AllAfrica - The Addis Ababa University will as of September 2009 launch a new PhD program in the field of Earth Sciences, bringing to 34 the total number of PhD programs offered by the country's oldest and prestigious university.

Potential candidates for the new program are said to be academic staff at various regional universities in the country.

The move forms part of government strategy in which research is designed to match the country's national development program agenda, and the satisfaction of its users.

According to a new proposal by the Department of Earth Science, Science Faculty of the Addis Ababa University, the PhD program will consist of three sub-fields namely, Structural Geology, Geophysics and Hydrogeology.

The Department of Earth Science started at the AAU with an undergraduate program in 1956 GC.

Through this endeavor, the learning process in Earth Science will produce the high caliber man power needed and at the same time will enhance the development of macro-industry in the country, Dr Biruk Lemma, Director of Research Programs, Office of the Vice President for Graduate Studies, AAU said during a consultative workshop with Stakeholders on Friday at the Ghion Hotel.

During the workshop, detailed presentations were made by scholars from the Addis Ababa University, Geological Survey of Ethiopia, and EGMEA.

Stakeholders and professionals also commented on the draft PhD program.

"This effort of the Department of Earth Sciences again is clear demonstration of the capacity of AAU to mobilize resources in this flat globalized world and achieve the ambitious aim of training 2000 PhD and 10,000 masters holders in five years," Dr. Biruk said.

The program is hoped to play significant role in curbing shortfall in skilled manpower in the field and in reducing expense for foreign consultants.

Ethiopia has immense but untapped natural resource.