Quality, originality, socio-economic aspects and national economic growth were the buzz words echoed all around during 6th national symposium on ‘Research for Development, at New Hall, Main Campus from 19-20th April, 2019. Scholars from 14 public universities presented their potential research outputs. click here to see the pictures

The symposium was hosted by AMU’s Research Directorate in association with College of Social Science & Humanities, College of Business & Economics, School of Pedagogical & Behavioral Sciences and School of Law. It saw presentation of 28 papers focusing on thematic areas of which AMU and Dire Dawa University had 6 each, and remaining papers came from other partnering universities. 

The program begun with Research Directorate Director, Dr Teshome Yirgu, welcoming participants urged them to walk the talk. Research is aimed at discovering solutions to problems and knowledge. In a world increasingly propelled by technology, research done at universities spurs economic growth. In that context, this platform will ponder and disseminate innovative solutions to address complex social issues; you have potential to evolve an alchemy that will go into ameliorating people’s life across nation, he stressed.

In Ethiopia, we have come to the stage wherein complacency will prove to be hazardous, said Research and Community Service Vice President, Dr Simon Shibru, speaking on behalf of AMU President, asked researchers to be focused, well-directed and output must be problem-solving. He exhorts them to be a visionary, for cumulative vision accompanied with joint efforts will help to achieve the unachievable.

He adds, research must understand prioritized areas of nation and produce effective outputs to stimulate economic growth and urged them to go for joint academic and innovative research endeavor that in turn will enhance quality in education and promote cultural diversities for the good of its citizens.

1st key-note speaker, Prof Mohammad Assen Ahmed of Addis Ababa University underscoring sense of proportion and restructuring, said, restructuring within university is must, government should have policy in place to arrest brain-drain, for it creates vacuum in teaching-learning process. When we say research is the engine of development, and then it must be of high quality, it should be adequately funded and duplication must be stopped. He exhorts AMU to take responsible role in linking research with technology.

2nd speaker, Dr Hussein Kedir in his hard-hitting speech that set the tone for agenda by unraveling contradictions said, despite huge investment in education sector, we couldn’t achieve desired results. We have made education as fundamental rights but still there are illiterates, we say economy is growing but inequalities are also thriving. Similarly, three key pillars such as democracy, governance and gender equality are in shamble.

Furthermore, he adds, integrate research with development for it is imperative and apply applied one in formulating palatable remedies to address community issues. You know focus on agriculture isn’t by chance for it’s the mainstay of our economy; your fruitful venture must lead you into paradigm shift.

Showing way forward, he said, research must be original, don’t borrow ideas and replicate, your research should tell what has to be changed, renewed and restructured; moreover, logical integration between research, education and development will take us to desired destination, he averred.

AMU researcher and a PhD scholar with Addis Ababa University, Asegid Ayele, presenting finding on ‘E-marketing Adoption in Tourism Businesses in Ethiopia,’ said, tourism businesses should work on human resource, technological, financial and managerial e-readiness to cope up with the ever growing marketing dynamics; moreover, government should earnestly deal with the techno-policies of telecom sector to encourage these businesses to adopt E-marketing.

Research scholars from Dire Dawa, Addis Ababa, Assosa, Ambo, Hawassa, Mekelle, Gondar, Mezan Tepi, Injibara, Debre Markos, Debre Berhan, Wollega and Wolkite universities, AMU officials, Master & PhD students and stakeholders from Gamo Zone government offices were in attendance.

(Corporate Communication Directorate)