New Building-complex Launches in Woldemeskel Memorial Research Center
Addis Ababa University (AAU) launched a newly constructed, multifaceted building in Tsehafie Tizaz Woldemeskel Tariku’s Memorial Research Center and honoured 14 retired doctors and professors on the 20th of April 2021.
Woldemeskel Memorial Research Center, under the Institute of Ethiopian Studies Library, is found in Addis Ababa located at Arat Kilo near by the St. Gabriel Church.
This research center was donated to AAU by Blatten Geta Mahteme Sillassie Woldemeskel, who had inherited it from his father Tsehafie Tizaz Woldemeskel Tariku, in 1963 E.C. for use as a center of promoting Ethiopian Studies.
Mrs. Adanech Abiebie, Addis Ababa City Administration Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of the Addis Ababa University Executive Board, congratulated AAU for the successful completion of the construction and honorary certification of its retired scholars. She reflected her feeling as follows:
“I want to congratulate both the family and AAU on seeing this historic site preserved in such a beautiful way and with the addition of new buildings.
It is a great example for all of us to learn from H.E. Woldemeskel’s family at a time when many individuals are challenging us to grab all plots of land through selfishness including anything even which they do not own.
AAU is a leading university in teaching and learning, social service and research fields in serving our country for the past 70 years. It is the topmost leading institution in promoting Ethiopia to the highest level of excellence in the world.
Blatten Geta Mahteme Selassie mentioned his father in his message: ‘My father loved his country, his culture and his language; I have contributed as much as I can in writing to this generation; I have donated this place to the university so that another generation can accept and continues it.’
We are very happy that the university has implemented this trust. Today, we are in a time of great competition, so we need to develop our knowledge and use it in our own language and culture.
In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we support the University’s overall multi-sectoral activities and create conditions for its further inspiration.”
According to Professor Tassew Weldehanna, President of AAU, when Mahteme Silassie handed over the land and the building on it he inherited from his father,to the University, it is clear that the gift was a great contribution to the efforts to preserve national knowledge and national heritage.
As mentioned by Prof Tassew, the compound covers 6,000 square metres and the campus becomes an important information center for research due consisting of more than 400,000 different documents in the library.
The new building complex was built with a cost of 75 million birr which contains several offices, training and meeting rooms, quality and adequate restrooms, cafeteria spaces that can accommodate more than 50 people at a time,ultramodern internet connection and about 30 parking lots, Prof Tassew mentioned.
“The completion of this building will not only add to the beauty of our city, but will also be a place where we can conduct research with the government.
In addition to Ethiopians, it is also a place where foreign researchers do their studies settled in the beautiful landmark of Addis Ababa,” Prof Tassew said.
As stated by Prof Tassew, AAU has completed a G+5 building comprising of 95 dormitories intended to accommodate 400 students at a cost of over 200 million birr and made it ready for inauguration at the main campus.
The building adds spacious reading area, TV watch rooms, student lounge, laundry and other associated facilities, and is intended to be fully operational in the coming school year, Prof Tassew added.
Professor Abebe Dinku, Vice President for Institutional Development, on his part said that AAU is currently carrying out about 30 new construction and maintenance projects at School of Journalism and Communication, high academic complex at the main campus, multifaceted buildings including emergency rooms at the Black Lion Hospital, etc.
“The completion of these buildings will partially alleviate the shortage of learning and research facilities. The building we have inaugurated today is part of this new construction and infrastructure expansion of AAU,” Prof Abebe stated.
Mrs. Adanech Abiebie and Professor Tassew Woldehanna together cut the ribbon for the new building constructed at the Woldemeskel campus and awarded recognition certificates to 14 scholars who have been retired form Addis Ababa University.
By: Abraham Girmay
Photo: Andualem Aseffa