VLIRUOS-AMU’s Institutional University Cooperation for 2017-2021, is all set to launch its first five-year phase as AMU sets up its program support unit (PSU) to execute all administrative activities for launching of six approved projects and 17 PhDs. Click here to see the pictures.
Overall Program Coordinator from KU Leuven, Prof. Roel Merckx and Financial Administrator, Ann Hasendonckx, in their recent visit have established PSU at AMU from where all administrative functions will be carried out under the leadership of Program Coordinator, Dr Guchie Gulie and Program Manager, Dr Fantahun W/Senbet.
PSU at AMU’s administrative office has recruited an accountant, office clerk, messenger, three drivers and other required infrastructure has been put in place, informed, Dr Fantahun.
He further said though, AMU-IUC has started partnership program in January 2017 that will be formally launched in March 2017. The application deadline for 12 PhDs ended on January 20, 2017, and remaining five PhDs cab be applied by February 10, 2017. The selected students will move to Belgium to pursue their doctoral studies.
The visiting Flemish overall project coordinator and project leaders with local counterparts will put in place the working procedures and by March 2017, AMU-IUC programs will be formally launched wherein all approved six projects will come into operation.
Dr Fantahun’s counterpart, Ann Hasendonckx from KU Leuven said, right from beginning of this collaboration, big responsibility is attached to PSU as it will work closely with administrative office of KU Lueven. The procedure and updating of management manual for managing annual grant of € 570000 in accordance with the sponsor’s (Belgium government) guidelines fitting into the local flow and procedure of Arba Minch University were other key issues discussed.
She adds money will be transferred to AMU by KU Lueven and other issues like utilization of pre-partner program grant (€150000) that ended by December 2016, what is done or reported correctly, financial plan setting for 2017, procurement, call and related activities for PhD students to be finalized by March 2017 prominently also figured in the meeting.
Flemish overall Program Coordinator, Prof. Roel Merckx, KU Leuven, said purpose of our visit was to organize launch of AMU-IUC program in March 2017, and putting PSU in place was another agenda to facilitate smooth functioning.
He further added that we tried to feel the temperature of cooperation by going through all specifics of procedures for the mobility of prospective, PhD students to Belgium etc. And while coordinating, I will ensure the content of projects make sense and serve the purpose.
Flemish leaders, Prof. Roel Merckx, Mrs Martine Dekoninck, Ann Hasendonckx, Prof. Miet Maertens and Prof. Luc De Meester from KU Leuven; Prof. Frederik Questier and Prof. Matthieu Kervyn from Vrije Universiteit Brussels; Prof. Jean Pierre Van Geertruyden from Antwerp and Prof. Geert Janssens from Gent University will grace AMU-IUC launching in March 2017.
The six projects that will come into operation are: ‘Improving teaching and research processes of AMU by enhancing ICT and library automation’, ‘Living with uncertainty: Analyzing rural livelihoods and rethinking in South Ethiopian Rift Valley’, ‘Reducing land degradation for sustainable economic development’, ‘Improving agricultural productivity in Southern Ethiopian Rift Valley’ and ‘Biodiversity conservation for sustainable development.’
(Corporate Communication Directorate)