Forty springs, forty nations, finding common ground for sustainable

IUC Programme Call 2015

Annex 1: Format for the concept note South

1/40

Format for an IUC programme application – Concept note South (Identification phase) Call Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) 2015

The format below is to be followed strictly when drafting a concept note proposal for an IUC. Project proposals exceeding 10 pages for the programme level information and 5 pages per project will not be accepted. The annexes are not included in these numbers.

GENERAL INFORMATION Max. 2 pages

Programme data

Country and region of the programme

Ethiopia, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State

Programme title (linked to strategic/thematic focus area)

Forty springs1, forty nations, finding common ground for sustainable development in the South Ethio-

pian Rift Valley.

Programme Summary (Focus of proposed strategic area(s)) and institutional strengthening activity)

The South Ethiopian Rift Valley is one of the frontier regions of Ethiopia where agricultural expansion is among

the fastest of the country. Hence, social and technical problems have been leading to ethnic tensions and severe

land degradation. Agricultural productivity is threatened by poor crop and animal husbandry while terrestrial and

aquatic biodiversity is dwindling due to poor natural resource management. Tropical infectious diseases and mal-

nutrition lead to high maternal and child mortality figures and overall poor health status. Hence, poor livelihoods

continue to prevail in rural areas despite tremendous development efforts of the government. Therefore, a well-

informed strategic development policy is required for the region. Academic and research institutions in the area

such as Arba Minch University are expected to deliver research based solutions which are technically sound and

socially acceptable. To comply with its mandate of providing quality education, conducting problem solving re-

search and rendering relevant community services in the area, capacity enhancement is of critical importance.

Project duration (pre-partner agreement)

The pre-partner programme envisaged will – if approved – last from the end of 2015 until 1st of January 2017,

after which we aim for 2 main project phases of five years each. In the present document we budget indicatively

only for the first of these 2 phases, with an emphasis on capacity building. Logically, we anticipate to complete

the full IUC cycle, from capacity building to consolidation, valorisation and post-IUC opportunities as described

in the IUC programme call of July 2015.

Expected date of project start (2 stages)

Pre-partner agreement – before the end of 2015. Eventual selected programmes start on 1 January 2017 with a

multiannual programme

Applying local university (institution and proposed local coordinator)

Name, faculty, department and unit Arba Minch University

Website www.amu.edu.et

Local coordinator Dr. Guchie Gulie Sulla

1 ‘Arba Minch’ is Am Haric for ‘forty springs’ referring to the many springs in the area. There are also about forty ethnic groups in

the area. Forty springs hence symbolizes the extreme diversity of the region in natural resources (soils, fauna and flora…) and people.



2/40

(Name, address, phone, e-mail address, function) Vice president for Research and Community Services

Phone: +251468810299

Mobile: +251911250668

Email: [email protected]

Arba Minch, PO. Box 21

Name(s) of the authority of the local institute (Rector,

Vice-Rector)

Dr. Feleke Woldeyes Gamo

President of Arba Minch University

Statute of the institute (private or public) Public University

Signature of the local rector

Signature of the proposed local coordinator



3/40

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION Please replace the explanatory text in the white cells with your own answers.

1. Description of the programme (max. 8 pages)

1.1. Objectives of the programme

Academic / developmental objectives

Overall academic objectives

1) To improve the capacity of academic and research staff

2) To improve the research and teaching facilities of the university

Due to the higher education expansion program during the first growth and transformation plan of Ethiopia a number

of new campuses with new programs have been launched at AMU. The limited number of experienced staff and the

dated infrastructure of AMU, however, has impeded the provision of quality education. Library and ICT facilities are

insufficient, information accessibility is poor and lab facilities below standard for teaching, learning and research

activities. With a dearth of qualified staff and up-to-date facilities, university education and research are falling short

to answer the challenges for a sustainable development in the region. In its strategic 5 year plan (see annex 4), AMU

wants to improve the quality of teaching and research through recruiting staff, upgrading facilities and training local

staff to MA/MSc, PhD and post-doc levels while removing the gender imbalance. However, such effort requires

international cooperation. Therefore, this proposal aims to fill the persistent gaps in human capacity (knowledge,

attitude, and skill), information management (ICT-Library) and research facilities through VLIR-UOS cooperation.

Overall development objectives

1) To capitalize on ethnic diversity as a tool to ensure sustainable livelihood and improved human health status in

the South Ethiopian Rift Valley system

2) To improve ecosystem services and agricultural productivity to sustain development in the South Ethiopian Rift

Valley system.

The South Ethiopian Rift Valley system hosts some forty ethnic groups. The basic economic activities in this area of

the country are agriculture, fishing, ecotourism and small trading. Traditional crop and animal husbandry are char-

acterized by very poor efficiency and low productivity. Consequently, poor livelihoods, food insecurity and poor health

status thrive in many parts of the region. Poor agricultural management has caused severe land degradation. This

aggravates terrestrial/aquatic biodiversity loss and challenges sustainable development. Hence, improving agricul-

tural productivity, socio-economic and health status and reversing land degradation are key for both the Ethiopian

and the VLIR-UOS country strategy. However, most of the research and academic institutions, including AMU, are

not sufficiently empowered to undertake quality research to generate policy recommendations on the above-men-

tioned issues. International cooperation as presented here has proven its value to come to viable and politically

acceptable transdisciplinary solutions.

