Dehai News

Mohammed Nur was an outstanding student. He won several prizes from elementary to high school. He continued his education in Asmara University and studied Journalism and Mass communication and learnt with great interest.

Mohammed got an opportunity to do his master’s in Business and Administration. He got a job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an information analyst, and afterwards he was involved in different research undertakings. Nowadays, he is working at the Ministry’s public relations unit. For two years Mohammed also worked as an English teacher in Warsay Yakalo Secondary School and he has worked on several research papers individually and in group. He is also working as a chief editor of Shebab Magazine in Afar language.

 

• -Mohammed can you introduce yourself?

Yeah, I was born in a village called Arayta in Southern Red Sea, and I stayed there till I was six years old and later we moved to Tio because my father was a teacher there. So I spent most of my childhood at the sea shores of Tio.

• -What did your childhood look like?

As I told you I used to spend most of my time at the sea shore with my friends. We used to play many kinds of games out there, hide and seek which we call “chirchir” in Tigrigna. I remember that we played hide and seek in the sea and a traditional game which is like wrestling. We used to hold a sea creature “Bedinar” in our hands and ran faster towards the sea to touch the water without immersing our head. So there were a lot of sea games which I cannot recall now, but it was such an amazing set of childhood memories.

• -What was your academic situation at school?

I started school right after independence; up to grade two I learnt in Tio. I think I was not satisfied with the education situation back then so I was begging my dad to take me to Saud Arabia or Yemen for better education. But I remember my father used to say “50 of your country is equal to 500 of another country!” Therefore he made me go to my uncle who was living in Assab city, and I learned there till 11th grade.

• -What kind of student were you then?

I think it would be good if you ask my teachers and my classmates back then! But I can say I was an outstanding student. I used to be a prize winner of first place, not only from my class but from the whole school till I finished my high school.

• -How was your interaction with your teachers and classmates?

Again, it would be better if you ask them, but I think of myself as a sociable and helpful person. I did not have any problem having good interaction with them.

• -Ok, then continue with your academic situation after high school?

Oh yeah, after I finished high school in Assab, I joined the TTI with 23 other students. We were all from Afar ethnic group. Back then TTI was in Mainefhi, so while we were learning the Ministry of Information interviewed five outstanding students who came from Assab to be hired in the Ministry. One student, Mohammed Ali, and I got the job at the radio station in Afar program. Later on, we went to Sawa for Military training, but before we went to Sawa we had a matriculation exam while we were at the Ministry of Information. So after we came back from Sawa I got my result and had a good mark which enabled me to join Asmara University.

• -What did you choose to learn? And how was it?

It is clear what I got to choose because I had the chance by the Ministry of information and started to work a little bit in that profession. So I took Journalism and Mass communication. I learnt with great interest and had an amazing experience.

• -Where did you go after your graduation?

I went to Sawa to teach English. I worked there for two years and moved to my current job in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Asmara.

• -What about the media’s job?

Media’s job, well...right now, I am a volunteer at the radio program of Afar while am working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Besides, the job I am doing in the Ministry of Foreign Affair is pretty much related with media. Additionally, at my spare time, I am working as chief editor of a Magazine which is called “Undeneyta”.

• -How did Journalism and Mass Communication influence you?

At first, I was only focusing on my education but later when I joined Asmara University and found out the department is all about “social relations”, it helped me to have good interaction with many people.

• -What was your senior paper about?

It is about the shortage of public supplies in Zoba Maekel. To prepare that research I had to visit several companies, which helped me a lot to gain new job experiences.

• -Your work?

I have been working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2008. At first I was working as information analyst but then I worked on preparing research papers. Nowadays am working in public relations.

• -What is your favorite profession from all those you have been doing?

Research!

• -What is the reason?

It’s an easy way to discover new things about every new research topic. You find many things to get one thing, and it is such an amazing experience.

• -Can you give us some ideas about the research papers you have been working on?

Without considering the research papers that I prepared at college,I had my first special paper called “Piracy on the Red sea”. It is related with the preservation of archeological sites of the Red sea. And my second research paper is entitled of “Peace keeping why is it not applicable in Darfur?”

The third is “Challenges and opportunities of 21st century on Diplomacy.” There are also other research papers that I have done individually and in group.

• -Any other different contribution in the society?

I wrote three books in Afar language, the two are collections of short stories, fairy tales and games for beginners. The third book is about “female circumcision” which deals with its consequences.

• -Are you married?

Yes, I am married and have one child.

• -In your opinion, who is a successful person?

A person who has a purpose and spends his time, potential and knowledge usefully. And there’s no doubt that he is going to achieve his goal when he focuses on using the time and potential he has properly. Things are much easier in life when he uses every opportunity he has to reach his ultimate goal.

• -So, what is your future plan?

Now, am continuing my master’s on Business Administration and am planning to complete it with a successful result.

• -Does it clash with the previous field that you took?

No, it does not. It is not difficult. In fact, it is important especially if you work at the governmental institutions because it is important to have diversified knowledge in your work.

• -We have heard about “Fiema”, what is it about?

In short, Fiema is a youth association. It is an association which works in gathering and administering the youth to participate in different activities such as summer youth programs, which we call ‘maetot’, and any kind of holiday activities within the nation.

• -Any recommendations?

I have message especially for the youths; they do not have to be dependent! We have to work hard to improve our selves, which is we do not need to wait for anyone to create opportunities to build our career. We should use the time and potential we have to create a job that we want to pursue in the future.

• -Thank you so much for your time!