UoG holds its 30th Annual Research Conference with the theme Research, Community Service and Technology Transfer for Rehabilitation and Development

The 30th Research Conference organized by the Research and Technology Transfer Vice President office of the University of Gondar was held under the theme “Research, Community Service and Technology Transfer for Rehabilitation and Development”. The event was held today and is a part of a week-long occasion where research is the key focus.

Dr. Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Nigusu Tilahun, State Minister of the Ministry of Labor and Skills, Dr. Asmare Dejen, Secretary of the Amhara Universities Forum, Dr. Kassahun, Academic Vice President and delegate President, Research and Technology Transfer Vice President of the University of Gondar Dr. Binyam Chaklu, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and Teachers of the University and invited guests were present.

The research budget of the University of Gondar mainly comes from internal, allocated by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and external sources, including national and international donors. For the past 3 years, from 2019 through 2021 the research budget in total topped 138.1 million birr and from external funding, outside of MoFED, was 268 million birr. The sources of external funds such as the Mastercard Foundation, Global Fund, Gates Foundation and various higher education institutions from abroad are, in this regard, shaping the University of Gondar for the better.

The University of Gondar Research and Technology Transfer Vice President Dr. Binyam Chaklu said shared that the event is a clear sign of the commitment that the University of Gondar is willing to make to create a better society for all people.

The University of Gondar Academic Vice President and the delegated President Dr. Kassahun Tegegne shared in his opening remarks that research is at the core of the University of Gondar’s endeavors and it has in recent years been designated as a national research institution among few institutions of higher learning. The University of Gondar has a longstanding tradition of undertaking problem-based research activities and for that very reason, UoG has been a leading force in bringing much-needed change in the nation and beyond.

However, changing topics Dr. Kassahun expressed that this year was different from any other year because of internal strife. “As you may all know many areas in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country have been severely affected by the invading forces that have left behind destruction and heartbreak. The educational system, health sector, agricultural areas, main industries, and government infrastructure have been severely impacted,” shared Dr. Kassahun.

With the above-stated realities being true though the University has been trying to do its fair share to combat the turmoil. In the past year and a half, the University of Gondar has made it its top priority to do all that it can to lessen the burden of these areas and affect positive change in the lives of the millions who have been impacted. To progress these devastated areas the university has been engaged in community rehabilitation that is crucial for the development of the region and country. Places like Wagimra, South Gondar, North Gondar, West Gondar, Welkite, Tegede, and Setit Humera have been recipients of numerous community engagements and efforts to develop the war-torn areas. Human resources and much-needed funds have been mobilized and spent to create a better circumstance for those hard-hit locations and people.

The day was filled with informative events that saw a well-organized exhibition, presentations from top researchers, discussions, and keynote speeches.

One presentation that was quite comprehensive was a research work that had been done by 10 universities and which was led by the Amhara Universities Forum. The research that took 8 months to accomplish had a scope of 87 woredas and 945 kebeles in hard-hit areas that were destroyed and devastated by the invading forces from the North. Their Research shared the psychological material damages that were done to the educational, health, agricultural, and industrial sectors. In total, the researchers stated that over 288-billion-birr worth of destruction was wrought in the target areas. Moving forward the study team has declared that their findings will be made public in the form of a publication and book that will be published in Amharic and English.

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Devoted to Excellence!

Public and International Relations Directorate

May 25, 2022