1.2. Proposed focus areas (=projects) and institutional strengthening

Cooperation in the field of institutional policy or management

At present, institutional management is inconceivable without ICT/Library. Despite AMU’s strength in the provi-

sion of internet services (cable and wireless), the availability of video conference rooms, digital signage, an

operational student management information system, web hosting and – to a limited extent – e-learning, ICT at

AMU is not delivering the needed services to satisfaction. This infers from a near-lack of skilled staff and technical

training facilities, absence of a disaster recovery plan and facility, non-existing automated core library processes,

lack of an institutional repository system and limited process automation. Overall AMU still needs to develop its

institutional policies, standards and guidelines with respect to ICT. The collaboration through an IUC programme



4/40

will definitely fill gaps in all these areas and enhance AMU’s leverage to cope with the region’s development

issues.

Cooperation in the field of identified strategic themes

Arba Minch University has identified the following six thematic project areas which seamlessly fit with main

themes of VLIR-UOS such as food security and agriculture, environment and water, economic and social devel-

opment and health. Transversal support is sought through the mandatory project with its focus on ICT and Library

development

Project 1: Improving teaching and research processes of AMU by enhancing ICT and library automation.

Project 2: Embracing ethnic diversity to streamline livelihood strategies in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley

Project 3: Improving maternal and child health in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley

Project 4: Reversing land degradation for sustainable economic development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Project 5: Improving agricultural productivity in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Project 6: Biodiversity conservation for sustainable development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley

1.3. Link with the VLIR-UOS country strategy

Description of the link with the VLIR-UOS country specific strategic guidelines that have been elabo-rated for the country concerned. (see background documents)

Poverty eradication is the central target of development efforts of the Ethiopian government. Improving agricul-

tural productivity to ensure food security for most of the rural communities is on top of the agenda of the nation

to pave ways for an agriculture-led industrial economy. Protecting the environment and maintaining a healthy

productive community were also given due attention in the country’s Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE)

strategy. On the basis of these observations the VLIR- UOS country specific strategic document identified seven

main themes for country specific cooperation with Ethiopia.

Hence, the identified projects of AMU are a perfect match for the main strategic themes of VLIR-UOS: Food

Security and Agriculture, Environment and Water, Health, Economic and Social Development, and ICT and Li-

brary. In essence, the four first themes focus directly on several factors determining people’s livelihoods. Under-

standing how all the underlying factors (assets, resources, health, education among others) contribute to liveli-

hood in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley, is at the core of the proposed intervention. Therefore, it is a deliberate

choice that the project with the highest priority (P2 ‘Embracing ethnic diversity to streamline livelihood strategies

in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley system’) will be the one carrying out this overarching role. Positioning this

project upfront is only logical, as it will analyze the constraints and opportunities of the communities in the region

as the basis for designing sustainable solutions for development.

In the VLIR-UOS strategy document, alignment with the Ethiopian Government policy is emphasized where it

concerns an increased participation of women in higher education (HE). Ethiopia wants to increase female ad-

missions in HE from 13.8% to 30% in her 2014/15 strategic plan. As such, AMU has already taken the lead, with

female students now at 29%. Moreover, AMU has 13% female academic staff, about double the country’s aver-

age (4-7%). Nevertheless, AMU will maintain these efforts towards an equal gender balance and has policies in

place to this end. Last year AMU has appointed the female high achievers in each department and has a positive

discrimination policy. In all projects of this proposal, gender issues are implicitly present and will crosscut all

interventions, including the selection of staff and students.



5/40

Building capacity at all levels stands for empowering individuals to take control of their situation and leave the

vicious circle of poverty and lack of knowledge. The role of a university in a developing context cannot be under-

estimated, in finding science-based solutions for problems intricately related to the tortuous trajectory towards

sustainable development.

1.4. Academic/institutional relevance

Description of the link with the functioning of the university

The current expansion of Arba Minch University originates in the country’s ambition – as outlined in the 1st Growth

and Transformation Plan – to produce skilled and relevant manpower for the economic development of the na-

tion. The university is expected to produce highly qualified graduates, gender balanced, at different levels in

different disciplines and to conduct relevant research to feed policy improvement and strategic planning. The

problems identified and tackled in the different projects are reflecting the priorities of the strategic plan of the

university (annex 4). Yet, the university lacks trained staff at PhD level to contribute to quality research and

research based teaching. This cooperation with Flemish Universities will improve the performance of the uni-

versity both directly and indirectly. Direct effects are obvious through the jointly designed research plans, the

grants offered to reach PhD and/or MSc level or other training provided and through a general upgrade of specific

facilities. However, the indirect effects are potentially much more important as they pertain to empowering AMU

staff to become self-reliant, self-confident and proud scientists able to perform at an internationally respected

level and generate the necessary funds. As a consequence, AMU will gain and maintain a highly respected

position internationally which should attract scholars and students widely, thereby living up to the expectations

the public has of a university.

