Haramaya University has conferred the academic rank of professorship on Dr. Mengistu Ketema Aredo, who has worked at the University for more than 16 years.
Dr. Mengistu was born on 30th January 1973 in an area called Wajitu in Degem District; North Shewa Zone of Oromia Region and grew up and studied his primary and secondary education in Bale zone. He completed his secondary education in 1990 in Bale Goba. In September 1995, he joined Haramaya University and earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics in July 1999 with distinction. Soon after graduation, he got employed by Oromia Agricultural Research Institute and assigned to work at Sinana Agricultural Research Center as a junior researcher. After serving for about two years at Sinana, he obtained the chance to pursue his MSc degree at Haramaya University in September 2001. He graduated with the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Economics in July 2003.
In October 2003, he got recruited by Haramaya University to serve as a lecturer. The MSc thesis research work he has undertaken enabled him to win an international Belgian Development Cooperation Prize in 2004. After serving for about three years and a half as a lecturer at Haramaya University, he won a DAAD scholarship and went to Germany in June 2007 to pursue a study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
He joined the University of Giessen, where he earned a PhD degree in Agricultural Economics in November 2010. He came back to Ethiopia in 2010 and re-joined Haramaya University, where he has been working up until now. As an assistant professor and then as an associate professor at the university, he taught a number of courses to MSc and PhD studentsin the School of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. In addition, he has supervised MSc thesis research of more than 60 students and PhD dissertation research of 15 students to completion. He has also coordinated a number of international collaborative projects at Haramaya University though which staff members, post-graduate students, the community, and the University have benefited.Dr. Mengistu has also published more than 60 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, about 20 proceeding papers, and some book chapters.
In addition to his professional services, Dr. Mengistu Ketema has also served as a Director for Research Extension and Publication of the University for more than seven years. In this position, he has played a major role in disseminating technologies to the wider users especially in the eastern part of Ethiopia, establishing various journals for the University, producing various documents and guidelines, and editing many publications. In this regard, he has contributed his level best in the successes and achievements that the Research Affairs Office of the University has registered in the last seven years. Furthermore, he has effectively led several committees for handling and delivering various assignments.
In accordance with the University’s promotion rules and regulations, therefore, the university’s Senate and Administrative Board have promoted him to the rank of full professor in Agricultural and Resource Economics.
