The Embassy has supported certain programmes at Mekelle University since 1996. The last main agreement between Norway and three universities, The Agricultural University of Norway and the Debub University and Mekelle University runs for the period 2003-2007 and with a no cost expansion into 2008, had an upper limit of appr. 45 million birr. The main purpose of the cooperation was to perform research on certain environment and climatically oriented issues and to upgrade capacity and knowledge at the Ethiopian Universities. The last regular annual meeting, held last November, agreed to a new period of cooperation, now in the planning phase. One last disbursement on the current contract was released early 2008.
Furthermore, the Embassy has supported the Faculty of Law of Mekelle University to conduct summer judicial training of woreda level in Tigray judges since 2002. The successful candidates will be holders of degrees in law. Also the Faculty of Law is asking for an extension of the co-operation for another two years as the need for in-service training for lower court judges is still urgent. The training of Judges has altogether been granted about 5 million birr from the starting date in 2002. Out of this appr. 1 million birr will be released in 2008.
The Embassy also has a third funding to Mekelle University on outreach programmes through agreement with the Norwegian NGO the Development Fund (DF). The main objectives are rural development and women's rights in cooperation with REST and Mekelle University. The total funding to REST and Mekelle University through DF for the period 2005-2008 amounts to appr. 70 million birr.
The Delegation visited Mekelle University, seen by president Dr. Mitiku Haile, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Tsegeya Birhane, coordinator Araya Kebede and partly by Hon. Dr. Haile, who is the President of the Supreme Court and involved with the legal training.The delegation further undertook and field visit to Wukro; a Programme area for Relief Society of Tigray (REST). Dr. Mulugeta Berhanu, Head, Environmental Rehabilitation and Agricultural Development Department of REST, and Mr. Teswai Project leader of Wukro woreda provided information at the visit.
The focus for the visit was on interventions on agriculture and water usage and how to rebuilt land damaged by sudden torrential rainfalls. The project had been constructed in accordance with advice from India. The ideas were further developed by REST and Mekelle University to fit the Ethiopian system of terracing and building of dams. The specific new intervention was a system of slowing down the speed of the water so that the slamming was left inside “traps” made by concrete of riverbed stones heaped in walls surrounded by strong steel wire nets. The group also visited drip –watering system, where a simple “bicycle-pump” brought the water up from a well, and the people used it for watering near by planted fields.
The delegation also undertook a field visit to Aba Hala, Afar region. Mekelle University and DF project. Ato Solomon, head of Afar Integrated Development Pastoralist Programme was presenting the overall programme. Mr.Hussein Ahmed, co-ordinator at Aba Hala, was interviewed in his office. The research project was funded by the DF in with the Mekelle University. It included irrigation programmes, water reticulation, animal health and income generating activities.
Finally the delegation attended the opening of the 6th Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT) Congress.
Every 3 year they have a congress including guests from other women associations in other parts of Ethiopia. In the addresses it was stated that the women had gained much, but that there was still a lot to do before they could say they had reached the goal of equal opportunities between the sexes. The visitors from other association said they could learn much from the Tigray women, and that they wanted closer contact.