Case stories – Climate SABC

Kidist Teshome (MSc)

My name is Kidist Teshome and I am graduated from ACE Climate SABC, Haramaya University, in Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management.

I was one of the students who have long experience in the Haramaya University that has eased my stay at African Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation. It was so easy for me since I am familiar with the academic culture of the University.

I have a good relationship with regional students. As you know, Ethiopians are very famous in accommodating guests and we have no competent in this respect.

Though challenges are natural in academic life, success is inevitable. Hardworking, patience and determinations have helped me to succeed. I didn’t give up to accomplish the things I had planned even under hardships.

I don’t forget one of the problems I encountered during my research endeavor on the fieldwork. That was while I was collecting my data, I missed my way to the destination. Some individuals have mistakenly shown me the wrong direction, luckily, the matter has been resolved wisely at the end.

Therefore, as an ecologist, I advise female researchers not lose their confidence when encountering similar incidences. In addition, the community should provide necessary supports and guidance for female researchers travelling to their places for fieldworks.

Finally, I would like to suggest to female students to be more confident and believe in hard work to become successful in their course work and research projects. I also advise them not to let others to bring them down. Thank You!!!

Violah Kishoine (MSc)

My name is Violah Kishoin, a Kenyan by nationality. Before joining Haramaya university in November 2018, I had graduated from Egerton university with a Bachelor of science degree in environmental science in 2014. And afterwards, I worked in a couple of non-governmental organizations, my latest work place was at Village Enterprise. I am passionate about environmental conservation and I hope to be among the thought leaders in this field as we seek to achieve sustainable development.

Here in the Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, I studied Masters in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management. I got a warm welcome when I got here and this made me feel at home and be ready to embark on the journey of learning at Haramaya University. Haramaya University is known to be among the best agricultural universities in the horn of Africa. That was exciting to get trained in the best institutions. Haramaya University provides a good environment for learning as it is well equipped with resources. For instance, the post-graduate library has up-to date books and hence as students, we were always in touch with what is happening. Similarly, the internet coverage is everywhere in the campus and this makes it easy to do assignments or online related research activities. Haramaya University has also a very beautiful environments with well-maintained Lawns and Trees. This made my evening walks very consistent as the beautiful scenery acted as a good motivation.

My learning experience in Ethiopia has been one of a kind and I can best describe it as an experience with a few challenges but full of connection and fulfilment. Particularly, learning here, presented a good opportunity to interact with students and lecturers from different countries. These interactions have been so enriching and eye opener, as we got to share learning from our different perspectives.

Cultural barrier did not affect my learning in any way. This is majorly because we got an opportunity to be trained by some of the most seasoned instructors and they used an integrative approach to deliver their contents. That way, most of the things became relatable, and I didn’t at any point in time, felt out in the conversations and/or discussions.

In Ethiopia, particularly in Eastern Ethiopia where I have been based, the people are very welcoming and warm. I can gladly say I found a family within this community of lovely people. I will forever treasure the moments my classmates and/or instructors would invite us to their home to enjoy chicken stew (DOROWAT). This was so special to me.

The whole of this master’s program i.e. both class and research work have been both challenging and fulfilling at the same time. Challenging in the sense that I was expected to learn and grasp of the new concepts. This made the learning very fulfilling because I had to have an open mind and willingness to learn all the time. My lecturers also made my learning easier because they mostly delivered their contents hands on. For example, some technical course units such as statistics and ecological modeling were made “easy” to grasp because we learnt by doing them. Additionally, doing assessments and presenting them in class made sure we understood the different concepts taught in class and also built our public speaking skills.

Coming to my research experience, the field data collection presented an opportunity of implementing what I learnt in class in the practical field setting. Data collection exercise is very challenging and it needs a lot of hard work and overcoming so many obstacles. My research experience was a roller coaster full of ups and downs. The experience inculcated in me, the value of patience and persistence. Some of the challenges during my research included unfavorable weather, lock down due to COVID-19 and lack of cooperation from some local administration authorities. Regarding to challenges posed by unfavorable weather, I organized by data collection schedule such that I would go to the field very early in the morning, and avoid day time when the sun was too hot. Similarly, I had to get clearance from all the relevant authorities to ensure smooth data collection.

One of my biggest achievements is the fact that I have finally graduated amidst all the challenges encountered on my way. Living in a totally different country means adjusting to everything, the weather conditions, learning the culture, language and getting used to eating the local food. Nothing prepared me to getting used to all those experiences, but having an open mind helped me to cope with everything I needed to.

