10th Annual National Seminar

The Humanities Faculty, BDU holds the 10th Annual National Seminar on the theme “Engaging minds, transforming society: the impact of language, culture and media” at Peda Campus.

In his remarks, the Dean of the faculty, Dr. Waltenigus Mekonnen, noted that the faculty is one of the pioneers in the university. In his speech he emphasized that annual research conferences are of great importance in connecting different scholars from various institutions to exchange ideas. The Dean added that as the theme of the workshop indicates, language, culture and communication are the chains that connect the community and the papers presented center this fact.

Dr. Zewdu Emiru, the Vice President for Information and Strategy communication, in his opening speech at the workshop said a veteran and now a research university, BDU is carrying out many research works. Dr. Zewdu also explained that the workshops held at different times are tools to demonstrate that the university is a source of knowledge and serve as platforms to connect with other institutes for exchange of ideas and technology transfer.

Also, since today's workshop revolves around language, culture and communication with which the university interacts with the society, discussing about these issues is vital.

The guest of honor of the day and the famous poet, author, teacher and researcher Dr. Bedilu Waqjira delivered the key message of the workshop. Focusing on the topic: Engaging minds, transforming society: the impact of language, culture and media, Dr. Bedilu enquired as to what is being done in building a generation by comparing the past and the present.

While the current generation, according to Dr. Bedilu, has entirely changed its the cultural, traditional and national societal interaction with the modern digital communication which it is exposed to. There lies a huge responsibility to avoiding this hovering danger. To this effect the speaker suggests curriculum change. Dr. Bedlu stated that one of the indicators that enforce the change of an education system is whether the education given gives meaning to the student, the teacher and the parents and sketches the future identity.

In the seminar, where senior officials of the university, researchers, teachers, admin staff and students attended, more than 15 research papers were presented.