BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Universities are not only places where students are learning new concepts and theories. They are also places where they will be exposed to several opportunities and challenges.
Apart from learning new things, failure to understand the sociocultural values of others, bullying, becoming instruments for anti-peace elements and others are some of the challenges most students will face in higher education institutions.
As a land of several nation and nationalities, this could have been a case in Ethiopia. However, thanks to those peace loving students, the culture of tolerance is still strong in most universities. And the miniature Ethiopia is always there.
Ethiopianism is still strong in most universities and colleges. Lately, several universities are graduating their students here in Ethiopia. Hope University College is among them. During the graduation ceremony The Ethiopian Herald had a chance to interview some individuals to reflect their view about Ethiopianism beyond graduation ceremonies.
Abubeker Abu Mohammad, is a distinction student from Hope University College. He is graduated in Accounting and Finance. Abubeker believes that every Ethiopian is duty bound to protect his/her country from all forms of activities that put the nation into disruption.
According to him, learning and teaching process can only exist if there is peaceful and safe environment. As university students’ President, Abubeker had a good opportunity to share idea about Ethiopia and Ethiopianism with his friends.
He said, taking the burden of others is one of the natures of true Ethiopian. This could be expressed in several forms- either by sharing ideas or standing by the sides of that particular person in time of need.
According to him, some years he had a good result but, it was not easy for him to pay for the university college. Therefore, he asked the University College about his financial challenges and received positive response to pursue his education.
Abubeker said, Ethiopianism is supporting one another not only in times where everything looks good and perfect. It is also helping one another when things fail to go in order. “I have got the scholarship opportunity and I have successfully accomplished my class with distinction grade.
This is because I was helped by ‘Good Samaritan.’ The next thing expected from me is, supporting at least one Ethiopian who has no opportunity to pay.”
Abubeker further noted that having institutions like Hope University College has a key role in helping individuals like him. Supporting one another should not only be seen providing money. It can also be expressed in various means. “This is our age old culture.
All those traditional self-help organizations (Ekub or Eder) are good examples to this. They are unique to Ethiopia and lifted people from dust.”
University College President Dr. Terefe Feyera on his part said, Hope had been in operation in Ethiopia for the last decades supporting the needy. Hope has a philosophy of enabling individuals to catch the fish than providing the fish itself.
According to him, if there is a will there is always a way. This is one of the guiding principles of Hope. “Providing quality education enables citizens to lead a quality life. This is the motto of Hope University College. And part of Ethiopiainism. Using all available source Hope University College supports the nation directly or indirectly.”
According to him, Hope is humanitarian organization. This is not primarily affiliated with religion. Religion or other factors will exist as long as safe and peaceful Ethiopia exists. For that reason, supporting individuals should be the religion of every Ethiopian.
“When we do things focusing on humanity instead of their religion or other considerations, change is obvious. This is the philosophy of the University College. Appreciating other culture or religion should be our essence.”
Indeed, as a place where several Nation Nationalities are attending, universities represent the little Ethiopia. Every university represents a family or friends. The more S/he develops a good character, S/he can contribute a share in the peaceful performance of the great Ethiopia that lives for centuries in harmony.
The Ethiopian herald December 26/2020
