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Research Publication, Ethics and System Directorate

Endalkachew Fekadu(PhD)
Research Publication, Ethics and System Director

About Research

Woldia University as emerging University in Ethiopia, is striving to mark notable research to bring solutions for local, reginal, national and international challenges. Since 2012, the University played significant roles in identification of research themes, and publication of findings in national and international journals. More than six conferences were organized and research experiences shared by the academicians, stakeholders, and policy makers.

The Research culture in the University were single theme oriented, fragmented, lack consistency and direction to bring sound impact on the development of the nation and the regions. The research themes were not set in line with the research requirements of postgraduate studies. Understanding these, Woldia University has recently made a shift to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research that focused on notional priority areas. We have identified research groups based on the focus areas and missions of the University. Each research group is working on proposals which are innovative, challenge-based, and contribute to the advancement of science, technology and innovation. 

Focus Areas of Research

Agriculture

Mainly oriented to crop and livestock productivity and quality improvement that will contribute to the food system of the nation. Research managed towords conservation of the available resources, and developing methods, practices, and systems to adapt and mitigate climate change.

Technology

Innovation, customization and development of technologies, and digital models that could have application to education quality, health service, tourism, and agricultural development endeavors. Woldia University is committed to tackle the economic, social and environmental problems of the local community while stretching its capacity to promote scientific innovations and breakthrough digital technologies at national and international scale.

Tourism

Ethiopia is amongst the countries that have registered their tangible and intangible heritage under UNESCOs cultural heritage list. The Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela, and many intangible heritages consists of the religious and cultural festivals, social customs in peace building, ceremonies of holydays, folk art, tales, proverbs, popular poetry, songs, oral traditions, and other cultural values and traditional performance are dominantly found in the heart of Wollo and Wagihemera zones. Woldia University aspires to be the center of excellence in promoting tourism and heritage.

Health

Woldia University has identified major thematic areas of health to be addressed through research. some of the research areas include reproductive, maternal and child health, communicable, non-communicable, and zoonotic diseases, occupational, emergency, and environmental health, nutrition, health promotion and disease prevention. The college of health science has a mission to provide professionals equipped with up to date knowledge and skills in health care services. The staff and the students are working closely in research and community engagements.

The Research policy highlights

The research policy of Woldia University is to develop the capacity of the staff, and the students to promote innovation, knowledge, technology generation and dissemination that will eventually contribute to the realization of the national development goal. The Policy aims to create enabling environment, effective and efficient research process, and strong research coordination, access to funding opportunities, and publication and dissemination of its output in various system. The research policy focuses on:

  • Effective harmonization of teaching, research, technology generation and transfer to the users
  • Supporting in establishing scientific, and accredited laboratories with sufficient staff and consistent services
  • Developing and updating enabling guidelines to prepare research proposals, screening criteria, progress and final report evaluation and submission.
  • Encourage staff to develop and organize multidisciplinary themes of research capable to solve societal problems.

Research, publication, ethics, and system directorate office’s major activities

  • Supporting staff to develop thematic research proposals on national priority areas, and on the institution’s mission towards realizing the center of excellence
  • Encourage staff to establish networks with national and international partners working interdisciplinary researches
  • Developing and updating enabling guidelines that could foster the progress and implementation of research and innovation
  • Organizing capacity building platforms including training, conferences, seminars
  • Strengthening the research management system, and databases in collaboration with information, communication and technology executive offices
  • Enhancing the ethical review system in promoting ethical standards of the research and innovation
  • Handling regular discussion and meetings with the research, and community service council members of the University
  • Encouraging researchers to publish their finding in national and international journals publications
  • Facilitating colleges to develop their own reputable journals to publish local and international manuscripts of high standard
  • Work on smooth utilization of financial and material resources

Research organization and infrastructure

The research, Publication, ethics, and system directorate is structured under the vice president for academics, research, technology transfer, and community service. The directorate is organized to have supporting committees research and community service council, and the institutional review board. The council is responsible to decide thematic areas, evaluate research proposals, administer research funds, follow up research progress and final outputs. The institutional review board is working on assessment of research proposals related with human and animals to meet national ethical standards.

  • Endalkachew Fekadu(PhD, Associate Professor)
  • Research, Publication, Ethics, and System Director
  • birtukanasmare@wldu.edu.et
  • +251935723891
  • AD-2, G+0