Arba Minch University’s Research Directorate, in its two-day annual research review hosted from 6th to 7th March, 2020, at Main Campus, has reviewed 8 completed research findings. The next day, 2 institutes, 5 colleges, 2 schools and Sawla Campus simultaneously reviewed 522 projects at respective premises.Click here to see the pictures

University President, Dr Damtew Darza, in his opening address heaping praise upon AMU staff members for their efforts in conducting problem-solving projects serving the interest of community, exhorted others to strongly invest their time in multidisciplinary research for now AMU is categorized as the Research University. Hence, it’s time to be more proactive, hardworking and perseverant for it will not only broaden your mental horizon build your capacity and ultimately serve the national interest.

He adds the world population continues to grow and simultaneously needs of society getting diversified while efforts to satisfy life necessities are not commensurate with challenges it posed for governments. Hence, government bodies and professionals in across globe must recognize that they are dealing with problems which are complex in nature that have no satisfactory solutions. It behooves us to pay more attention to research and application of its findings to realize sustainable improvements in all walks of life.

At the outset, Research Directorate’s Executive Director, Dr Teshome Yirgu, welcoming the gathering informed that its current budget is ETB 31,739,300 that constitutes 3.21% of total recurrent budget of the University. Interestingly, in the last six months, his directorate could gain ETB 8,436,192 research grants from different national and global funding organizations; presently it has utilized 45% of its annual budget.

He informed that of total 1,053 academic and research staff members 681 that includes male and female are actively involved. Listing out issues affecting research performance, he said that respective college finance departments willfully divert research funds to other sectors, inadequate transport facilities, lack of commitment on the part of researchers in completing projects in time and dismal response of some senior staff are the real challenges need to be tackled.

One of AMU presenters, Mohammad Seid’s study themed ‘A History of the Gidicho Island: An overview, 1520-1995,’ dwelt deeper into Gidicho ethnic group stated that Gidicho is one of the islands found in Lake Abaya and inhabited by Baiso and Haro peoples who speak Cushitic and Omotic languages. They have well-established administrative, economic and cultural systems. In 1890 to 1995, they were part of Sidamo administrative structure which later became part of North Omo Zone from 1995 to 2000. He also dwelt into their belief, economic life and social ethos, etc.

The review begun with Amanuel Shewa presenting findings on ‘Challenges and contributions of informal finances to the livelihood of rural households in Gamo & Gofa zones; Daniel Tekle, Sultan Hussein, Democracy Dilla, Woldeab Daniel, Amba Salishe and Dr Serekebirhan Takele were other presenters.

On the last, AMU’s Water Technology Institute reviewed 55 projects, Institute of Technology 24, College of Natural Sciences 73, College of Agricultural Sciences 54, College of Medical and Health Sciences 102, College of Business & Economics 31 (4 completed), College of Social Science and Humanities 48, Sawla Campus 22 (6 completed), School of Law 13 and School of Pedagogical and Behavioral Sciences 13.

Research centres are likely to review stated projects at later stage, wherein South Omo Anthropological Research Centre will review 10 projects, Livestock and Fisheries Research Centre 14, Renewable Energy Technology Research Center 7, Biodiversity Research Centre 15, Gircha Highland Fruits and Vegetables Research Center 21, Social & Behavioral Research Unit 13, Demographic & Health Development Research Unit 7 and Collaborative Research & Training Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases 8 (2 completed) projects.

Representatives from Gamo Zone’s departments such as Agriculture and Natural Resource, Culture & Tourism, Trade & Industry, Fishery and Livestock including two elders of Gidicho Community from Mirab Abaya district for the findings pertaining to study on their Ethnic group was also presented, stakeholders and AMU community members were in attendance.

(Corporate Communication Directorate)