Please elaborate regarding the contribution that the partner university has made towards national development in the past and in particular in the context of poverty reduction (National Plan for Devel-opment, Poverty reduction Strategy Paper, etc. ) in max. 300 words.

Arba Minch university as a pioneer water technology institution has provided graduates in different water and

technology disciplines who are contributing in various development projects including the great Ethiopian renais-

sance dam.

The university colleges are young but they are delivering to their level best community services and policy rele-

vant information. The College of Business and Economics has been providing entrepreneurship training for un-

employed youths and has linked them with micro-finance enterprises for spin-off capital. The Institute of Tech-

nology has provided solar solutions to more than 20 rural health centres and schools to improve their services.

It has also improved the traditional ‘spate irrigation’ system allowing many farmers in Konso to produce crops.

The current poverty level in all districts of the Southern Nations, Nationalities Regional State was assessed by

the involvement of staff from different departments of AMU colleges. This provided relevant information for plan-

ning development activities in the region. The College of Agricultural Science is addressing problems impeding

animal productivity i.e. by artificial insemination of poor performing dairy cattle with semen from improved breeds

and by introducing improved poultry. The university has established a high land fruit and vegetables research

centre at Chencha and initiated research to improve crop productivity. Root crops and coffee are commonly

grown in Gamo Gofa area and are the main source of income for many farmers. Therefore, efforts to improve

root crop agronomy and coffee husbandry are undertaken to improve livelihood opportunities of the community

in the area.

In the past, when AMU was the ‘Water Technology Institute’, it has provided special training opportunities for low

level water professionals. Many of these professionals from disadvantaged regions throughout the country have

upgraded their educational level through this package. These trainings have empowered them as professionals

but more importantly have improved water management within many communities.

Description of the weaknesses of the institution that could be addressed through an IUC programme, as also the strengths which can be put in evidence.

Weaknesses

Lack of research based teaching.



6/40

Lack of staff incentive mechanism.

Limited access to information and knowledge (subscribed journals)

Limited trained man power at high level (PhD)

Poor ICT and library management.

Poorly equipped teaching and research laboratories.

Strengths

Its geographic position in the middle of an extremely challenging, ethnically diverse and interesting

environment, typical for the South Ethiopian Rift Valley system.

The potential lead role AMU can play for other regions in Ethiopia and beyond.

Arba Minch University has a number of post graduate programmes including two PhD programmes.

Three decades teaching and research experience in water and environment.

Presence of basic ICT infrastructure.

Presence of motivated young staff, better gender balanced than the country’s average.

Presence of a five year strategic plan in line with the Country’s development strategy.

Experience of collaboration with national and international organizations.

1.5. Link with other initiatives (complementarity/synergy/coherence)

Link with initiatives taken in the same domain with/by other organisations (local, regional, Belgian supported, etc.) and in other VLIR-UOS activities.

Arba Minch university (AMU) has established an agricultural research centre in Chencha district with the mandate

of improving crop and animal productivity and promoting appropriate agricultural technologies in the area and

contribute to food security of the local community. The university has also established a Biodiversity Research

centre, a water resource research centre and a Renewable energy Research centre with the mandates of con-

ducting biodiversity research and promoting biodiversity conservation; water resource management, irrigation

and drainage, hydrology, and soil and water conservation research; and assessing renewable energy resources

(biofuel, biogas, solar, small scale hydropower, etc.), respectively. All these centres were established to contrib-

ute to sustainable development and ecosystems management in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. In line with

these initiatives AMU has established the ‘Enset conservation park’ project by support from the Christensen

Fund. The VLIR-UOS Team project on ‘enset’ is a new initiative launched recently in collaboration with KU Leu-

ven as leading partner. Other projects include a VLIR-OI project (STRIPES) with KU Leuven and University of

Antwerp (started in 2011 and will end in 2015), WHATSAM (EU funded) (from Aug., 2012 to Aug., 2015)

project, WhaTeR (EU-funded) (from Oct., 2011 to June, 2015) project and SAHAY Solar project, AEEP (DAAD

funded project) (started in 2014 and will end in 2016) project on Entrepreneur Education and last but not least,

the StrongBow project with KU Leuven, University of Ghent and VU university Amsterdam (Nuffic funded).. The

anticipated IUC-AMU project is crucial to complement and enhance these initiatives and will solve research and

development challenges.



7/40

Figure 1. Problem tree indicating the main reasons for non-sustainable development in the South Ethiopian Rift

valley system. Apart from the ICT/Library project all other projects are indicated with the main problem they are

addressing.

The overall problem tree (Fig 1) shows the different planned interventions or projects and how they all contribute

to the same overall goal ‘Sustainable development in the South Ethiopian Rift valley system’. As they are meant

to be interdisciplinary, they are intimately linked to each other.

While the different projects appear as different entities, in practice the links are more than obvious and the over-

arching role of P2 LIVE cannot be underestimated. Hence, in execution, we shall ensure that a common research

platform will be created where cross-cutting will be maximized and a multidisciplinary approach becomes the

norm.

2. Programme priorities

Project/component Priority (absolute) Ranking (relative)

Project 1: Improving teaching and research process of AMU by enhancing ICT and library automation

Project 2: Embracing ethnic diversity to streamline liveli-hood strategies in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley system

Very high 1

Project 3: Improving maternal and child health in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Very high 2

Project 4: Reversing land degradation for sustainable eco-nomic development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.

