The Internet Ends Isolation for
Ethiopian Rural Research Scientists

An Interview with Sendros Demeke

by Jeff Cochrane, USAID/AfricaLink Advisor
September, 1997

AfricaLink: It's Wednesday September 10th, and I'm at the Holetta Research Center of the Institute for Agricultural Research outside of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, and I am speaking today with Sendros Demeke, a researcher here at the Institute. We're talking about how the Internet has made a difference for this Center.

AfricaLink: Mr. Demeke, could you give me an example, or tell me a little bit about how access to the Internet has made a difference for your work?

Sendros Demeke: We use Internet to get information. For example in my area of research I send inquiries to my colleagues and I get replies. And also I look for information, like references to what I am doing, to prepare proposals, or to prepare scientific papers to be published. That's how we are using it here.

AfricaLink: You gave me an example earlier this morning about an experiment that you are designing. Can you tell me a bit about how you use the Internet for that experiment?

Sendros Demeke: Actually I prepare my first draft proposal. I am working for example in cattle breeding -- dairy breeding particularly. So I prepared my proposal, and I sent that proposal to be commented by my colleagues working in this area.

AfricaLink: Where were these colleagues?

Sendros Demeke: One of my colleagues is in Wageningen --

AfricaLink: Which is where?

Sendros Demeke: Wageningen. Wageningen, Netherlands. And the other one is in Australia. So I sent it, and I got comments on that project. So that's one of the examples. I incorporated into my proposal their comments, to make it final.

AfricaLink: Well Mr. Demeke, thank you very much for speaking with me.

Sendros Demeke: Thank you.