I would say taking a day at a time really helps in unpacking and adjusting to everything slowly. Obviously, the systems and the way things are done in my country and in Ethiopia are totally different, hence taking time to learn the systems here makes the transition a little bit easier. Learning the value of patience is very essential, somethings don’t move as first as we would wish and the best one can do is just to wait. Additionally, there are so beautiful things to learn about in Ethiopia, hence, focusing on the positives ensures that the negative energy is kept at bay.

I intend to be among the thought leaders in matters of Biodiversity conservation. And as part of contributing to solving some of the global environmental issues, my first step would be disseminating my research findings to the relevant authorities. I believe these findings would prompt actions by these authorities to develop solutions. Additionally, I intend to continue my research work because I believe finding the root causes of some problems makes it easy to bring about solutions for the problems.

Quinter Oginga (MSc)

Studied Masters of Science in Climate Smart Agriculture with the scholarship opportunity granted by the African Center of excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity conservation (ACE Climate SABC), Haramaya University. The University offers a peaceful and conducive environment for learning. The boarding facility and lecture halls provided by Haramaya University are to a good standard. Learning in Ethiopia provided me a good opportunity to experience different African cultures, languages and lifestyles. I did not experience any cultural barrier that would have affected my learning experience during the two years.

The different cultures have, of course, enhanced my learning opportunities from different Professors who have been joining the Center from national, regional and international institutions. Course delivery by faculty members from Haramaya University, universities in and out of Africa provided enriching learning packages. The courses were well delivered and assessed. Field trips, group works, and presentations were common methods of learning and the lessons I learnt. Also, valuable lessons learned from research experience was good organization, flexibility in implementing research activities.

The people, cultures, languages and foods were very new and interesting discoveries for me. Focusing on positive things about people, places and situations have helped me to get through challenging moments. Interacting with local people and having a good relation with staff and colleagues goes a long way in shaping a meaningful living and academic experience. For me, it was so easy interacting with different people at different levels in the Haramaya University, and now I have many friends. Generally, finishing the coursework and research within the given period of Two years is great achievement. I am now better equipped with knowledge and skills with which I can contribute to programs and policies in the field of sustainable agricultural production, food security and environment nexus not only in Kenya but also in the region.

Uwimbabazi Agnes (MSc)

Before joining ACE Climate SABC, I had pleasure to be teacher of Biology and Chemistry at Centre scholaire Nyange and female volunteer in Sabyinyo Community and Livelihood Association, where I participated in different project related to reducing the threats to fragile ecosystem, Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda. Through this opportunity, I have experienced that biodiversity is highly being threatened under changing climate in tropical regions and that a woman can play a significant role in conserving biodiversity, teaching new generation and maintaining important indigenous knowledge for sustainable biodiversity conservation for now and future generation. This initiated me to pursue a masters course in the field of natural resource management or environmental science in order to extend my significant contributions in sustainable biodiversity conservation.

Informed by my elder brother, I came to know the Center through the IUCEA scholarship call for application and I tried to apply to different universities. By chance, I was admitted and awarded a scholarship by Haramaya University and now I am finishing an MSC degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management.

Arriving at Haramaya University, I was hosted well in fully equipped hostel with full internet helping me to read materials online and being able to accomplish my school duties and I was also aided to acquire basic needs to be integrated in new life style (shopping, resident permit, sim card…,). My class acquired knowledge was supplemented through field trips in Southern part of Ethiopia and identify how people are using indigenous traditional technique in climate change mitigation and adaption. As a high school teach who need to became a lecture in university, I have got a model of Student Centered Learning Methodology acquired from Ethiopian and abroad lecturers from different countries like USA, South Africa and India.

The first challenge to me was the hot and dry weather conditions causing water shortage. The language barrier outside the university during shopping time is another challenge, but the adaptation was quick due to the aid of good and hospitable Ethiopian people. My adaptation to Ethiopian food was not easy, however, I had enjoyed it. Interaction with other Haramaya university students especially undergraduates was poor due to language barriers as Amharic and Afan Oromo are dear to them.

After my study completion, I would like to be a lecturer in university. Using acquired knowledge, skills and experience, I hope I will provide a better education to students. Also, as a member of Sabyinyo Community and Livelihood Association, I will increase my contributions in writing more grant winning proposal and project related biodiversity conservation for local peoples’ better livelihood. My happiness extends my imagination because being a woman, I always dream to be. I wish also to continue my studies until I will become a professor, the limit is the sky.

I am thankful to Almighty God, ACE Climate SABC management team, lecturer and classmates for your support during my stay at ACE Climate SABC/ Haramaya University.

Home » Case stories

Kidist Teshome (MSc)

Violah Kishoine (MSc)

Quinter Oginga (MSc)

Uwimbabazi Agnes (MSc)