(October 15, 2025 – Public and International Relations)
The Department of Geology at Mekdela Amba University was established to capitalize the rich mineral resources. It has progressed beyond teaching and learning to actively engage with external stakeholders, conduct research, and provide community service. The department is fully prepared in terms of technology and human resources to carry out these activities.
The main reason mineral resources are the focus of the University is evidenced by studies indicating that the surrounding Woreda areas and the Abay valley lowlands are endowed with rich natural resources.
These natural formations are widely located within the university’s catchment area in the Woreda that lie inside it. In particular, within the Wogedi woreda, silicon is present; in Legehida woreda, iron and charcoal are found; in Borena woreda, limestone is present along the Abay valley, indicating extensive mineral potential. This has been confirmed by the university’s Department of Geology. Samples have also been prepared and stored in their laboratory.
In addition, studies indicate that Opal and Petroleum are found in Woreilu Woreda; charcoal in Mekdela Woreda; Opal in Tenta Woreda; and Granite minerals in Legambo Woreda. Mekedela Amba University is pursuing development efforts to convert these natural endowments into economic benefits.
Degife Teku, a researcher and head of the Geology Department, explained that the University management has given focused attention to this field. Based on this, petrology and mineralogy research projects are being prepared, with instruments such as an optical microscope, petro graphic microscope, engineering geology tools, and par ontology technologies to support the work.
As the department head explained, alongside teaching and learning, research and community service activities are being carried out in the surrounding woredas. A gully erosion problem in Tenta Woreda, in an area called Denek, is being addressed. Additionally, in Gimba Woreda and in Mekane Selam town, the conducted research to provide solutions for underground water proliferation stands as exemplary work.
In another way, to implement effective work by collaborating with neighboring bodies, it is planned to engage the Amhara Regional Office in research on the mining of nickel and limestone with the Muger Siminto Factory, and to proceed with work on hazards by collaborating with Semera University; and, with selected disciplines, an agreement document has been finalized to work together.
Furthermore, in discussions with Belgium University via online communication, it has been explained that joint work in geology research is possible, and an agreement has been reached to enable us to work together on geology research.
Overall, given that the environment around Mekdela Amba University is rich in untapped natural resources, it is essential to establish a framework to conduct basic research and implement developmental initiatives that yield economic benefits at each stage.
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