High 3

Project 5: Improving agricultural productivity in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.

High 4

Project 6: Biodiversity conservation for sustainable devel-opment in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley

High 5



8/40

Phase I Projects Total budget for 5 years

Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5

Project 1: Improving teaching and research pro-cess of AMU by enhancing ICT and li-brary automation 100 85 75 65 65

Project 2: Embracing ethnic diversity to stream-line livelihood strategies in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley system 70 70 70 75 80

Project 3: Improving maternal and child health in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. 70 75 75 75 75

Project 4: Reversing land degradation for sus-tainable economic development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. 70 75 80 80 75

Project 5: Improving agricultural productivity in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. 70 75 80 80 75

Project 6: Biodiversity conservation for sustaina-ble development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley 70 70 70 75 80

Project ‘Programme support unit’ 120 120 120 120 120

Legend: Y:Year; Phase 1: strategic phase of 5 years.

3. Assumptions, preconditions, sustainability Describe in detail the preconditions and external factors that can influence the realisation of the ob-jectives of the programme (feasibility).

Arba Minch University is one of the fully fledged universities and belongs to the group of ‘first generation’ univer-

sities in the country. It has 36 PhD and 557 MSc academic and research staff with little experience in research

and seven (7) MSc/MA and 137 BSc/BA management staff to discharge its responsibilities.

Due to land degradation and mismanagement of aquatic and terrestrial resources in the South Ethiopian Rift

valley, an authority has been established under the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy and this authority

has signed an MoU with Arba Minch University to combat the problems in the Abaya-Chamo basin. The university

has also identified a research agenda to address the problems of sustainable development in the basin despite

its limited capacity. However, the Ethiopian public universities are expected to improve their research and teach-

ing capacity by attracting collaboration with foreign universities so as to contribute more effectively to the devel-

opment of the country.

The topics of the projects outlined in this programme are in line with the development strategies of the country

and the university. Therefore, full policy support is guaranteed during the implementation of the proposed pro-

gram. To corroborate this, it is illustrative to refer to the Second Growth and Transformation Plan of the Ethiopian

Government, in which a very specific ambition emerges to become a carbon-neutral economy in the long run

while at the same time poverty will be drastically reduced so that the country becomes a middle-income one by

2025. The full support of the Ethiopian government to initiatives like the one presented here – mainly addressing

sustainable development - can be assumed given its swift reply to the invitation from the United Nations Frame-

work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) to submit the so called ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contri-

butions’ (INDC) to substantially reduce its Greenhouse Gas emissions (for more info see: http://www4.un-

fccc.int/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Ethiopia/1/INDC-Ethiopia-100615.pdf). So far the inten-

tions of the Ethiopian Government are internationally appreciated not only as the most ambitious but also as the

most rationally underscored ones, giving proof of good governance by the Ethiopian leadership and its commit-

ment towards resilient economic development, taking due care of the environment and preparing for climate

change related hazards.

Under this programme six projects are proposed to holistically address the challenges of sustainable develop-

ment in the region. We are aware that even more projects should be identified in view of the massive challenges,

but we are also confident that the present six are key-ones (and the minimal number) that – upon successful

implementation – could trigger initiatives in other areas so filling gaps to design sustainable intensification in the

http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Ethiopia/1/INDC-Ethiopia-100615.pdf

http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Ethiopia/1/INDC-Ethiopia-100615.pdf



9/40

region. The proposal for resource allocation for the projects is based on the required facilities and the extent of

necessary field work. Of course, even though the budgets seem large, they are still tiny with respect to the scale

of the problem. It follows that when stipulating the exact interventions the utmost care will need to be given to

decide on the most strategic entry point and/or location with due consideration of stakeholders and beneficiaries

who will ultimately take the findings further. Hence, in every project, we will go through great lengths to make

sure that activities will be well documented for, and well supported by the local communities. The central position

taken by the ‘livelihood’ project P2, in the problem tree (Fig 1) implies such participation: understanding liveli-

hoods and the underlying factors is at the basis of any intervention aiming at sustainable change for the better.

It all starts with appreciating the constraints and opportunities – and its vast diversity - of the main stakeholders,

i.e. the rural poor.

Institutional staff turnover may remain a threat to the successful accomplishment of the programme. As a pre-

caution, it can be dealt with by considering more than one project leader and in any case spread project respon-

sibility over more members in each project. Moreover, it will remain possible to replace and add project team

members. We are confident as well that staff turnover will be controlled with time as the team members will find

job satisfaction in the execution of the intended interventions which should lead to visible impact as the pro-

gramme unfolds. AMU will become an attractive hub for scientists to remain rather than to leave for greener

pastures.

The Government purchasing policy with its notoriously long and tortuous steps of bureaucracy needs the atten-

tion of the project and requires to negotiate a specific strategy for the goods and services to be procured under

the project.

As most programme activities deal with environmental factors, natural hazards, perhaps due to climate change,

the latter may affect the accomplishment of the programme. This risk will be dealt with by spreading activities

over the region so as to ensure results to the maximum extent possible.

