Africa-Press – Eritrea. Professor Gebreberhan Ukbazghi, who has a PhD in Geophysics from Toulon University, studies the geophysics of Eritrea and surrounding places, with focus on earthquakes and volcanoes. He has done research in different settings, at home and abroad, including Toulon University, Kyoto and Botswana.
Professor Gebreberhan studied Electrical Engineering at Addis Ababa University for his first degree, and Signal Processing and Computers at Nice University, France, for his master’s degree.
Over the years, Professor Gebreberhan has had experience working in a variety of capacities. He worked as a radio technician at Ethiopian telecommunication, a graduate assistant at the Geophysics Observatory in Addis Ababa University, a professor at the University of Asmara and vice-president of Eritrea Institute of Technology at Mai Nefhi.
Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. How would you explain the earthquake we have recently experienced in our country?
The earthquake in the south west, in Buri peninsula, with a magnitude of 4.0 was followed by almost seven aftershocks. What makes it a bit worrying is its occurrence in an area of volcanoes. Though the volcanoes are dormant now, they could be activated by the earthquakes.
Can earthquakes be predicted?
We can do so based on the after effects of earthquakes. And we can minimize their effects by building infrastructures that can withstand maximum tremors. To be able to do this, studies should be intensified to know the maximum tremors that can occur in every part of the country.
What are the features of an earthquake?
It differs from place to place. For instance, most of the time the earthquakes in our region occur 30 km below sea level while in other places they may occur in depths that reach 700 km.
Earthquakes disrupt the earth, and, through their intensity, they destroy buildings and cause loss of many lives and properties.
Tell us about your invention that is being used in the whole world.
My first work started with repairing an oscillator of an electronic watch that is used to record the magnitude of earthquakes. We had only one recorder of 60Hz from the USA and others from Europe with capacity that is not more than 50Hz. Through digital means, I was able to invent an electronic watch that can record to 60 Hz, thus making the equipment more efficient. I had the study published in “Electrical Engineering,” a UK journal.
My biggest invention is the “meteorology radar”. It consists in disposing the 300.000 ampere of electrical flow caused by the equatorial ejection in the countries found in the belt of the equator. It was found to be useful and is used in the whole world.
What is the importance of doing research before starting a project?
A project that’s not accompanied with a careful process and its necessary demand, for me, is like welcoming complexity with a wide open arm.
What does it take to be an inventor?
An invention is the result of efforts we put in solving a given problem. Therefore, it requires keenness in addressing and solving the problem in an appropriate way. We can measure its benefits in three layers– success of the project, cost of its success and its continuity. If it is very well studied, the probability of its success is high, its cost is low and its continuity is assured.
How can a person, particularly someone young, build their knowledge?
They should never quit studying. They should always focus on self-teaching and developing.
What do you believe is the role of society?
The youth are essential to build a prosperous country. As a society, we should sympathize with and help one another. The society should focus on fostering a healthy generation, and parents, in particular, should set good example themselves as an apple never falls far from the tree.
Having taught at universities for 45 years, what would you say makes a student successful?
Though there is no definite means to be ‘a successful person,’ I personally think that if I have used my opportunities wisely I believe that I would turn better. Thus, I would suggest to the youth to never cease studying and to know what it is that they want to be and fight hard for it. They should be wise in managing their time and be open to new experiences. I suggest to the young to build themselves with education and discipline.
Thank you for your time, Professor Gebreberhan.
Source: Eritrea Ministry Of Information
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