College of Natural and Computational Sciences Offering Training to Grade 7-12 Students

By Sileshi Yilma & Shemsedin Mohammed

College of Natural and Computational Sciences announced that its is offering a one month training for grade 7-12 students selected from the nearby schools.

Close to 400 students, drawn from east and west Hararghe zones, Harari Regional State, Bate Kebele, and Model School, are taking part in the training which mainly focuses on mathematics, science, and information and communication technology courses.

According to Dr. Getachew Abebe, dean of College of Natural and Computational Sciences, apart from the three courses, there is a plan to add spoken English class based on a request from the students during the orientation program.

The training is offered by staff members of the College. Dr. Getachew said that various improvements have been made this year from last year’s experience.

“For instance, the manuals have been refined to focus on practice,” Dr. Getachew explained.

Last year the training was financially supported by a US-based NGO through Ministry of Education. This year, however, based on an agreement reached, Haramaya University will cover the full cost as part of its community engagement activity, Dr. Getachew indicated in an interview with HU Online.

College of Natural and Computational Sciences is conducting various activities to full its community engagement duties. According to Dr. Getachew, the College has delivered training for grade 9 students on the basic ways of studying mathematics in order to boost the students’ interest towards mathematics.

In addition, in order to create competition among various schools in the area, Mathematics Department has held a competition under the title Mathematics Olympiad. Winners of the competition were also awarded.The Department has also a plan to launch Mathematics Enrichment Center.

Among the 375 trainers who have so far been registered to take the one month training, 276 are males, whereas the remaining 99 are females. The number of trainees is expected to rise. The training will be concluded after the students take examination.