The 37th and 38th Annual Research and Extension Review Workshop were conducted from April 8-9, 2021 at Haramaya University’s Afran Kallo Hall on the Main Campus under the theme “Research for Community Transformation and Sustainable Development.”

The annual workshop was co-organized by Haramaya University Office of the Vice President for Research Affairs and Office of the Vice President for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development.

The workshop was conducted to review results of the research, extension, and community engagement activities implemented over the last two years by the University with local, regional, national, and international partners and stakeholders. In addition, the platform was created to deliberate on priority focus areas both for research and community engagement programs.

Dr. Tesfaye Lemma, Vice President for Research Affairs, warmly welcomed the guests and the participants. In his speech, Dr. Tesfaye outlined key initiatives since he took office in mid December 2020 to motivate researchers, increase resource mobilization, improve research process management and enhance partnership for research-cum- development. He further underlined that there is urgent need to realign the thematic research areas with recently launched University Strategic Plan and the national transformation agenda.

Prof. Mengistu Urge, Vice President for Academic Affairs and delegate of the President of the University, reaffirmed commitment of the leadership to further strengthen the capacity needed to conduct problem-solving and cutting-edge research. He reiterated the need to move from piecemeal approach in research to more multi-and trans- disciplinary research programs and projects to enhance research impact and research productivity in terms of publications on high quality indexed journals.

Dr. Yesihak Yusuf Mummad, Vice President for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development, welcomed the participants and presented an overview of key results of activities carried out at grass-roots level in collaboration with government and non-government organizations in East Hararghe Zone.

The New Business Idea Competition launched recently to encourage young entrepreneurs was presented as one of the innovative and promising initiative of the office.

Status and key achievements with regard to research extension and publication was presented by Dr. Deribachew Bekana, Director of Research Groups and Partnership at the Research Office.

About 200 participants invited from government and non-government organizations in East Hararghe Zone, farmers’ cooperatives, and Haramaya University researchers and support staff attended the workshop.

Important feedback and suggestions were provided by partners and stakeholders with regard to priority focus areas for both research and community engagement activities. The participants appreciated the University for its tangible contribution so far and requested  for more support in terms of knowledge and technology, particularly for lowland areas.

An exhibition displaying the various research, extension and community engagement activities of the University and its various organs was held and the response and feedback from the attendees was encouraging.

Chief Editors, associate editors, and editorial managers of the five journals of the University were recognized during the occasion.

Professor Mengistu Urgie and Dr. Tesfaye Lemma handed over the certificates and tablets, and thanked the President’s Office for the support provided.

Representing the recognized editors, Professor Nigussie Dechassa appreciated the management and underlined the importance of such recognition to promote commitment and outstanding performance among the staff in different areas.

In his closing remarks, Professor Jeyilan Woliye, Vice President for Administration & Student Affairs emphasized that the primary focus of research universities including Haramaya should be the generation of edge and innovation through applied and basic research. Such universities should serve as drivers of innovation and social transformation. Effective research communication and increased visibility is important, he added.

Haramaya has recently been designated as one of the eight research universities in Ethiopia by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.