Arba Minch University’s (AMU) flagship initiative, the AMU-IUC project, recently highlighted its achievements and future vision during a comprehensive presentation to the university’s new leadership. Click here to see more photos
The session opened with a reflective address by Associate Professor Behailu Merdekios, the outgoing project coordinator. Drawing on his extensive experience, Associate Professor Behailu provided an overview of the project’s journey from its inception to its current phase, spotlighting key milestones. He then introduced Dr. Fassil Eshetu, the project’s Manager, who delivered a detailed account of the initiative’s contributions and impact.
Dr. Fassil traced the project’s evolution, beginning with the VLIR-UOS TEAM PROJECTS "Stripes" initiative in 2010, followed by the impactful “ENEST project” in 2016, which laid the groundwork for the IUC initiative launched in 2017. He highlighted significant achievements, including funding and overseeing the entire PhD journey for 33 AMU academic staff in Belgium, covering scholarships and research funding. Fourteen of them have successfully completed their degrees and are now actively contributing to the university’s academic and research missions. Dr. Fassil also emphasized the establishment of cutting-edge facilities such as advanced ICT infrastructure, river gauging stations, automatic weather stations, laboratories, and water quality monitoring systems, which have boosted the university’s capacity to address regional challenges.
The AMU-IUC project, a collaboration between AMU and five Belgian universities, aims to advance research, education, innovation, and community outreach. During the presentation, Dr. Fassil underscored the project’s transformative impact on the university and the surrounding community, highlighting research outcomes and the creation of meaningful opportunities for AMU staff, students, and local stakeholders. Dr. Fassil further detailed the project’s alignment with AMU’s strategic priorities, including infrastructure development, ICT capacity building, and the establishment of advanced research facilities.
Acting President of AMU, Dr. Engineer Abdella Kemal, applauded the project for its contributions beyond academics, particularly its role in addressing regional challenges through applied research and innovative solutions. Dr. Abdella reiterated AMU’s commitment to supporting the project and ensuring its continued success in advancing research and development.
Delegate Vice President for Research and Cooperation, Dr. Teklu Wegayehu, praised the project’s strides in school outreach and community problem-solving initiatives. He emphasized the importance of transforming research findings into actionable solutions that directly benefit the community while reinforcing AMU’s reputation as a hub for innovation and high-quality research.
Delegate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Engineer Bogale Gebremariam in his part highlighted the project’s exceptional achievements and called for broader dissemination of its research findings among faculty and researchers. He stressed the importance of fully utilizing the advanced tools and resources acquired through the project to enhance research capacity and development.
Key discussions also addressed integrating the project’s outreach into AMU’s operations, promoting its work to boost the university’s visibility, and exploring new collaborative opportunities with KU Leuven and VLIR-UOS.
The meeting concluded with formal acknowledgments to Associate Professor Behailu Merdkios, who played a pivotal role in the project’s success, was recognized for his foundational contributions. Leadership responsibilities were officially handed over to Dr. Teklu Wegayehu, marking a new chapter for the initiative.
With active engagement from the new project coordinator, AMU-IUC project leaders, and the strategic leadership of the project manager, the initiative will continue to position itself as a transformative force in research and development. By embedding its outreach within AMU’s core operations, enhancing its visibility, and fostering strategic collaborations, the AMU-IUC project remains central to the university’s vision for excellence and sustainability.
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Public and International Relations Executive