Mobile: +251-917855750

E-mail(s): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NAME: Mr. LenchaTamiru Abdisa

Qualification: Master of Sciences in Applied Mathematics

Position:  Lecturer

Research Area/Interest: Differential Equation/Mathematical Modeling, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Differential Equations and other related fields.

Research Output  Links:

ORCID: 0000-0002-3009-9393

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lencha-Abdisa?ev=hdr_xprf

CONTACT DETAILS:

Phone: +251922206995

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.