1. Introduction

Ethiopia is committed to the equitable distribution of universities stated the Ethiopian News Agency. Salale University has been instrumental in enhancing technological development and research programs for agricultural productivity. Salale University is one of 11 universities constructed in recent years to address the development needs of communities of more rural communities in the country.

The department of Physics at Salale University was established in 2017 under the College of Natural Sciences same as other departments. Starting from its inception, it has been offering the three-year undergraduate programs with Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Physics.  In addition to the undergraduate regular program, the department has been running various duties like community service and doing research by team. And successfully, 59 undergraduate students have been graduated in 2021, BSc in physics. Based on its earlier achievements, the department is now ready to start the Master of Science (MSc) program in Physics with available local and anticipated expatriate staff. Initially, the department is planning to admit applicants based on the availability of resources, accommodation and academic staff.

Physics, as one of the fundamental sciences, is concerned with the observation, understanding and prediction of natural phenomena and the behavior of man-made systems. It deals with profound questions about the nature of the universe and with some of the most important practical, environmental and technological issues of our time. The scope of Physics is broad and encompasses mathematical and theoretical investigation, experimental observation, computing technique, technological application, material manipulation and information processing. Physics seeks simple explanations of physical phenomena based on universal principles stated in concise and powerful language of mathematics.

On the other hand, expansion of Colleges, Universities, development of Science and Technology in the country needs more second degree holders in physics. The Need assessment showed that few Universities in the country that started the second degree in Physics could not produce enough human power for ever expanding colleges and universities. As a result, the department is initiated to contribute to a great deal in fulfilling man power in Physics, which needs of educational institutions at different levels. Then, the department of Physics at Salale University established a committee of three members to develop the draft curriculum, to conduct need assessment survey and experience sharing.

Many countries in the developed world continue to increase the number of graduate students studying physics and invest in physics, which they perceive can help enhance the national benefit from the expansion of physics education at different levels. However, the participation rate in postgraduate physics education in developing countries like Ethiopia is limited, or even nonexistent until recently. Perhaps, the digital economic and social divisions between west and developing countries can be narrow down dramatically by expanding physics education and doing problem solving researches among other things. Graduates who have specialized in physics provide a unique component of the technical workforce in developed nations. With their problem-solving skills and grasp of the principles of physics, they are able to attack a wide variety of problems. A well-trained physicist is capable of moving quickly among different technical areas, particularly into areas so new that they have not yet evolved into an engineering discipline.

Physics Program at Salale University

Physics program at Salale University has been started with a four  year B.Sc. program in physics in the year 2017 E.C with an intake of 74 students  (M=30, F=44) with 4 Lecturers  (M =3, F=1) with  Master’s degree holders.  Currently, physics program consists of 18 total staff members, 2 of them are B.sc, 3 technical assistant (TA), 12 lecturers having M.Sc. degree and 1 PhD holder and 3 of them are leave to study PhD program and Currently the department have been launched master program by three specialization from the coming year(2014 E.C).

2. Mission, vision, core value and the motto of the University

Vision

• To establish a platform for the dissemination and creation of knowledge through teaching and research in Physics at various levels.
• The department of Physics aspires to be one of the leading departments among the College of Natural science in Salale University in comprehensive universities by 2017 E.C. in Ethiopia.

Mission

• To make the first stand since to 2023 from comprehensive university
• To create state of the art research laboratories which will facilitate the researchers solved problems as well as other academic institutions.

Objectives

• To create human resources with strong foundation in Physics this can be applied to wide areas in Science and Technology as well as in social case.
• To motivate students towards research in Physics as well as in interdisciplinary areas through in scientific ways.
• To carry out high quality scientific research in wide areas of Physics that may have been related with the indigenous knowledge exist in the community.
• To carry out research through collaboration with researchers of other department and the other academic institutions of Salale university abroad.
• To bring externally sponsored funds in order to strengthen laboratory facilities and support graduate and under graduate students and organize outreach activities to promote scientific culture.

Motto of the university

By compiling the mission and vision university it nominated co-creating quality.

Justice

The quality of being just righteousness, equitableness or moral rightness. Rightfulness or lawfulness as of a claim or title justness of ground or reason. The administering of deserved punishment or reward. The maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings

Academic freedom

The power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination. The power to determine action without restraint. The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.

Strategic issues

The strategic issue Salale University and physics department may have been critical focus on the following below.

1. Excellence learning and teaching process
2. Excellence research and technology transformation
3. Excellence community service
4. Excellence leadership and development institutions

Information of the Students

   Student’s Success

The department of physics strives for excellence in education at all levels. It offers students opportunities for intellectual growth and career preparation with the goal of providing every student with a positive educational experience in our classes and programs. The department is committed to contributing to an informed citizenry and, in particular, to producing the next generation of scientists.

Physical facility

The physical facilities of the department are almost reasonably suitable for academic work. Most of them have offices, computer (lap-top and desk-top) which is the minimum requirements. Those academic staff that has computer has a facility connected to the local area network and internet. The department also has seven laboratories for each stream which give service for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Seminars and Conferences

We had been presented two seminar papers since 2021and no yet conference preparations.

Research Thematic Areas

Taking into account the problems identified, experiences obtained, information reviewed from documents, research interests of the staff members, the following research thematic areas were developed.

Keeping the research gap identified, the inputs have been collected from office stakeholders and
Society, the following areas are suggested as sub-thematic areas for Physics department
1. Science and society

• Integrating indigenous knowledge and practices into scientific involvements
• Promoting science and Physics for technology
• lack of technological awareness
• Indigenous knowledge
• Promoting technology in society
• Integrating indigenous knowledge and practices into scientific interventions
• Give awareness the effect and advantage of new technology for the society
• Inadequacy of practical training in science
• Promoting technology in society
  Energy
• Lack of the usage of renewable energy
• Failure to find and use alternative energy sources.
• Alternative and renewable sources energy
• Sustainable source of energy (e.g Biogas, Biomass energy)
• Solar power
• Solar heater and solar collector
• Rural energy saving stove
• Biogas plant design and implementation
  Education
• Lack of teaching methodology
• Effects of education quality
• Lack of correlation- teaching method and curriculum
• Promotion of Science and socio-cultural heritage
• Promotion of indigenous knowledge with science
• Barrier to practical training in science fields
• Students perceive Physics as a difficult subject
• Lack of skill gap in handling Physics experiment.
  Environment and Water
• Environmental sanitation
• Management of dirty particles deforestation
• Erosion
• Management of industrial wastage
• Management of waste materials

Consultancy and Trainings

The department is giving consultancy and training on windet and Latex and handling for department of physics academic will be proposed to give the training on educational around our university arena.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Neither partnerships nor Collaborations made yet.

 Head of Departments

Name: Kefale Mekonnen, MSc material science.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone Number: +251 91 68916569/+251 924429644

Phone Number (Office):- Not provided yet.

Office: Block 005; G+1.