Haramaya University has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Aarhus University of Denmark (AARHUS) to conduct comprehensive groundwater research in eastern Ethiopia and the Oromia region.
The five-year project, funded by the Danish Embassy, aims to identify groundwater availability and its potential uses.
Dr. Yishak Yusuf, Vice President of Research and Community Partnership at Haramaya University, emphasized the significance of the research in understanding groundwater resources and ensuring their sustainable utilization. The study will be particularly valuable in the restored Haramaya Lake watershed area, where knowledge of groundwater levels is crucial for lake management and protection.
Dr. Asfaw Kebede, a researcher from Haramaya University’s Institute of Technology and the project coordinator, explained that the collaboration will employ advanced technology to map groundwater holdings in Ethiopia. The project will also provide capacity-building training for students and experts from various institutions.
The research initiative is a joint effort involving Haramaya University, Hawassa University, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the Ethiopian Institute of Water Technology. The collected data will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Ethiopia’s groundwater potential.
Dennis Grumbacher, a representative from Aarhus University’s research team, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential to improve access to groundwater information for communities in Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa, and other areas through the use of modern groundwater detection equipment.
Reporter:- Habtamu H/giyorgis
Haramaya University Public & International Relations Directorate