Arba Minch University (AMU) has embarked on a series of comprehensive reforms to strengthen its research performance and enhance scholarly publications. In an exclusive interview, Dr. Tesfaye Habtemariam, Director of Research Affairs, outlined the University’s ongoing efforts to overcome challenges, modernize research management systems, and boost the quality and volume of publications. He highlighted key initiatives such as the development of a Research and Outreach Management System (ROMS), incentive schemes to encourage publications, establishment of centers of excellence, and the alignment of thematic research areas with national priorities, all aimed at fostering a vibrant and impactful research culture at AMU. Click here to see more photos.
Emphasizing research as one of the core mandates and pillars of Arba Minch University, Dr. Tesfaye stated that the University is committed to fulfilling its research responsibilities with utmost transparency. He explained that AMU initially set out to establish a research database and a research management information system, but the plan was later expanded to encompass publication tracking, research grant management, community engagement, and university–industry linkage. “We now have a functional database being developed by our technical team from the Faculty of Computer and Software Engineering, which operates under the Research and Outreach Management System (ROMS),” he noted. The outreach component, he added, also covers publications, community engagement, and technology transfer. “The initiative is progressing well, with a budget of 1.6 million birr allocated for its implementation,” he highlighted.
Addressing the status of publications, Dr. Tesfaye noted that the number of research outputs at AMU has been steadily increasing each year, though not yet to the desired level. He commended the growing quality of publications and the improving skills of both academic and research staff in scholarly writing; however, he emphasized the need for continued effort to match the publication performance of leading universities. To encourage greater participation, AMU has introduced an incentive scheme that awards 15,000 Ethiopian birr per published article; and citation rates have also shown encouraging progress. Regarding journals and accreditation, Dr. Tesfaye explained that AMU currently hosts five home-based journals, of which the Ethiopian Journal Water Sciences and Technology (EJWST) and the Ethiopian Journal of Business and Social Sciences (EJBSS), have been accredited. Applications for reaccreditation have also been submitted for the Ethiopian Journal of Water and Technology and the new accreditation application for Omo International Journal of Sciences (EIJS) and Ethiopian International Journal of Engineering and Technology (EIJET), have also been submitted reflecting the University’s ongoing commitment to enhancing research visibility and publication standards.
Discussing AMU’s research approach, Dr. Tesfaye explained, the University has streamlined its research thematic areas from 49 to 10, focusing on clusters of interrelated subjects to promote interdisciplinary and cost-effective research. For instance, studies related to water, earth, and the atmosphere are now addressed collectively, including dimensions such as the politics and economics of water. He noted that this restructuring aims to create a more comprehensive and integrated research framework, rather than fragmented individual projects. The research process itself has also been improved, beginning with concept paper screening before proposal submission, to align AMU’s system with international research standards. Each thematic research area is expected to engage communities and strengthen the integration of research with teaching and learning.
Dr. Tesfaye further revealed that enset and mining are envisioned to become new areas of excellence at AMU in the near future. Highlighting the University’s current research landscape, he stated, AMU has moved beyond small-scale projects and now manages over 40 active grand research projects, many of which engage master’s and PhD students. In the previous year alone, the University successfully completed 210 research projects, while a few were discontinued due to issues of relevance, budget constraints, and time limitations. He also noted that recent reports show a remarkable increase in externally funded research, with more than 68 active grant projects currently underway. This growth, he explained, has been facilitated by the establishment of the Collaborative Grant Project Management Office, which enhances proposal development and provides capacity-building training in grant writing. Despite these achievements, Dr. Tesfaye emphasized that further effort is needed to consolidate the progress and ensure sustainable research growth at AMU.
Highlighting the status of research centers across different AMU campuses, Dr. Tesfaye noted that activities at the Chencha-Gircha Research Center have shown modest improvement, with ongoing initiatives in agro-forestry, dairy farming, and other agricultural activities. The center has been mapped for diversified functions and also hosts Una Village, a demonstration site for various agro-based practices. In contrast, the Dorze Research Center is more active, conducting extensive work related to the Enset Park, which forms part of AMU’s biodiversity and conservation efforts, including research on plants used in traditional medicine. He added that several research centers at the Main Campus are progressing well, while the Nech Sar Campus hosts two centers focusing primarily on health-related research. Similarly, the Abaya Campus accommodates projects on malaria, enset, and leguminous plants, with some of its laboratories already accredited. At the Kulfo Campus, the enset tissue culture laboratory is performing strongly in enset-related studies, though research activities in poultry and other areas require closer follow-up and support.
Speaking about international collaboration, Dr. Tesfaye noted that Belgian universities remain AMU’s strongest partners in institutional cooperation and capacity building. He added that the University also maintains productive partnerships with institutions in the USA and the UK, focusing on human resource development and laboratory enhancement. In addition, AMU collaborates with various organizations under the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) on diverse research and development initiatives.
On institutional budget allocation and challenges, Dr. Tesfaye highlighted, AMU has allocated 90 million birr exclusively for research and research administration. However, he noted that cash flow constraints remain a major challenge affecting timely implementation. To address this issue, the University has engaged with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a consistent and adequate cash flow for the remaining period of the budget year.
On the goal of producing a significant number of research outputs and publications, Dr. Tesfaye said, AMU recorded 650 publications last year, although with 1,400 staff members, the target is at least one publication per staff. Acknowledging this gap, the University is working to increase outputs by making research and publication a mandatory component of staff evaluation, alongside teaching and community engagement. To support this, AMU has introduced incentive schemes, training on manuscript writing and awards to encourage staff participation. “Research should become part of the daily routine for all staff,” he emphasized.
In conclusion, Dr. Tesfaye remarked, “We cannot transform the University through the efforts of only a few.” He called on all staff members to actively engage in research and publication activities, emphasizing that the success of the University is a shared success, while its failure affects everyone alike. “Let us work hand in hand and collectively strive to fulfill our mission,” he urged.
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