Haramaya University President said, Higher Educational Institutions Have a Pivotal Role to Strength Cooperatives

Haramaya University hosted discussion on Roles of Cooperatives in Developed and Developing Countries, Development and Challenges of Cooperatives in Ethiopia. During April 07-08, 2016 at the University`s resource center.

Head of the Department of Cooperative at Haramaya University Mr. Henock Semaw explained the general objectives of the Panel Discussion were to inform the participants and students about the current status of cooperatives movement in Ethiopia and the world in general. And enlightening the participants about untouched potential of cooperatives and their roles on economic growth and community development endeavors was one the objectives of the panel.

The Department has a great responsibility and it has to work more in creating awareness on the issue to the undergraduate students and the community. Haramaya University Business and Economics College dean, Dr. Mohamed Nur Ahmed said, efforts of cooperatives should be supported by research in order to transform the sectors contribution for the national development.

And he explained that Haramaya University is working his part to contribute for the sector transformation by producing skilled manpower, doing edge-cutting researches on the sector and giving short term training for cooperatives.

President of Haramaya University Prof. Chemeda Fininsa, on his opening speech said that, Cooperatives play a vital role in economic development in all sectors of the economy. A well organized and properly functioned Cooperatives links and supply new technologies and marketing for its members and create a modern production and marketing system.

The strength of the Cooperatives should be further improved and the challenges should be properly addressed. According to Prof. Chemeda higher learning institutions, research institutions and all other stake holders should involved at higher level to support the sector’s development.

In the second Growth and Transformation Plan we are working to enhance the capacity and knowledge of cooperatives, and promoting saving for further investment by preventing rent seeking attitudes in the cooperatives. Federal Cooperatives Agency, Director General Mr. Usman Surur, said on the discussion.

Different governmental and nongovernmental stake holder throughout the country, Cooperative Graduate and Cooperatives undergraduate students were in attendance and 3 research articles were presented and participants have reflected various issues, their views and concerns and opinions towards the articles.

They have also raised various questions regarding the cooperative and its development to the presenters. Finally, each of the presenters reflected on the questions, comments, reflections and concerns of the participants.