Background
The Department of Animal Health was officially established lately in 2002 after the former Kombolcha Agricultural Training Center is transformed to a college level starting its training with three major departments (Natural Resource Management, Animal Science and Plant Science) and one Supportive department (The Department of Basic Science and Supportive Courses). By then, the department was offering trainings in middle-level diploma program to development agents drawn from all woredas of the Amhara Region. Lately, however, the launching of a degree level program in affiliation with Wollo University necessitated the importance of upgrading and re-organizing the department either materially and/or in its human-resource to produce competent graduates that fulfill the gap for skilled animal science and animal production experts in the region where livestock is an integral part of the major agricultural practice.
The primary educational goal of Animal Science Department is to equip and prepare students with contemporary knowledge and technological advances regarding productive animal production so as to meet the demands of trained man power for the agricultural sector.the department also strives for an increase in animal production where quality remains nonnegotiable It also looks for the betterment of the lives of agro-pastoralists of the region in particular and the country in general through practical interventions to be extended by the trainees of the department. In this regard, much effort has been exerted particularly in areas of bee-keeping, livestock, animal feed, fattening and dairy development both at campus level and in the farms/ demo-sites of the college. The situation is believed to strengthen the education and training offered by the department on remarkable practical grounds. Kombolcha town, being designated as a livestock and milk shed intervention area, a lot is expected from the department in sharing its experience and technical assistance to the surrounding community. . the department is also working hand –in – hand with the department of Animal health in a joint effort to ensure quantity and quality of live-animals and their commodities, in keeping animals healthy and their products safe and vivacious as per the growing needs of the community at large.
In addition to its teaching and training, the department also provides an outreach technical support and consultancy services regarding livestock production & animal health problems, provides community services in animal husbandry practices and conducts various researches aimed at enhancing livestock productivity. Its strong tie with the surrounding private farms, NGO’s and local farmers has helped much in providing practical experience for our students.
Programs in Animal Science Department
Currently, the department is engaged in training and educating students in two modes of trainings (degree and level based) and two modes of admission (regular and extension) programs.
Under the regular program,
Under the extension program,
A level-based extension program (Level I –Level IV) has also been admitting students in Animal Production (AP) .This level based extension program is currently run by the college. And will be further expanded in response to the ever increasing societal demands for the training which will be effective upon accreditation is obtained from pertinent bodies.
