Schedule for the 12th International Symposium on Science for Sustainable Development at Arba Minch University

17-18 April, 2026

 Friday, April 17, 2026 (Day 1)

 

Time

Activity

Responsible body

 

8:00 -8:20

Registration

Organizing Committee

 

8:20 -8:30

Welcoming Speech

Dr. Teklu Wogayehu  (Research and Cooperation Vice President, Arba Minch University)

Chairperson

Secretary

Moderator

 

Dr. Desta Galcha

Dr. Mulugeta Habte

Dr. Tesfaye H/Mariam

 

 

8:30–8:45

Opening Speech

Dr. Ing. Abdela Kemal  (President, Arba Minch University)

 

8:45-9:00

AMU research and publication activities

Dr. Tesfaye  H/Mariam

 

9:00–9:30

 
Keynote Speech 1

 

Dr. Yemane Teklai

 

9:30- 10:00

Keynote Speech 2

Principal Scientist Abebe Menkir Tessema

 

10:00-10:20

Discussion

 

10:20-10:40

Health Break

 

10:40-11:00

Policy strategy and research (PSR) Journey and the Gaps in Knowledge Translation in Ethiopia’s Health System Context

Ministry of Health, Ethiopia

Dr. Zerihun Zerdo

Dr. Degife Asefa

 

 

11:00-11:20 

Whole genome based characterization of antimicrobial resistance markers, virulence genes and genetic diversity of Campylobacter species from under-five children and free-range chicken in Northwest Ethiopia

Dr. Mesfin Worku

 

11:20-11:40 

Messages from CBE

Delegate from   CBE

 

11:40- 12:00

Discussion

 

12:00-14:00

Lunch

 

Day 1 Afternoon Parallel session 1 (College of Agricultural Sciences)

 

Time

Parallel session 1

Presenter

Chairperson

Secretary

Moderator

 

14:00-14:10

Impact of Tillage Practices and Maize-Bean Cropping System on Soil Properties and Crop Yields in Dry Land Area of Konso, Southern Ethiopia

MengistuTumayro

Dr. Gezahegn Kassa

Mr. Meseret Turuko

Mr. Agidew Abebe

 

14:10-14:20

Multilocus Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Genomic Regions Associated with Resistance to Red Leaf Blotch in Soybean

Yechalew Sileshi

 

14:20-14:30

Drivers of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Multidimensional Food Security Status: Evidence from East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Marta Mohamed

 

14:30-15:30

Discussion

 

15:30-15:50

Health Break

 

Afternoon, April 17, 2026

 

15:50-16:00

Multi-dimensional Poverty Analysis of Rice Producers in FogeraWoreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia

Haregewoin Genetu

Dr. Mesfin Shurbe

Dr. Azmera W.

Mr. Esatu B.

 

16:00-16:10

Characterizing Production System and Reproductive Performance of Short Fat-Tailed Sheep and Awassi Cross in the Highlands of Ethiopian

Nurlgn Mohammed

 

16-10-16:20

The relationship between reproductive success of a locally endangered tree species, Oleaeuropaea subsp. cuspidata and human disturbance in an isolated Afromontane forest in Northern Ethiopia

Dr. Mekdes Ourgie

 

16-20-17:20

Discussion

 

 

Parallel session 1 (Day Two)

 

 

 

 

 

8:00 -8:10

Identification of Soil Erosion Hotspots and Estimation of Sediment Yield Using Integrated GIS and Hydrological Modeling in the Dirma River Watershed, Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia

FitamlakTeka

Mr. Behilu Asrat

Mr. Bayisa Bekele

Dr. Zenebe M.

 

8:10 -8:20

Microbiological and Physicochemical quality analysis of raw cow milk in selected areas of Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia Region

MetagesYirgalem

 

8:20–8:30

Determinants of Adoption and Intensity of Sesame Production among Smallholder Farmers in the South Ethiopia Region: A Double Hurdle Model Approach

Kutoya Kusse

 

8:30-9:40

Discussion

 

 

 

April 17, 2026

Afternoon  (Day 1)

Parallel Session 2 (College of Natural and computational Sciences )

Time

Title

Presenter

Chair person

Secretary

Moderator

14:00-14:10

Epidemiology of Ticks and the Efficacy of Selected Medicinal Plants on Dominant Tick Species in Districts of Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia

Dr.  Ephrem Tora

Dr.

Samson Tizazu

Mr.

Eyob Mulugeta

Dr.

