Higher educational institutions play a great role in the development of a nation. Since 2003, seven colleges have been established in Eritrea, giving opportunity for thousands to learn.

The Hamelmalo College of Agriculture is one of the higher institutes of education in Eritrea. It graduated 472 students in degrees and diplomas for the first time on Saturday, October 11.

One of the graduates is Solomon Araya, who graduated in Agricultural Economics with very great distinction.

Talking of his background, Solomon said, “I attended elementary school at Hamid Idris Awate, junior school at Natsinet, and high school at Keih Bahri.” After completing 10th grade, he joined the Asmara Technical School, and by the year 2001 he sat for the Eritrean School Leaving Certificate Examination (ESLCE) and joined the University of Asmara.

Unfortunately, he was forced to withdraw due to family related problems. “The circumstances after I withdrew didn’t allow me to support my family as I intended to,” said Solomon. “I had to join the military for my national service.”

After some time with the military, he was readmitted to Hamelmalo College of Agriculture upon his interest. “I’ve never been happier in my life than today [graduation day],” he said. “It is a rebirth to me.”

“As a kid I always wanted to be a sports star, but as time went by, with the influence of friends, I started to read a lot and started to realize the importance of education,” Solomon said.

It was after this that he realized his potential on education. “Interest is the basic requirement in education, which makes one a perfect human being,” Solomon says. “Now that I have completed my education, my ambition is to utilize my knowledge properly in developing Eritrea, which has so many resources that need to be explored.”

Hirut Gebreslasie is another distinction diploma graduate from the Department of Animal Science. “If you have clear aim and vision, it is easy to achieve whatever you want,” she noted.

Hirut said that she observed “high competitive spirit” among the graduates during their stay in college. She also appreciated the instructors of the college for the great part they played in transmitting their knowledge to the students. “Today is the day when they [the instructors] collect their ripe fruits,” she said.

Hirut believes the graduates gathered a lot of experience from their studies. “Our theoretical classes were always supported by practical experiments, which made it easier to understand the subject matter,” she said.

As to her future plans, Hirut said she will try her best to pursue further education. “I am indebted to my people and government for the support and opportunity they gave me,” she added.

One of the instructors at Hamelmalo College of Agriculture is Mussie Gebretinsae. He said the graduates have gained enough knowledge and experience that will help them in their future endeavors.

“Here students have the opportunity to experiment theoretical classes in labs and agricultural fields,” Mussie said. “This is the highest advantage of the college.”

He also reminded the graduates of the “numerous responsibilities on their shoulders” as the nation is working hard to achieve food sustainability.

There are around 40 degree and 37 diploma programs in all the colleges across the country. These colleges, which have around 10, 000 students in total, are Hamelmalo College of Agriculture, Eritrea Institute of Technology, College of Health Sciences, College of Business and Economics, Orota School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Arts and Social Sciences, and College of Marine Sciences.