Facts about Ethiopia
Ethiopia, the enthralling land of origins, is in North Eastern Africa and is home to diverse landscapes, deserts, volcanoes, highlands, and of course the famous rock-hewn churches.
Ethiopia’s unique combination of culture, deep rooted history and stunning landscape makes it one of the most intriguing places on earth. From legendary beliefs to confusing times and dates, here are some facts about Ethiopia you probably didn’t know about. First founded in 980 BC, Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa. It is also the second most populated country in Africa with a population of over 106 million people, making it second to Nigeria. Ethiopia also stands as the only African country that has never been colonized.
The time zone in Ethiopia is the East African Time (EAT). Ethiopia does not observe daylight saving time. The daytime cycle begins at dawn which is 6:00am (EAT) and ends at dusk which is 5:59pm (EAT). The night time cycle begins at dusk which is 6:00pm (EAT) and ends at dawn which is 5:59am (EAT).
It is confirmed that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia and moved around the world through slave trading and other means.There are several accounts to exactly how it was discovered. One account is that a 9th century goat herder in Ethiopia noticed how energised his goats became whenever they fed from a certain bush. This led him to try and chew the fruits from the bush. He took these fruits to a monastery and a monk threw them into the fire. The enticing aroma attracted other monks and the fruit was dissolved in hot water, yielding the world’s first cup of coffee.
When the Roman church adjusted its ancient calendar in 525 AD, Ethiopia did not change its calendar and so, Ethiopia is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar. Ethiopia celebrated the new millennium on 11th September, 2007. Ethiopia has 13 months in a year (i.e., 12 months with 30 days each and a 13th month with 5 days in a common year and 6 days in a leap year). Christmas is celebrated in Ethiopia on January 7th. The Biblical Ark of The Covenant, holding the 10 commandments is believed to be housed in a church in Ethiopia. Known as the ‘Mother Church of Ethiopia,’ St. Mary of Tsion. No one, not even the specially chosen guardian, is allowed to look to confirm if it is actually there.
Dallol in the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia holds the world’s record for the highest average temperature for an inhabited location. Its annual average temperature, recorded between 1960 and 1966 was 35°C (95°F). The average daily maximum temperature, recorded around the same period was 41°C (106°F). The Erta Ale Volcano in Ethiopia holds the longest existing lava lake, existing since 1906. Known locally as “The Gateway to Hell” because of its searingly hot temperatures, the Erta Ale Volcano derives its name from the Afar language and is translated as ‘The Smoking Mountain’. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
In terms of height above the sea level, Addis Ababa stands as the highest capital city in Africa and the fourth highest capital city in the world with an altitude of 2,335m (7,726ft) above sea level. Addis Ababa, home of the African Union, means ‘New Flower’ in Amharic. The Lalibela Rock Hewn Churches, Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Aksum, Tiya, Simien National Park, Harar Jugol (the fortified historic town), Lower Valley of the Omo and Fasil Ghebbi are all locations in Ethiopia that are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Ethiopia has succeeded in maintaining most of her cultural heritages and landmarks. This outstanding act has made it one of the most fascinating countries in Africa.
The candidates who are shortlisted to appear face to face interview must bring the following documents along with duly filled in application form provided in the website.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (Two copies)
- Recent passport size photos (4 numbers)
- Original Educational Certificates (with Two copies)
- Original Experience certificates (with Two copies)
- Copies of books/papers published.
- Original Passport (with Two copies)
- Original photo Identity (any ID Proof with Two copies)
Application Procedure
Interested candidates are requested to mail us their detailed Curriculum vitae to info@rasamrc.com
The selected candidates must get authentication of their highest degree certificates from the state government and from Ministry of External Affairs.
Salary & Perks
Salary is tax-free and will be remitted to equivalent of local currency, which can be repatriated fully every month in terms of Indian RupeesPerks: Additionally, Air tickets for spouse and children, free medical in Government Hospitals, Paid annual leave, etc. For further details mail to info@rasamrc.com for details of qualification, subject vacancies, experience, application procedure, etc.
Saving Potential
We also wish to inform you the cost of living in Ethiopia is very nominal i.e., one person can manage the monthly expenses with fair amount. Therefore the saving potential is very high.
Note: Please refer the below matter for further details regarding this recruitment. Please note that your salary & designation if selected will be intimated to you by the delegates during face to face interview or online interview. In case you accept the offer, you have to submit your original passport for visa and work permit processing. Therefore if you do not have a passport we advise you to apply for the same immediately under Tatkal as without a valid passport, the delegates may not meet you.
