Dr Teshome Yirgu, who wielded different positions, doing equal justice with them, is exhilarated for assuming Research Directorate as a director. He vowed to bring in fresh breath of pragmatic air, putting community at center-stage. In this interview, he spells out his readiness to execute impending tasks, negotiate countless challenges and to move on!
On research as a huge mandate, he said, it being one of the three pillars of AMU, I will try my best to accomplish stipulated mandates in an absolutely transparent manner. Anchored in a team-spirit, I will plan, coordinate and monitor things in a way, a leader ought to do.
Replying to transition from academic to research, he said, though, I came from academics, yet, I was fully involved in research that gives an edge over others. He has 8 research publications and a text book to his credit – ‘Geo-Morphology’, is prescribed for the 3rd year UG students.
Reminiscing about immediate tasks, he said, I will continue with on-going research activities and also undertake Grand Kulfo Project that is related with thematic areas. For being a physical and environmental geographer, research topics like climate, environment, water-shed management, food security and livelihood are very dear to me, he maintained.
Reiterating his vision, he said, I want researchers to penetrate community, know their distress, understand it and find potential solution to serve the marginalized, neglected and disadvantaged groups. I am committed to promote problem-solving research that will resolve community’s issues; he finds this job full of excitement and promises.
Citing apparent challenges, he said, logistics, lethargic financial procedure and decentralization in particular has demerits for instance, research coordination offices are managed by college deans, who primarily accomplish academic tasks and also keep tabs on research activities, but that makes my relationship with coordinators bit dotted. And being solely responsible, I want to have a straight link thus removing issue of subordination and hopes it will be sorted out soon.
He had BA, MA in physical geography from Addis Ababa University between 1981 & 2000. He started as a teacher with Wollo Hike High School, then as a principal of secondary schools at Wollega, Chencha and Arba Minch. He served as Environment and Land Administration Expert in Regional Bureau of Agriculture; and with Master, he was dean at Teachers’ Training College, Arba Minch then an instructor at AMU followed by deanship of the ‘Faculty of Education’.
In 2007, he left for India for doctoral studies in environmental geography and upon his return he worked as an instructor for three months and went on to become director for students’ affairs and the dean of College of Social Sciences and Humanities for 3 ½ years.
Having assumed new office, he said, I am extremely happy, since beginning, I had an inclination to undertake research on environmental issues and now I am engaged in scientific research instead of dreary job. I am happy to work with all academic and research staff to their spirit high in my directorate.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)