Eritrea: 8th Commencement of CASS

CASS students walk to 8th Commencement ceremony in Adi Keyih

Eritrea: 8th Commencement of CASS

By Eritrea Profile

Access to education, at all levels and for all citizens, has been among the top most priorities in Eritrea. Equitable education for all is a principle which the country has translated into a reality. Institutions of education ranging from primary through secondary and colleges of tertiary education have been flourishing in different regions of the country.

In line with the opening of new institutions of higher education, enrolment of students has been redoubled and so have the number of courses that has been offered in the colleges. It has been just 11 years since the
establishment of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS). Formerly situated at the Eritrean Institute of Technology (EIT) at Mai-Nefhi, the college moved to Adi Keyih in 2009.

While at EIT, the CASS used to offer degree courses in English, History and Geography. Journalism and Fine Arts were courses in diploma. The scope of study has now been expanded to include a total of 10
courses ranging from certificate to degree.

During the 8th commencement held on 2 July 2015, CASS had conferred first degree, diploma and certificate to 360 graduates; 205 are graduates with degree, 37 with diploma, and 118 with certificate.
Female students constitute 50% of this year’s graduating class.

Not only the number but also the quality of courses has been steadily improving since the opening of the new college at Adi Keyih, said Dr. Weldetnsaie Tewelde, Dean of the College.

CASS has been creating linkages with relevant local ministries associated with the courses being offered in the college. Present in the graduation event, designee of his Excellency Isaias Afwerki, President
of Eritrea and Chancellor of Institutions of Higher Education, Ms. Fawzia Hashim, Minister of Justice, said education is a basic social service every member of society should be equipped with so as to be competitive and active participant in all development undertakings.

Present in the graduation event, designee of his Excellency Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea and Chancellor of Institutions of Higher Education, Ms. Fawzia Hashim, Minister of Justice, said education is a
basic social service every member of society should be equipped with so as to be competitive and active participant in all development undertakings.

Indicating that Social Sciences lay firm foundation for economic progress, Minister Fawzia reminded the graduates to equip themselves with political, legal, administrative, cultural and artistic knowhow
and thereby to make positive input in changing the lives of their society.

The opening of new tertiary educational institutions has created a chance for broader participation of students including members of Defense Ministry.

Anwar Mohammed Omar is a member of the third round national service program. He has earned a degree in Applied Geography. Like many graduates, he was on cloud nine celebrating a hard won success in his
educational career. He is married and with kids, and a number of people, he said, used to criticize him for his passion in education thinking that he would not give due attention to his parenting role. He recommended that
youngsters should follow their hearts and exert needed effort to their level best.

Another graduate, Semira Yosuf studied Sociology and Social Work and earned a certificate. She said what she has learned during her stay in the college has enabled her to have a clear picture of societal livelihood.

Haben Tekle, graduate with degree in Political Science and International Relations, studied Natural Science while at the WarsayYikealo Senior Secondary School in Sawa. As an outstanding student in her secondary
education, she received a Zagre Award of Excellence. But her inclination towards Social Sciences made her shift to Political Science and International Relations in college. “Education has enabled me to be highly confident and equipped me with knowledge, and this in turn will allow me to contribute my share in the national building process,” She said.

CASS has been offering degree courses in the fields of Anthropology and Archaeology, English, Eritrean Languages and Literature, Geography, History, Law, Political Science and International Relations, as well as
Sociology and Social Works. Fine Arts and Journalism and Mass Communication are courses in Diploma. Sociology and Social Works is the only certificate program.

Access to education has been among the basic human rights provided for all nationals throughout the country. Distribution of schools all over the country has been showing remarkable progress. The number of workforce which has been deployed to different work areas has tremendously increased. Thus, institutions of higher education has been playing due role in the equipping nationals with better know-how in different specialties.

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