On September 7, 2009 the Eritrean Institute of Technology and College of Arts and Sciences graduated more than 1600 students in degree and diploma.

Representing the chancellor of Higher Educational Institutions, President Isaias Afwerki, the Minister of Education Mr. Semere Rusom, said the Government of Eritrea is putting the education sector as a top priority in nation building. As education plays a pivotal role in other sectors, the Government is making substantial investment through expanding institutions of higher learning. He further called on the graduates to make due contribution in efforts to build a strong and prosperous nation.

Dr. Ghebrebrhan Ogbazghi, vice president of academic affairs of the EIT says, the existence of young generation, armed with relevant education and up-to-date information is one the prior responsibilities of the Government. That is, therefore, the reason why the Government of Eritrea has been devoting much of its resources towards the provision of establishing of colleges and vocational centers. Eritrean Institute of Technology, as a segment of that higher institution, so far has graduated a number of students and provided them to the labor market.

On his part, Dr. Ogbaghberiel Beraki, Dean of the college of Arts and Sciences, said that the new college located in Adi Keyih is ideally situated in a place where students can experience the historical and archeological riches of the country first hand. There for, this will help them to enrich their theoretical lessons with practical exercises. Also, the terrain, scenic landscapes, good weather and other factors are favorable for those studying in liberal arts, he added.

The universally significant historical ruins of Qohaito , Toconda and Belew Kelew lie near Adi Keyih, a city 110 kilometers southeast of Asmara.

“All this factors make the college’s location a natural laboratory,” added Dr. Ogbaghebriel.

The location of a college in a certain place has an added advantage in the teaching and learning process, agreed Mr. Semere Amlesom, Dean, Hamelmalo College of Agriculture. The location in itself helps students to carry out practical exercises and conduct academic researches on their specific fields. For instance, “College of Hamelmalo, located in a rural environment adjoining the Anseba River basin, is suitable for agricultural researches, conducting field studies and trainings.”

Established in 2004, the college of Arts and Social Sciences in Adi Keyih is near completion and it is expected to commence its service in about mid 2010.

The College of Arts and Sciences which is temporarily located in the EIT, begun its services in 3 degree and 2 diploma programs. Now, however, its activities expanded to 7 degree and 2 diploma programs. Law program is going to open soon. From the total of 287 graduates of this college, about 60 % of them are females.

“In line with the efforts being exerting, GIS facilities, Journalism lab, English language lab, Special lab for the physically disadvantaged students are being established on the new campus,” Dr. Ogbagebriel pointed out.

At this year’s second commencement event, the EIT graduated a total of 1, 324 students in 9 degree and 17 diploma programs from College of Engineering and Technology, College of Science and College of Education.

The institute located 20 km south west of Asmara, began its services with about 5,500 students during the 2003-2004 academic year.

Present at the ceremony were ministers, army commanders, regional administrators, religious leaders, invited guests and families of the graduates.