With magnificent launch of AMU-IUC Program, a committee comprised of South-North partners has selected 14 PhD candidates, for the first phase (2017-21) of this mega collaboration will be heading for Belgium in September 2017. All aspirants will be undergoing pre-doc and short-term courses in four Flemish universities as the next step and finally get enroll to pursue PhD courses.
AMU-IUC Program’s composite committee had conducted a comprehensive examination wherein 53 AMU staff members contested for 17 PhD vacancies. The exam was comprised of components like interview, written test, background & skill profile, research experience, language skills, etc.
In project 1: ‘Improving teaching & research process of AMU by enhancing ICT and Library,’ has had three contestants of which two (Alazar Baharu and Haileyesus Abera) got selected will be pursuing their PhD in University of Brussels.
Of Project 2: ‘Living with uncertainty: Analyzing rural livelihood and rethinking sustainability in the Southern Ethiopian Rift Valley,’ 16 contested in three categories i.e. livelihood strategies, agricultural growth and anthropological study of which only three were selected; Ashenafi Duguma, Tilahun Habtamu and Eshetu Ewnetu will go to KU Leuven.
Of Project 3: ‘Improving maternal and child health in the Southern Rift Valley,’ three made it to the list of 8 contestants, are Behailu Merdekios in cutaneous leshimaniasis, Mekdes Kondale, maternal health nutrition and Befikadu Tariku for child nutrition.
In Project 4: ‘Reducing land degradation through sustainable rural land use,’ had 15 vying for PhD positions of which three were successful are Tizita Endale, Liuelsegead Belayneh and Alemeyehu Kasay might opt any of three Flemish universities for their studies.
In Project 6: ‘Bio-diversity conservation for sustainable development in Ethiopian Southern Rift Valley,’ Seyoum Getaneh, Yonas Ugo and Edlawit Abera, who were successful in proving their caliber, will pursue PhDs in three variants i.e. highland forest, lowland forest and wetland.
It’s learnt that decision with regard to 3 PhD positions under Project 5, will be taken soon. The mobility for above selected candidates to Belgium will start in September 2017; soon after their arrival they will be imparted pre-doc test especially for those opted KU Leuven and short-term courses for those pursuing doctoral studies in other Flemish universities.
The second step will be crucial for all aspirants as it’s mandatory to pass Pre-doc and short-term courses (3-to-4 months) with merit and get enrolled for PhDs in respective universities and procure full scholarship. In case, if anyone flunks out in above tests, will be debarred, which has a rare chance, said, AMU-IUC Program Support Unit’s Program Manager, Dr Fassil Eshetu.
In order to brief all PhD aspirants about the next step, a half-day orientation was conducted by Dr Fassil Eshetu, at Senate Hall on 18th May, 2017, wherein he apprised all as how to get prepared themselves for bit tough screening in respective niche areas.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)