Mizan-Tepi University held a joint consultation forum to work collaboratively with the Supreme Court of the Government of the Southwest Ethiopia People’s Region.
Dr. Terefe Getachew, Academic Affairs v/president of Mizan-Tepi University; His Excellency Mr. Kochito G/Mariam, President of the State Supreme Court; Mr. Minda Girma, Dean of School of Law; and other senior officials of the regional Supreme Court have attended the joint consultation forum. After thorough discussions on joint and collaborative aspects of training, research, free legal aid services, and students’ action-oriented education, Operational direction was provided.
Dr.TerefeGetachew has emphasized that as one of the two institutions of higher education in the region, Mizan-Tepi university is playing its part in ensuring quality and efficient access to justice for the local community and will remain to cooperate with the regional Supreme Court in the future. The Vice President stressed that the university has the capacity and desire to provide capacity building training to judges and various judiciaries using instructors of school of law to ensure that quality and efficient justice is accessible to all citizens. He further stressed the need to work diligently with stakeholders to ensure that free legal assistance services are accessible in all areas through empowering the justice system supported by technology. In line with this Dr.Terefesaid that the university is confident in the regional Supreme Court that would provide the necessary conditions for the students of school of Law to gain action-oriented knowledge and skills.
His Excellency Mr.Kochito G/Mariam, the President of the regional Supreme Court, on his part said that knowledge gained from the university is extremely valuable; and providing brief training to judges on duty would helpa lot to ensure quality justice in the region. He urged that in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, the university to strengthen developing database and website to the Supreme Court in order to ensure a technology-driven justice delivery system, and to provide the necessary support further. The president explained the issue in detail to the participantsthat the court would do everything possible in terms of the expansion of free legal assistance services, creating a conducive environment for the students of Law to conduct their practice.
In generally all participants have raised detailed suggestions on training, research and on the provision of free legal aid services, and the practice-oriented education of students of law. It is known from the discussion forum that there is enthusiasm and a strong commitment from both institutions to work together for the common responsibility and benefit by establishing a technical team that will develop an action plan for the future act.