Director, Field and Laboratory-Workshops Directorate

Legesse Tadesse (PhD)

Dear Colleagues, as Director of the Field and Laboratory-Workshops Directorate, I am writing to you today with a sense of both excitement and purpose. We are embarking on a transformative journey – a ten-year mission to establish Dire Dawa University as the premier applied science institution in Ethiopia, renowned for its practical skills development, impactful field education, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and, most importantly, its highly skilled and dedicated human resources.

Our vision is clear: to create a university where theory seamlessly merges with practice, empowering our students to become innovative problem-solvers and leaders in their respective fields. This ambition requires a concerted effort from each and every one of us – faculty, staff, students, and administrators alike.

We will revolutionize our curriculum to emphasize hands-on learning, practical exercises, and real-world projects. This requires investing in updated equipment, advanced technologies, and innovative teaching methodologies that foster critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. We will also forge strong partnerships with industries, government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations to create diverse and impactful field education experiences. These placements will provide our students with invaluable opportunities to apply their knowledge, develop professional skills, and contribute to the development of our nation.

The directorate give due attention and committed to building and maintaining state-of-the-art laboratories, workshops, and field facilities that meet international standards. This includes investing in cutting-edge equipment, creating safe and inspiring learning environments, and ensuring sustainable practices. From Human resource perspective we recognizing that our greatest asset is our people, we will invest in the training and development of our faculty, staff and the community around the University in particular and the external stallholders at large. This includes providing opportunities for continuous professional development, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, and attracting top talent from across the country.

To achieve these ambitious goals, we need your active participation and unwavering commitment. I encourage you to: insights and expertise to develop cutting-edge programs and facilities; to experimenting with new approaches to enhance the learning experience; to create valuable field education opportunities; mentor and inspire our students and seek opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, and contribute to the ongoing development of our university. 

The journey ahead will not be easy. It will require dedication, perseverance, and a shared belief in the transformative power of applied science education. However, by working together, we can create a university that not only provides our students with a world-class education, but also contributes significantly to the economic and social development of Ethiopia. Let us embrace this challenge with enthusiasm and determination. Let us build the future of applied science at Dire Dawa University, together.

DDU Field and laboratory workshop directorate

The Field and Laboratory/Workshop Directorate  in Dire Dawa University plays a crucial role in supporting hands-on learning, research, and practical application across the diverse colleges and institutes within the  to be Applied Science University, encompassing Social Sciences, Natural and computational Sciences, business and economics, Medicine, and Institute of Technology. Its primary responsibility is to ensure the availability, safety, and efficient management of field resources, laboratories, and workshops, facilitating high-quality education and applied research. It act as central hub for all practical learning and research resources, ensuring to support the university's mission of academic excellence and impactful research across all disciplines. The Directorate fosters a culture of safety, innovation, and collaboration, enabling the university to produce highly skilled graduates and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge in the applied sciences perspectives. Now a day the government give due attention to establish this directorate with  director, field education/internship and laboratory-workshop main coordinators primarily focuses on  laboratory and workshop management processes, improving infrastructure, Human resources  and other laboratory and workshop input.to support teaching learning and practical education and research. The goal of Dire Dawa University in general is to evolve as Applied Science University and autonomous with a competitive national and international quality and relevance standards in its academic, research and community services endeavors. The university should devote much of its resources and time to achieve these goals. Dire Dawa University has more than 71 laboratories and four workshops. These laboratories and workshops are owned by colleges, schools, departments and centrally supervised and supported by the directorate office. The office’s contribution could be observed from the following viewpoints.

 1. Teaching-Learning Activity

Most of the laboratories and workshops supported and oversee by the directorate office to provide conducive and satisfactory services for the academic staffs, researchers, students, and other stakeholders of the University. .

2.  Research Activity

Many researchers and other academic staffs, under graduate and post graduate students, and other stakeholders of the university have involved in various research projects to solve the problems of the community and the country at large. These could be achieved through equipped and conducive working laboratories and workshops. In light of these conditions, the office is working towards fulfilling the needed facilities and resources of the laboratories and workshops of the university.

3.  Community Service Based Activity

Organizing and providing a community service is another goal of the university. This can be carried out through skill building training, problem solving research activities and workshops. Accordingly, the office could, facilitate, and provide many laboratory and workshops based trainings and services which have benefits the communities inside and outside the university.

4.  Field Education

The Field Education organized field Coordination Office plays a pivotal role to develop, manage, and oversee the field education program, ensuring that students gain valuable, practical experience that complements their academic studies and prepares them for successful careers in their chosen fields. The main coordinators role is crucial in bridging the gap between theory and practice. The office are responsible for connecting students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities, supporting their growth and development, and ensuring the overall quality and effectiveness of the program. The field trip also bridge the gap between the university and the wider community, building strong partnerships that benefit both students and the organizations they serve through industry university linkage.

5.  Current Infrastructure

Dire Dawa University currently boasts more than 41 laboratories, 4 workshops, and over 30 computer laboratories. These laboratories and workshops are authorized by their respective colleges, schools or departments. They provide to BSc/MSc students, researchers, and external customers, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, showcasing the breadth of services and outreach.

Director Field and laboratory-workshop (FALD) director is responsible to follow up engagements of the university laboratories Field education, laboratories and workshops technical operation and supervision. Moreover, the director is charged with defining appropriate rules and effective utilization of laboratory and workshop resources with

quality services to the students and others stakeholders. The director encourages ownership, responsibility and safe use of laboratories and workshops, ratify policies and guidelines. The director is responsible for the establishing and monitoring of a comprehensive program utilization and management of good field education, laboratory and workshop practices.