Network Ethiopia
Prof. Dr. Saba Amsalu Teserra
From the objectives and goals IODC has outlined I have learned that I could contribute to the objectives of the organization by using my skills in particular in my home country (Ethiopia). I just finished my PhD work in Computational Linguistics at the University of Bielefeld and have BSc and MScIn Chemical Engineering and Information Science respectively.
Beginning from Augustto December 2007 I have been invited as a visting assistant professor in Georgia Institute of Technology. My motivations for joining IODC stems from my desire to serve my country in aspectsof research and development. In particular, the need for an organized research team thatcan work on developing methods of processing information using modern technology forthe benefit of society in accessing essential information on health, education, agriculture etc. as well us organizing and financing work groups in development of basic resourcesfor the livelihood of communities. To mention some practical examples of what is in my vision:
1. Health education: Much of the illnesses and diseases that people die of or suffer fromin Africa including Ethiopia are from preventable diseases. The provision of peoplewith education on hygiene and healthy dietary would by far reduce the hardship ofpeople.
2. Garden vegetables: In the small village I grew up there is a river that flows across thevillage which the villagers use for washing clothes. I have never seen them using it to grow garden vegetables such as carrots, cabbages, potatoes etc. It is not hard toimagine how such things that look so small could change the ways of life of people.
3. Solar energy: The ever getting worse deforestation and spread of desertification hascosted many their likelihoods. With it, energy sources are depleted and getting more and more expensive. Simple efforts such as planting one tree per person peryear may change that for the better. Replacement of fire wood with solar energy incountries where the sun shines every day looks like an ideal solution. Of course initialcosts are not affordable for local people but with an external help this conditionscould change.
These and other facts that include the disorder in many aspects of social and economicsituations of Ethiopia is haunting for any one with conscience.
Ethiopia
