This academic year (2016-17), AMU has introduced over 100 new research projects that are problem-solving and demand-driven along with 170 ongoing projects will incur ETB 10 Million to the exchequer. A Special Category for PhD students is the new feature added to the research template, Research Directorate Director, Dr Simon Shibru informed.
Having perused over 160 proposals, this year’s selected tranche of 100 projects are halved into two quarters i.e. 50 projects will go into implementation in second quarter and remaining 50 in the third quarter, Dr Simon added.
AMU’s research projects have quadruple components i.e. Grand, Thematic Annual-based, Small-Scale and newly introduced Special Category for PhD students. Thematic Annual-based and Small-Scale projects form the one category of above mentioned 100 projects; while Grant and Special Category are segmented as standalone projects.
5-year-long ‘Grand projects’ formulated by a team of five will have budget of ETB 0.5 Million each and at least 10 of them are expected this time that will benefit PhD and Master students, Dr Simon said.
Thematic annual-based projects are 100 and each gets ETB 70,000 allocation on average; Small-Scale scheme encourages female researchers to come up with apt projects that carry ETB 15,000 allocation.
Special Category that encourages PhD students to develop projects on thematic areas has budget of ETB 75,000, needs to be sustainable and different from the second category.
On criteria for thematic areas, Dr Simon says, AMU has a purpose and tasks to work in tandem with government policies thus positively contributing to Growth and Transformation Plan-II of the nation.
On new thematic areas, he said that all colleges and research centers have thematic areas independent of others with one hosting institution as it’s fully harmonized, so a call given by any college or institute is open for everyone from across university.
On new initiative, he said, after assuming the office, we ensured that plans on papers` need to be put into action and we are committed to get our plans implemented.
On best proposal, he said if a proposal is firmly hinged on the fulcrum of being demand-driven and problem-solving, feasible and multi-disciplinary is worth. Secondly, team composition is the key we look for, as we intend skills transfer to take place, therefore solo authorship isn’t encouraged. And, a team from different colleges and institutes competing for a proposal get the precedence.
Research and Development Standing Committee led by Vice President for Research and Community Service has final say in picking up proposals. In this, merit has replaced quota system that was often hijacking quality; however, attempts are made to strike a balance with quality at the centre.
On future collaborations, he adds, ‘‘We are getting connected to national and international institutions and networking with federal research institutions has already begun.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)