Shetie  Gatew

14:10-14:20

Levels of pesticide residues in sediment and soils of Fogera district, North western Ethiopia: Indications of Some Risks to Local Biota

Dr. Abebaw Abaineh

14:20-14:30

Phytochemical Profiling and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Activity of Moringa stenopetala Leaf Extract

Mr. Biruk Tesfaye

14:30-15:30

Discussion

15:30-15:50

Health Break

15:50-16:00

Bridging Data Gaps: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Climate Risk Prediction and Food Security in Vulnerable Regions of Ethiopia

Mr. Derbabaw Fentie

Mr.

Bereket Getachew

Dr.

Teshome Bayileyegn

Dr.

Hunsa Haho

16:00-16:10

Machine Learning-Driven Climate Prediction for Mathematical Modeling of Desert Locust Outbreak Dynamics

Dr. Dejen Ketema Mamo

16-10-16:20

An Efficient Computational Method for Convection-Reaction-Diffusion Semi-linear Problems with Two Small Parameters Using Python

Dr.  Mekashaw Ali Mohye

16-20-17:20

Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

Parallel Session 2 (College of Natural and computational Sciences )

April 18, 2026

Morning  (Day 2)

8:00 -8:10

Long-Term Trends in Airborne Particulate Matter Over East Africa: Implications for Environmental Health Policy

Dr. Ambachew Abeje

Dr. Leulalem Shano

Dr. Endalkachew  Teshome

Mr. Admasu Tassew

8:10 -8:20

Energy Mineral Resources Composition Evaluation and Rank Determination Using Proximate and Ultimate Analyses: A Case Study of the Boroda Coal Deposit, Gamo Gofa, Southern Ethiopia

 

Mr.  Bekele Ayele

8:20–8:30

Geology and Geochemistry of Nickel Ore at Kilta Ridge: Implications for Genesis and Mineralization's in Southern Ethiopia's Neoproterozoic Adola Belt.

 

Dr.  Jisan Kebede

 

8:30-9:40

Discussion

Parallel Session 3 - College of Medicine and Health Sciences, April 17 2026, Day 1 – Afternoon Schedule

 

Time

Title

Presenter

Chair person

Secretary

Moderator

14:00-14:10

Magnitude and associated factors of gender-based violence among women and girls in Africa: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis toward agenda 2030

Gebrie Getu

 

Dr. Befikadu Tariku

 

Mr. Misgun Shewangizaw

 

Dr. Mesfin Kote

14:10-14:20

A multidimensional impact of pre-treatment nutritional status on clinical outcomes among newly diagnosed adult oncology patients: A longitudinal study

Abebe Dukessa

14:20-14:30

The Bottlenecks and Key Drivers of SAM Treatment Coverage among Young Children in Ethiopia’s Agro-Pastoral Zone

Bayise Biru

14:30-15:30

Discussion

15:30-15:50

Health Break

15:50-16:00

Barriers and enablers of informal caregiver’s engagement that influence the quality of high-acuity neonatal nursing care in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of qualitative evidence

Abera Mersha

 

Dr. Wanzahun Godana

 

Mr. Firdawek Getahu

 

Mr. Abinet Gebremickael

16:00-16:10

Uncovering Silent Malaria Reservoirs in Southern Ethiopia: Community-Based Molecular Detection of Asymptomatic and Sub-Microscopic Infections and Their Implications for Diagnosis and Control

Alayu Bogale

 

 

 

16-10-16:20

Urban-Rural Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women in East Africa: A Multivariate decomposition analysis

Eyob Akalewold

 

 

 

 

 

16-20-17:20

Discussion and End of Day 1

Parallel Session 3 - College of Medicine and Health Sciences

 April 18 2026, Day 2 –  Morning Schedule

8:00 -8:10

Psycho-Social burden of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and its Impact on Individuals Living with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Global Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

 

Mohammedjud Hassen

 

 

 

Dr. Ashenafi Abosse

 

 

 

 

Dr. Aklilu Alemayehu

 

 

 

 

Dr. Nathan Dessalegn

8:10-8:20

Prevalence and Determinants of Rickets among Children in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Leweyehu Alemaw

8:20 -8:30

Effect of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food Combined with High-Intensity Motor Learning Training: A Synergistic Approach to Restore Motor Skills and Skill-related Fitness in 5- 7-year-old Children with Moderate Thinness in Jimma Town, South-West, Ethiopia: a  cluster-randomized controlled trial

Dr. Melese Sinaga

8:30-9:40

Discussion

9:40-10:00

Health Break

Organizers

10:00-11:00

Panel discussion

Panelists

Dr. Ashenafi H.

Dr. Simon Darke

Dr. Tesfaye H/Mariam

11:00-11;30

Exhibitions and poster presentation

Organizers

11:30-12:00

Common Closing  Session

Dr. Teklu Wogayehu  (Research and Cooperation Vice President, Arba Minch University)