Department of Biotechnology

Biotechnology is an alarmingly growing and divergent field of science and technology derived from a fusion of Biology and Technology. It involves the use of in vitro genetic manipulation and recombinant DNA technology to genetically alter plants, animals, and microbes or subsystems of any of these or isolated components from living matter for generating useful products or services. Biotechnology is a rapidly growing and cross-cutting technology that supports innovation in health, agriculture, food processing, industry, and environmental management. The tremendous agricultural, environmental, industrial, and health challenges for Ethiopia which have existed for a long time, remain the difficulty of achieving improvement in the standard of living of the population in the face of rapid population growth. Applications of cutting-edge technologies like biotechnological innovations are important to alleviate the challenges in such sectors and enhance development in the country. To realize the full potential of Biotechnology as a frontline area of research and development with an overwhelming impact on society, higher education institutions of Ethiopia are expected to produce professionals who can make the country a beneficiary of this modern science.

Adigrat University is one of the public Ethiopian Universities established in 2011 with a mission to produce skilled and competent manpower through the provision of quality education, conducting result-oriented research, and offering problem-solving community services. The University opened the Department of Biotechnology under the College of Natural and Computational Sciences in 2015 by understanding the current demands of Biotechnology as a growth engine for the country’s economy. Accordingly, the BSc program in Biotechnology aims to produce competent graduates who are well-equipped with basic knowledge and skills in Biotechnology and apply this experience fruitfully for the benefit of society in particular and the country at large. On top of this, the department strives to attain new heights in Biotechnology research, shaping Biotechnology into a premier precision tool for the future creation of wealth and ensuring social justice, especially for the welfare of the poor.

 Mission

• The mission of the department is to produce graduates who are well-equipped with knowledge and skills in Biotechnology by delivering quality teaching-learning, research, and community service engagements.

Vision

• To become a center of excellence in solving societal problems through teaching-learning, research, and community service engagements.

Objectives of the Program

General Objective

The undergraduate Biotechnology program aims at producing graduates who are well-equipped with knowledge and skills in Biotechnology to efficiently exploit the potential of this new field in improving the country‘s development in terms of economy, health, and environment.

Specific Objectives

To produce highly competent graduates:

ü who are capable of conducting operational research in biotechnological and other related  fields to solve problems regarding agriculture, health, industry, and the environment

ü who can analyze, interpret, and disseminate scientific knowledge through publications, workshops, and symposia

ü who are enthusiastic about further education and research  to improve and develop biotechnological work and related fields of study, with professional ethics in mind, and entrepreneurship potential

ü who are committed to their profession

Program Profile

The B.Sc. program in Biotechnology is a four-year study that includes theoretical knowledge and skills in basic biology, basic biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Agricultural Biotechnology (Plant Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology), Medical Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Biotechnology tools,  Nano-biotechnology, Fungal Biotechnology, and  Environmental Biotechnology.