Possibilities for attracting funds do exist but remain hitherto underused by AMU. Linking with the CGIAR, seeking

support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the African Development Bank, bilateral and multilateral

donor organisations are only some of the many possibilities that will become gradually accessible as capacity at

AMU is growing. It can be taken for granted that during the project, several workshops on project writing will be

held, while the process leading to the present one can be seen as a good start.

Describe the opportunities and challenges for the sustainability of benefits (capacity retention, con-tinuation of research activities, etc.) after VLIR-UOS funding (sustainability).

The issue of staff retention and continuation of the research efforts have been dealt with in earlier paragraphs

but ultimately aggregate around the creation of a productive work environment, where scientists and support

staff find job satisfaction in its intrinsic character and impact.

As explained before, the VLIR-UOS model of cooperation inherently holds the seeds for sustainability. As the

programme funds cooperation, it empowers people to take control of their situation by exposing them to the

right tools, people, facilities and expertise. This should be their ammunition that can be used to acquire new

funds from within or outside the country and is – very much like for any university in the world, whether in a

developed or developing context – the only possible one. Some of the existing possibilities are listed in the

previous paragraphs. And of course, also the growing economy of Ethiopia will avail more and more funds to be

used for higher education and research. All this while bearing in mind that scientists are more attracted by an

inspiring and challenging work environment where scientific excellence flourishes, than by immediate gains in

terms of salary.

Empowerment is the keyword and taking control of the challenging situation. Triggering this mind change is the

ultimate objective of this programme.

Reflections on possible strategies to retain staff members, strengthen the research culture, strengthen networking, and to make external cooperation possible.

Apart from the impact on ‘mind change’ a project like this may exert with positive outcomes on willingness of

staff to stay, because of the changed environment and enhanced work atmosphere, AMU has some policies in

relation to this. For instance, as a condition to attend training abroad through AMU programmes, the staff needs



10/40

to sign a contract agreement to serve the university after completion of the training. Moreover, the degree/ cer-

tificate may also be handed to the staff through AMU and while possibilities of joint degrees will be investigated.

On top of this, a retention strategy may need to be complemented with other incentives such as provision of a

house on campus or improved housing allowance, improving research facilities, fostering a research culture on

campus and avail research funds as much as possible. A long-term cooperation project like the one presented

will trigger international networking, and AMU will grasp such opportunity to expose its staff maximally to external

expertise by inviting all visitors to present seminars, teach classes or participate in scientific discussions. In turn,

project partners will be encouraged to include AMU in other research networks wherever possible.

As stated above, cooperation like the one proposed here is all about empowerment and hence is restoring pride

among research staff, following an enhanced impact in the targeted communities.

4. Annexes to be added

By the promoters (through the IUC coordination and related ICOS)

Annex 1: Project proposal This document: IUC_AMU_annex1_final1609.pdf

Annex 2: Candidacy form local coordinator (+ CV)

IUC_AMU_annex_2_final1609.pdf and Guchie_cv_final.pdf

Annex 3: Institutional fact sheet annex_3_AMU_fact_sheet_final.xlsx

Annex 4: Mission statement and strategic plan of the university

AMU-strategy_final_1609.pdf

Annex 5: CVs tentative project leaders

CVs tentative project leaders, for projects 1 to 6

Annex 6: Endorsement of the proposal by the rector and pro-posed local coordinator of the university

Feleke endorsement.jpeg Guchie endorsement.jpeg



11/40

Project 1: Sustainable ICT and Library development in Arba Minch University

1. Description of the project context

1.1. Background of the project

Original idea and steps undertaken to elaborate the idea.

Arba Minch University (AMU) currently has five campuses in the city of Arba Minch, interconnected by an optical fiber network. It has more than 20,000 students and 4000 employees, depending on reliable information and computing technology services.

The University’s Information and Communication Technology Directorate (ICTD) and Library System are the two major units serving the diverse information need of the university communities. While ICTD is responsible for implementation, management and support of the University’s ICT services, and the library system provides ac-cess to scholarly information resources. Currently ICTD administers computer facilities throughout all campuses. Almost all administrative and academic offices and all computer facilities are networked and connected to inter-net. AMU has a broadband internet connection of 200 Mbps. Other infrastructure including four video conference rooms, digital signage, Voice over internet telephony, network based security cameras and wireless internet access are in place. Services such as web hosting, e-Learning, email, student management information and digital library system are provided under the administration of ICTD. On the other hand, the university library system also underwent continuous progress and brought changes in services and infrastructures. It established five more branch libraries in each campus. Recently, the library system has started automation of core library services (acquisition, catalogue, circulation and loans), yet only the Online public access catalogue (OPAC) service is implemented.

Even though AMU has maintained its motivation to improve ICT and Library services from its own means, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, support and improve the existing services and infrastructure. It is necessary to undertake capacity building in collaboration with partners to expand the capabilities of the team in order to upgrade the level of ICT and library services. The Flemish partner’s previous projects in the country, particularly support in ICT and library services of Universities, have significantly improved their capacity and services. AMU’s existing successful relationships with Flemish universities in past and on-going projects were the trigger to seek further cooperation through this timely project proposal.