Date of Travel
Normally, the Ministry will give you one months’ time to travel to Ethiopia from the date you receive your provisional letter of appointment.
Travel/visa/work/resident permit: You will travel to Ethiopia in a group along with other candidates selected for the same University. Spring Placements will coordinate with the Ministry for your work visa, resident permit, travel arrangements and make sure you travel to Ethiopia without any problems.
You will be received by the University delegates at the airport in Ethiopia and they will make the necessary arrangements to take you to the University. We are also trying to arrange for someone from our end to receive you at Addis Ababa (the capital) airport and guide you.
Location of the Universities
The appointment is for one of the reputed Universities in Ethiopia and is located in a town which is connected by flight/road from the capital.
Most universities are well located in cities where all facilities are available.
Contract duration and vacation
The contract is for two academic years and is renewable. You get paid annual vacation during which you can visit India at your expense. Free tickets are provided for you and your family, once in two years.
Cost of Living
For a single person, without accommodation cost, one can manage with 150 to 250 US$ for the entire month .Also since the salary is tax free and there is no limit on the repatriation amount, the saving potential is very high.
Student Community in Ethiopia
The student community in Ethiopia are large and very committed and disciplined. Therefore you will enjoy teaching them.
International Exposure
Once you work abroad this experience will help you get jobs abroad easily as international experience is considered to be a big plus point .In the near future we expect a very large and growing demand for teaching faculty all round the world.
Economy
According to the IMF, Ethiopia was one of the fastest growing economies in the world, registering over 10% economic growth from 2004 through 2009. It was the fastest-growing non-oil-dependent African economy in the years 2007 and 2008. Growth has decelerated moderately in 2012 to 7% and is projected to be 6.5% in the future – reflecting weaker external demand and an increasingly constrained environment for private sector activity.
Culture
Ethiopians have a different naming system to the family name-based Western system. Children add the given names of their father and paternal grandfather consecutively to their own given name. For compatibility purposes, as is done in passports, the grandfather’s given name is taken as a family surname, and a person’s given name and his/her father’s given name form the first name.
Everyone is addressed by his/her given name. In official situations, the prefixes Ato, also Ayte, is used for men; Weizero for married women; and Weizerit for unmarried women.
Calendar
Model commemorating the Axum Obelisk’s return to Ethiopia, which shows the date of its departure and return according to the Ethiopian calendar.
Ethiopia has several local calendars. The most widely known is the Ethiopian calendar, also known as the Ge’ez calendar. It is based on the older Alexandrian or Coptic calendar, which in turn derives from the Egyptian calendar.
Time
Time in Ethiopia is counted differently from in many Western countries. The Ethiopian day is reckoned as beginning at 6 AM as opposed to 12 AM, concurrently with sunrise throughout the year. To convert between the Ethiopian clock and Western clocks, one must add (or subtract) 6 hours to the Western time. For example, 2 AM local Addis Ababa time is called “8 at night” in Ethiopia, while 8 PM is called “2 in the evening”.
Cuisine
The best-known Ethiopian cuisine consists of various thick meat stews, known as wat in Ethiopian culture, and vegetable side dishes served atop injera, a large sourdough flatbread made of teff flour. This is not eaten with utensils, but instead one uses the injera to scoop up the entrées and side dishes. Indian restaurants are available, for instance Namaste Addis, the Indian Restaurant which serves all South Indian Cuisine.
Safety in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the safest countries in African region. There are many Indian teaching faculties working in Ethiopia for many years and some of them are with their families. We also have cases of women teaching faculty who are working in different Universities of Ethiopia. You will definitely find some Indians already working in the same University for which you are selected; therefore you will have company right from the day of your joining. In fact, Ethiopians respect Indians as most of the Ethiopian Lecturers/Professors were taught by Indian teachers at their school/colleges, when they were students.
Food
In Ethiopia Wheat, rice, vegetables and fruits, Meat, etc., are available in all places at a reasonable rate. So food will not be a problem. You can also find Indian restaurants in most cities.
Indian Embassy
There is an Indian Embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa, and they can be approached in case of any need. Another advantage is that India and Ethiopia have good diplomatic relations. Under Embassy of India, there is a forum which unites all the teaching community working at Ethiopian universities and schools named India Education Forum (IEF).
Climate
Most of the Universities have a hill station climate as they are located in the Highlands. The average temperature in the Highlands of Ethiopia is around 20 degrees centigrade.
