BY TEWODROS KASSA
There are several ways where countries show their greatness to others. This could be in the form of art, science or technology. In addition to referring historical books as a witness for their greatness, nations that were great in the remote past are seen echoing the deeds of their forefathers through the form of technological innovations; they are seen reincarnating the ancient civilization through the means of technology, art or other means. Ethiopia was among those ancient countries with great civilization. However now, after centuries of ups and downs the nation has revived and started the journey of renaissance and fruits of greatness are seen all over the nation. The mega projects, promoting and investing in technology are areas where nation`s renaissance is being witnessed. What is more, the recently inaugurated science museum is another indication of Ethiopia`s renaissance.
The newly constructed Ethiopian Science and Art Museum has gained a greater attention from everyone. Different experts are witnessing that the museum has become a great milestone for promoting the country’s economic growth endeavours towards a better position.
This week, the Ethiopian science museum was inaugurated and hosted the first Pan Africon Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2022 workshop and exhibition from October 04-05, 2022. The primary vision of the Pan Africon AI 2022 workshop and exhibition is to create favorable employment and start-up businesses and activities in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
During the workshop, the contributions of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health, agriculture, finance, manufacturing, transport and other service sectors have been presented and discussed widely. Newly developed products by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute were also displayed.
Tourism experts said that the accomplishment of such a mega science museum will attract numerous local and international tourists. More importantly, it will ignite science tourism to Ethiopia by promoting its capacity to host various science exhibitions and workshops.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) inaugurated the Science Museum, a modern building specifically designed to serve as a science museum since last Tuesday. The Science Museum which covers an area of over 6.78 hectares of land in the heart of Addis Ababa around the National Palace has two huge buildings. The largest building is laid on an area of more than 15,000 square meters and the total width is about 132 meters.
The museum has permanent and temporary exhibitions that would serve to display noble inventions and discoveries of those kids. More importantly, the Science Museum will have innumerable scientific, social, cultural and economic benefits to Ethiopia, Africa and the world. As the museum was built in harmony with nature, it gets electricity from sunlight and the exterior of the museum is shaped like a ring and a dome.
The Prime Minister underscored that the success Ethiopia has made in technology sector in a short period of time will lay foundation for attaining digital Ethiopia a reality.
According to him, the contribution of the newly built Science Museum to realizing digital transformation in the country is immense. The Museum is also expected to lay foundation to help children grow with scientific and innovative mind, the prime minister said, noting that Ethiopia’s success being registered in the technology sector will lay foundation for making digital Ethiopia a reality.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) tweeted,“As we inaugurate the Ethiopia’s Science Museum; launch a technology exhibition and open the first Pan-African AI conference today (Tuesday October 04, 2022), all are essential for networking, learning and co-creating across the continent, as we strive to empower Africa through digital transformation.”
Moreover, Ethiopia is striving to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for achieving its development aspirations and universal benefits of its citizens. To this end, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute is fulfilling this great national responsibility. Beyond this, efforts are underway to contribute for continental development and integrate Africa via Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Recently, in her letter named “A Letter to Ethiopia” Office of the Prime Minister Press Secretariat Billene Seyoum wrote that the museum embraces state of the art human creativity and could be a tangible asset for the country.
“I walked around reviewing the Science Museum project site in Arat Kilo, passing by the dome theatre covered in silver aluminium, a feeling of awe swept upon me. In my imagination, I had fast forwarded to a time post completion at which point the theatre was filled with people, young and old, walking up the stairs and into the halls, filling the empty seats and getting ready to watch a performance or a film.
Half an hour later as I was walking through the flower gardens, a mini-soccer field and a children’s play area of the Phase 2 part of the Sheger project site, a thought that I have never experienced in my entire life crept upon me. As rain droplets lightly fell upon my face from the pregnant sky, I wished for the first time that I could be 20 again and relive you -Ethiopia- from this moment of awe and wonder.”
“I travelled your many corners, valleys and highlands. Laughed and cried with you through triumphs and upheavals, and experienced you on the ground and witnessed your vastness from above. Your diversity in flora and fauna is as mesmerizing as the diversity of your children and their talents as well as aspirations. From top to bottom and across your width and breadth, you are blessed with bounty, which your children are yet to fully recognize how immensely lucky we all are,” she noted.
Accordingly, despite the continues conspiracy of enemies home and abroad, Ethiopia will never bend from marching forward through undertaking impressive achievements in the political, social and economic affairs.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2022