History of the collaboration / antecedents Antecedents – please indicate whether this project proposal is a continuation of an existing project, actions already undertaken, or a project in finalisation phase. Describe that project in 10 lines.

The idea of AMU collaboration with Flemish Universities began when Prof. S. Deckers visited AMU in 2008 with a number of colleagues, answering the invitation for a project identification mission made by Dr. Tarekegn Tadesse (former AMU president). Both parties expressed interest to initiate joint research projects with VLIR support to build multidisciplinary research capacity at AMU. Since then, two projects have been launched in collaboration with Flemish universities and the projects are being implemented with success. The project de-scribed in this document is new and focuses on issues related to improving the University’s ICT and library service.

1.2. Presentation of the project partners

Local project partners

Local project team (Involved staff next to the promoter and co-promoters already mentioned on page 1. Professors, assistants, (administrative) collaborators, etc.; involved departments/universities.)

Involved Staff:

Dr Hussien Seid (PhD in computer science)-PL

Mr Tamerat Chane(MSC in Computer science),

Mr Hayleyesus Abera (MSc in Electronic and Digital Resource Management )

Mr Alazar Baharu (MSc in Computer Science)

Mr Ian Dutton (BSc in Computer Science) Involved Departments:

Computer science and IT

ICTD

Library

Capacities and strategic interest (as they relate to the project)

The team includes academic lecturers and researchers, and ICT profes-sionals. Security, process automation, policy and standards, backup and



12/40

disaster recovery, power provision and management, and grid compu-ting, collaboration and communication, information and library services, and technical training are specific areas of interest,.

Experience (academic, international) of the promoter

Warehouse and Inventory Management client side Project Manager. AMU IP based Security Surveillance Camera Project Coordinator. AMU Unified ID card system project local coordinator. E-learning Workshop at AMU in collaboration with Fachhochschule, Neu-Um, University of Applied Science, Coordinator. International Robotics Challenge in collaboration with IIT, Mumbai, Local coordinator. 12 years teaching at undergraduate level, 4 years at postgraduate level. PhD in Audio Signal Processing (International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad), India).

Links to other relevant national and international collaborating institutes (name, nature) and society in a broader sense (government, NGO, etc.)

Ethiopia Higher Education Research Network (Ethernet) – Ministry of Education. Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Partner national Universities and educational institutions with skill shar-ing and consulting programmes. VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas). PERI (INASP) coordinated by Addis Ababa University for E-journal avail-ability.

Other involved actors (if applicable)

Name and function of the actor International expatriate staff, academic staff

Major (project related) activities Available for assistance to call on as required. It is possible to use avail-able expatriate staffs whenever demand arises.


Historically, this has been with Electrical Engineering and Computer Sci-ence. For example, assistance with power management issues (Electri-cal Engineering staff), and involvement with software development train-ing (Computer Science).

Reasons for which the actor is in-volved in the project

A number of expatriate staff have expertise and exposure to tools and resources that local staff may have limited experience in. For example, geographical information systems, and software development. Drawing on their support can assist in furthering the usage of ICT in learning-teaching and potentially in training and workshops.


Description of the link with the VLIR-UOS country specific strategic guidelines that have been elabo-rated for the country concerned.(see background documents)

The project entitled ‘Sustainable ICT and Library development in Arba Minch University’ fits within the VLIR-UOS country strategy specific for Ethiopia. The VLIR-UOS country strategy related to Higher Education and Research in Ethiopia identified ‘ICT and Information Management’ as one of the crosscutting support themes, which in turn is also mentioned as one of the highest priority intervention areas in Ethiopia’s GTP. ICT and Information service centers, like libraries, serve as the cornerstones to empower universities to address development challenges. This project is a first-step forward in this process, centered in AMU, which is a key player in the development of the South Ethiopia Rift Valley and the country as a whole.

1.4. Link with other initiatives (complementarity/synergy)

Link with initiatives taken in the same domain by other organisations (local, regional, Belgian, etc.) and in other VLIR-UOS activities.

In order to take advantage of the training opportunities, AMU is a partner with the Cisco Networking Academy and initial agreements are in place to take part in Microsoft and Oracle training. Currently, the library (Information and Library Services) is working with PERI (INASP) with Addis Ababa University as the coordinator with respect to the availability of E-journals. Also the NUFFIC-sponsored STRONGBOW project supports the purchase of library books, digitization materials and capacity building. ADLSN and CEARL help in capacity building and DE-CODE finances information materials and builds computing facilities.



13/40

1.5. Beneficiaries / target group

Description of the direct beneficiaries (specific objective) and indirect beneficiaries and stakeholders (external groups that are affected by the implementation of the project), their interest, attitude and possible role.

Students: access to enriched scholarly materials and information services, gain research and project experience Academic staff: deliver quality teaching-learning activity, short- and long term trainings, conduct quality projects

& research Researcher: conduct quality projects & research Administrative ICT and Library staff: Opportunities for joint PhD, & MSc; knowledge & technology transfer AMU administration: Student admin; exam admin; accounting

1.6. Problem analysis

General and national presentation of the sector / development problem treated in the project, as well as the political lines (development problem related to the sector analysis)

Many ICT projects offer less than 5 % service from its intended functionality of the equipment or implemented system. This common observation can be viewed from two different angles. On the one hand it may reflect a lack of knowledge on how to use systems and on the other hand it is a result of our poor culture of system usage.

