3rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture Series on Environment, Development and Society

Flyer for 3rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture Series on Environment, Development and Society.
Copyright: Micro Business College, Ambo, Ethiopia. Design: Sivakumar K.P.

We take the privilege of informing our dear readers that the 3^rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture on Environment, Development and Society would be held at 9am on Wednesday the 18^th of February 2015 (11 Yekatit 2007, Ethiopian Calendar) at our Ambo Campus.

Speaker: Her Excellency Catherine Muigai Mwangi, Ambassador of Kenya to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, IGAD and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Topic: African Union and Women Empowerment: Trials and Triumphs

Whoever find it convenient may please bless us with their valued presence. Please feel free to use the flyer given above. 

Why is Ethiopian Christmas on 7th January?

Ethiopian Christmas (Ganna) is on 7th of January because Ethiopia follows Julian calendar. Julius Caesar introduced Julian calendar in 46 BC, having 365 days. Every fourth year would have 366 days. 

In due course, Gregorian calendar became popular, but not among Orthodox Churches of Ethiopia.

- Obtained from January 2015 issue of Micro Voice monthly newsletter. 

Source courtesy: www.whychristmas.com 

Basil Bernstein's wisdom

Dear reader,

Education is one of the spheres where the process of communication gets foremost importance. A doctor’s jargon should not be digestible for a farmer. A farmer’s language and gestures should not be understandable for a lawyer. 

There is an interesting study by renowned British Sociologist, Basil Bernstein (1925-2000) which is still referred by the educationists. He studied two groups of children, one coming from middle class and the other from working class. The observation was that the children of the middle class families used words lavishly to narrate an incident, whereas children from the working class households used lesser words. This, to Bernstein was due to the difference in family contexts. When the middle-class practices lot of speech and communication at their homes, there was lesser communication and talk back at working class families. 

The point underlined was that when our classrooms and syllabi adopt communication strategies, we should also think about the profile of our students who are going to receive it.

Let us do not forget that students come from different backgrounds and demand a universally understandable mode of communication. Whatever be the medium of teaching, let’s ensure that it lives to the idea gifted by scholars like Bernstein. 

Wishing you successful communication always, 

Abera Tilahun

- Editorial for February 2015 issue of Micro Voice monthly newsletter

A slogan that worked magic in their lives

Micro Business College's alumni adorn coveted positions in many reputed organizations 

Addis Ababa: “Hojjechaa Barachuu, Barachaa Hojjechuu” is a slogan conceived by the founder and President of Micro Business College (MBC), Mr. Abera Tilahun. Meaning, ‘Work while you learn and learn while you work”, this was adopted as the catchphrase of the college just to encourage and inspire many of its students who were doing education, simultaneously helping their family in agriculture. And it worked. 

For example, students, like Mr. Ayale Likuma and Mr. Shimelis Wakgari could receive huge motivation from the slogan, which helped them to be self-standing and hard working.

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun with his former student, Mr. Ayele Likuma who is currently Assistant Branch Manager with Awash International Bank in Addis Ababa. Photo: SIVAKUMAR K.P.

  

Mr. Ayale Likuma, currently working as Assistant Branch Manager with Awash International Bank worked as photographer while studying Accountancy at the MBC. He purchased a camera worth Birr 600 and offered photographic service to the needy, during free time. Recently he was awarded with a certificate of appreciation by the bank for his exceptional performance. At his posh office, showing a stack of certificates he has obtained, Mr. Ayele points proudly to the one he first obtained from MBC. 

Former student of Micro Business College, Mr. Shimelis Wakgari who is currently Customer Service Manager with Oromia International Bank in Addis Ababa. Photo: SIVAKUMAR K.P.

Another alumnus, Mr. Shimelis Wakgari cannot forget helping his family in farming. Now he is adorning a responsible position with the Oromia International Bank as Customer Service Manager. Virtues obtained from MBC continue to pursue him to be sincere to the bank’s customers. 

- From February 2015 issue of Micro Voice monthly newsletter.

Republic Day Celebration

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun with Ambassador of India, Mr. Sanjay Verma and Mrs. Sangeeta Verma at a Luncheon Reception offered by the Embassy of India in Addis Ababa on 23rd January in connection with India’s 66th Republic Day. 

Photo: SIVAKUMAR K.P.

Why is it so?

Places nearer to the equater are better for rocket launch. This is because, at such places, due to earth’s rotation, rockets get enormous push of 1700km/hr, saving considerable fuel and budget.  

Source: http://www.pzzls.com, Reproduced from February 2015 issue of Micro Voice Monthly Newsletter of Micro Business College. 

Cheerful farewell

Cheerful farewell: Outgoing Dean of the Micro Business College, Mr. Dereje Bekele (left) receives a memento from President of the college, Mr. Abera Tilahun at a farewell ceremony held at the college on 24th of January. Photo: TESHALE CHALUMA