US Embassy – Ethiopia, Ethiopia Academy of Sciences, and Fulbright Scholars from the US team including Ryan Bradeen, Prof. Maseresha Fetene (a member of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences Staff), Fulbright Scholars from the US Prof. Solomon Bililign (NCAT), Prof. Birhanu Eshete (University of Michigan) and Prof. Nassir Bogale (Stevens Institute of Technology), along with others visited Arba Minch University (AMU); research grant proposal writing training for academic and research staff for two days and half-day grant management training for administrative officials held at main campus from May 21 to 22, 2025. Click here to see more photos.
Abdella Kemal (PhD, Ing.), AMU President, compellingly speaking and articulating on the university's commitment, said, AMU is thoroughly working on the transition towards becoming an autonomous research-based university within the next two years. Dr. Ing. Abdella noted that research serves as a catalyst for societal transformation addressing pressing challenges and enhancing the quality of life; therefore, it’s important to build human capacity to utilize the maximum outputs of research work. He also appreciated the staff from US Embassy – Ethiopia and Ethiopian Academy of Sciences for their visit to AMU and render the training for both academic and research and administrative staff members of AMU to improve research grant proposal writing and administration skills respectively and share their life-long professional experiences.
Tekelu Wegayehu (PhD), Vice President for Research and Cooperation, emphasized the significant impact of the training on the university's research capabilities. He highlighted that the workshop not only equipped participants with essential skills of grant project proposal writing but also provided valuable insights of grant project administration for higher and mid-level officials. Underscoring the importance of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with funders while aligning with their priorities, Dr. Teklu further added, future initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between AMU and local communities were also addressed to reinforce the university's commitment.
Thomas Torora (PhD), Director of the Grant Management and Coordination office, underscored the primary objective of the workshop was to pave the way for future success, not only for individual researchers but also for the coordination office dedicated to facilitating.
Ryan Bradeen, US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, based on his earlier experience with funding organizations, urged the trainees to build trust and fulfill requirements of funders in project grant proposal writing, grant project administration, reporting and financial expenditure.
The trainers, Prof. Masresha Fetene, former Executive Director of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Solomon Bililign, emphasized on the importance of promoting educational and cultural exchanges to foster mutual understanding between Ethiopia and the United States. They both discussed the structure and responsibilities of university offices for research grant project administration trainees whereas various topics such as understanding funding opportunities, writing successful grant proposals, budgeting and financial management, developing and sustaining interdisciplinary collaborations, building support systems, and engaging in mock grant writing exercises were on the card for grant writing trainees; Prof. Solomon Bililign, Prof. Masresha Fetene, Prof. Nasser Bogale, and Dr. Birhanu Eshete reviewed the contents.
The team was also engaged in professional discussion with AMU scholars, visited English Language Improvement Center/ELIC/ and English Access Scholarship Program coordinators. They also oriented local secondary school students on study opportunities in the US. In a way forward, Access Program is to provide English language training to communities and to foster mutual commitment of both institutions to strengthen educational ties between AMU and US institutions laying strong foundation for future academic partnerships that will benefit students, scholars, and the broader community.
The workshop was organized in partnership with the US Embassy - Ethiopia Education and Culture Exchange Team and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) and aimed to enhance research grant proposal writing and grant project administration skills among participants. 100 trainees including 50 Principal Investigators (PIs) and 50 administrative high-level and middle level officials were in attendance.
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