It is difficult to attract, recruit, and retain skilled ICT and information management professionals within Ethiopia. There can be a limited exposure to or awareness or acceptance of ICT and Library facilities at the management and administrative level even in many larger institutions that are increasingly relying on ICT to deliver services. Initiatives include formalisation of ICT and Library roles and salary scales in government institutions which has gone some way to addressing the issue. However, educational institutions can struggle to progress beyond the basics without specifically championing and promotion of ICT and support at a senior level within an organisation.

It is difficult to obtain required resources (hardware/software and even trained manpower) on the local market. Hardware is often not available or proves unreliable. Necessary software licenses can be purchased through specific projects via suppliers who successfully bid, but license renewal following implementation, or direct pur-chase is not straightforward. Procurement can be an almost unimaginably prolonged process and often fails, particularly where more specialized resources are involved. Resources that are obtained are not always stored, installed or managed in a manner that will support long term use.

The power supply is often unreliable and equipment requires continuous attention and maintenance. General infrastructure is often poorly maintained and not always suitable for installation of ICT equipment (dust, lack of temperature control, uncontrolled access…) or even a Library.

Policies, standards, and guidelines do not always exist. Where they do, they are not always fully documented, made available, or adhered to.

There is limited local expertise and budget availability to address these issues and to take additional steps or initiatives to prevent or limit the impact, or recover from failure.

There is currently focus at the national level by the Government to address infrastructural issues. There is also a national programme to increase the number of graduating students in ICT and Library.

Analysis of the capacity constraints the partners are confronted with (academic problem)

There is limited local expertise availability to address the problems of maintaining a high level of ICT infrastruc-ture and services, develop a comprehensive Disaster & Recovery Plan and Protocols, develop institutional ICT and Library service policies, standards and guidelines, and take additional steps or initiatives to prevent or limit the impact, or recover from failure.

2. Description of the project

Summary

Specific Objective

To support the development of skilled, qualified ICT staff capable of implementing, administering and maintaining a high level of ICT infrastructure and services

To implement a well-equipped training facility to support planned and ongoing technical training

To develop institutional ICT and Library service policies, standards and guidelines

To develop a comprehensive Disaster & Recovery Plan and Protocols

To automate core library services to provide quality information services

To develop a safe institutional data repository The expected results in line with achieving the objectives will be:

Well trained and motivated staff with the required level of knowledge and skills to undertake their roles



14/40

Well managed and reliable Infrastructure

Data storage facility with backup and recovery

Virtual campus showing all utility lines of the university graphically to the highest label of accuracy.

Properly secured network, data & information systems

Fully-fledged ICT support and highly utilized ICT for academic activities: research, teaching-learning, and administration

Institutional visibility and outreach to the community are improved

Describe the developmental relevance of the project.

Currently, the Ethiopian government is working rigorously to eradicate poverty within a short period of time, drafting a comprehensive policy and strategy framework referred as the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP). Development of ICT services and infrastructure is one of the issues given highest priority, in particular in Higher Education Institutions. This project has a significant relevance for AMU to create a well-educated human re-source capacity, equipped with knowledge and information skills. AMU will support this by making ICT services and infrastructure as integral part of its education system.

For research activities, please elaborate the proposed research methodology and process.

Not mandatory

3. Needs assessment and sustainability

Describe in detail the capacity of the local unit, preconditions and major problems that could be en-countered as also potential external influencing factors (feasibility).

The majority of ICTD and Library staff are Diploma holders, working within the University whilst also continuing their education. However they are keen to learn and improve their skills and take advantage of new opportunities. The same is true of bachelor holders. The aim is to educate them and strive for better performance. There are currently also four MSc students and 15 BSc students undertaking studies locally.

The ICTD and Library do not engage directly in research (other than those members of staff undertaking individ-ual MSc or BSc). The ICTD is responsible for supporting and providing ICT based systems and services for the academic community and supporting staff, whereas the information management wing will provide information service to the community. There is currently limited experience in the development and implementation of these systems. Staff however are aware and are exposed to the tools and software involved.

The Ministry of Education allocates the budget for University expenditure. In practice the University budget is managed internally for improving ICT and Library services and infrastructures. Even direct support or commit-ment at the senior level is available for ICT and library expenditure and procurement, it is necessary for all players in the process to be committed for successful completion.

Departmental and research based international collaboration is not uncommon within the University. There are a number of senior staff who have experience in this area. Within ICT there is also experience in dealing with procurement and with suppliers with international links.

The basic ICT infrastructure and library services are in place, including cross campus wired and wireless network, datacentre and established branch libraries. There are issues with power fluctuations and unreliable power sup-ply which are being addressed on an ongoing basis.

As all the challenges mentioned above faced and addressed by some other institutions, through a collaboration, it is possible to learn from others. Hence through this project collaboration is sought to organize experience exchange programs, sustainable collaboration among similar institution around the globe and organizing training campaigns.

Describe the opportunities and challenges for the sustainability of benefits (capacity retention, con-tinuation of research activities, etc.)

To retain the knowledge and skills required to sustain services, continual training -on-the-job and in workshops -, an internal knowledge sharing platform, and increasing use of the University’s communications system to manage ICT based activities has already contributed significantly. Through the presented project, it is expected that exposure to international experts and a continuous update on technical issues will help in creating an attrac-tive work environment where the incentive to stay on the job is derived from the satisfaction coming from the achievements. Support for staff to continue education, and undertake additional training programmes, leading to certification - Cisco CCNA, or LPIC for example - is currently only available on a more ad hoc basis depending on budget availability.



15/40

Relevant training can be made available to staff and a training facility set up to support this. There is already some in-house experience of delivering Cisco training to staff and students as a Cisco Academy. Training pro-grammes can be expanded to ensure skills are retained and available within the wider recruitment pool (staff are often recruited from graduating classes). Maintaining a training facility and consulting service has the potential to be an income generator and will also be an incentive to help retain skilled staff.



16/40

Project 2: 'Embracing ethnic diversity to streamline livelihood strategies in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley system




Problem identification took place in response to the VLIR-UOS call through various stakeholder meetings. The major problems in the Lake Abaya-Chamo basin were identified by participants. Environmental degradation, low agricultural productivity, poor livelihood, poor health and natural resource depletion were the most important. Based on identified problems different teams were formed grouping diverse specializations. Our team was formed to focus on socio-economic issues. Following a thorough investigation of the problem we confirmed that non-sustainable livelihood strategies practiced by local communities are a major contributing factor to poor live-lihood in the area. Due to this problem, the poverty status and quality of life among communities in the project area remains far below the standard. For example, more than one third of population spends below the poverty line for their daily consumption requirements. Vulnerability to poverty ranks much higher compared to the national level which stood at 44.6% (Endale, 2011). Solving this problem is in line with the poverty eradication goal of the Ethiopian government. Over the next five years (2015/16-2020/21), the second Growth &Transformation Plan (GTP2) envisions a major leap in terms of not only sustaining rapid economic growth but also ensuring sustain-able livelihood strategies to increase quality of life.

The problem of poor livelihood is very common in the South Ethiopian Rift valley and particularly in the Abaya-Chamo Lake basin where a large number of ethnic groups strive for livelihood. Excessive dependence on natural resources is frequently resulting in ethnic tensions in the area. Resolving these problems requires well-developed human capital and significant financial support which neither the university nor the local government can provide. Hence, external assistance and collaboration are of high importance. Specifically, collaboration with Flemish universities through VLIR-UOS offers a unique opportunity, in view of the well-known positive experiences in Mekelle and Jimma universities.

History of the collaboration / antecedents

The history of collaboration between Arba Minch University and VLIR-UOS started in 2008. Since that time, collaboration, research and staff development activities have been going on with different colleges/departments of Arba Minch University and several Flemish universities (KU Leuven, UGent and UAntwerpen). However, so far, no specific collaboration exists with the College of Business &Economics. In view of; (i) the urgency of the problem and (ii) the inadequate capacity of the team, there is a strong need to establish collaboration on the proposed project.


Local project team (Involved staff next to the promoter and co-promoters already mentioned on page 1. Professors, assis-tants, (administrative) collaborators, etc, ; in-volved depart-ments/universities.)

Local project team

1. Ashenafi Duguma (MA in development economics), project leader, Department of economics

2. Abebe Habte (PhD), Department of economics, (member) 3. Getah Kelemework (MA), Department of management (member) 4. Dereje Freed (MSc), Department of accounting and finance (member) 5. Defaru Debebe(MSc), Department of statistics (member) Supporting team members

1. Bayissa Faye PhD student at KU Leuven in Belgium, Department of Anthropology 2. Rahel Elias (MSc), Arba Minch University, Business and development vice-presi-

dent 3. Mesfin Menza(MSc), Arba Minch University, Dean of college of business and eco-

nomics 4. Mohammed Beshir(MSc),Head of Department of economics

Collaborators

College of social science and humanities

Research and community service offices

Capacities and strate-gic interest (as they re-late to the project)

The team is composed of senior staff with accumulated knowledge and experience as well as young, energetic and motivated persons. The team members are academicians with an interest in providing quality education supported by evidence through practical research.



17/40

Experience (aca-demic, international) of the promoter

The project leader has academic, non-academic and research experience. As academic staff he has 6 years of experience working in the University. He has also worked from an academic environment in microfinance institutions in relation to improved livelihood through micro-financing of poor households. In addition, he has worked with World Vision Ethiopia (NGO) on a project titled as “Increased household income for improved live-lihood” and an Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) project funded by Wa-

geningen University of the Netherlands in final project impact evaluation.

Links to other relevant national and interna-tional collaborating in-stitutes (name, nature) and society in a broader sense (gov-ernment, NGO, etc.)

The unit has well-established national and international links., Netherland Universities on Niche project VU (University of Amsterdam) on STRONGBOW project Ethiopian Economic Association on research and publications(NGO) Ethiopian entrepreneurship development centre(Government)South region bu-

reau of culture and tourism(Government) Woreda bureau of finance and development and (Government) Woreda bureau of agriculture and rural development (Government) