Haramaya University collage of social science and humanities conducted Capacity building collaboration project validation workshop at resource center on February 28, 2022.
At the workshop opening ceremony Dr. Adinew Tadesse, dean of collage of social sciences and humanities and the coordinator of the project, said that this validation workshop has been organized for reviewing and validating the works of researchers supported by the project that the collage currently implementing jointly with the institute for peace and security studies of Addis Ababa University from Ethiopia, and four other African Universities – University of Obafemi Awolowo from Nigeria, Protestant University of Central Africa Cameroon, University of Hargiesa from Somaliland and University of Zimbabwe. According to Dr. Adinew, the financial support is provided from the United Kingdom (UK) research and Innovation in partnership with the African Research Universities alliance for the implementation of the three-year capacity building project.
Dr. Adinew added that the overall goal of the project is to contribute to sustainable peace and development goals of the United Nations’ 2030 agenda by focusing on the sub-theme of violence and peace blockages in Africa and the objective of the project is to develop research capacity in all collaborating Universities by supporting PhD students and stuff in their research projects. In the current workshop, nine researchers have presented their works which are supported by the project.
At the workshop opening remarks, Dr. Tesfaye Lema, Vice president for research affairs, said that the capacity building project was launched in January 2021 and it is expected to continue till December 2023. The kind of the project is a partnership project which is financially supported by UK research and innovation fund as well as African universities alliance which includes Haramaya and Addis Ababa Universities from Ethiopia. “In my view,” said Dr. Tesfaye, “The project is unique in its partnership arrangement because it encompasses both south-south and south-north partnership that is very important. The project is also more relevant and timely due to its focus on building capacity of institutions and individuals for research in the area of peace and security particularly in the horn of Africa.”
Dr. Tesfaye added that, at the horn of Africa, there are indigenous conflict management and resolution institutions. However, there is lack of peace and security “in my view” said Dr. Tesfaye “Number one challenge countries in the horn of Africa are facing is lack of peace and security”.
Professor Mengistu Urge, vice president for academic affairs, at his workshop closing speech mentioned that as it is known that Haramaya University has been assigned as a research University which most of the other universities did not get. The reason behind is based on the university’s current capacity in the assumption that the rest will fulfill it in the future. One of the criteria to be a research University is internationalization. In relation to this, the current project is working with five other Universities across the globe, Africa and Europe. Therefore, the project will fit and facilitate the University to fulfill the levels expected from Haramaya University and the expectation of ministry of education to give the full name of research University, and the project also helps the PhD students to accomplish their researches.
After eight researches are presented, the presentation, comments and suggestions forwarded from invited stakeholder guests and staffs. That brought the workshop to end.
By: Aweke Ayalneh
Photograph: Fuad Ahmed