Dr Yechale Kebede, the Vice President for Administration, has been elevated to the position of Academic Affairs Vice President on March 22, 2016. Dr Yechale in the last 10 years with AMU has held several positions. He held his previous position for almost two years. He spoke on the wide range of issues and following is the full text of his interview. After school studies from Gojjam, Amhara region, in 2000, he completed BA in Geography and Environmental Studies and MA in Physical Geography Studies in 2004 from Addis Ababa University.
On his first job, he said, ‘‘I joined AMU in 2004 as a lecturer and a year later, I was Geography department head, then vice dean for a year and dean of Faculty of Education in 2008. In 2009, I left for PhD and completed my doctoral studies in ‘Land use cover dynamics using geospatial technology’ in 2012 from Andhra University, India.
Upon his return with PhD, he briefly served as delegate to Academic Affairs Vice President. Thereafter, for 18 months he was Dean for College of Distance and Continuing Education and in 2014 was appointed Vice President for Administration and Development.
On challenges, he said, ‘‘I faced many complexes in administration; at times it was difficult to satisfy people’s expectations. Many want to be promoted to the next level but without relevant qualification and experience administration can’t fulfill their wishes and then they cry foul. Some employees are found to be negligent in performing duties; issue of rent-seeking is also a matter of grave concern.
Administration often grapples with external and internal issues; on external front, administration is wrongly blamed for the delay caused by either supplying agencies or government level in the purchase of resources; but it’s misconstrued as the lack of good governance.
Other glaring issue of people’s incorrigible attitude to ask for new things instead of getting their laptops, ovens, refrigerators etc. repaired. However, we are trying our best to create awareness in that regard, he added.
Internal issues like, Clinic at Institute of Technology then built to serve 400 students, now can’t satisfy the needs of 10,000 students. Though, we have asked the government for the standard clinic that will cater to the needs of student community is yet to be approved. Similarly, we don’t have sufficient classrooms for IoT students, but we are managing with existing ones.
Undue delay caused by the contractors in executing ongoing projects in the university is cause of great concern. Actually, unless projects at hands are completed, we can’t ask for new one to the government.
On achievements, he informed, ‘‘Service delivery has been improved by restructuring general service system. Warehouse and Inventory Management information system is being automated, Human Resource Management system got optimized and security cameras have been installed to tightened security. Transport service is being decentralized; while finance and work section will follow the suit. Needs of housing is also being solved on the priority level.
On new responsibilities, he said, I am glad and ready for any sacrifices as this country has done lot for me. I will do my best to fulfill the expectations as I strongly believe to collaborate and respect others to work for the common cause by being democratic in approach,’’ he avers.

(By Corporate Communication Directorate: Philips Joseph)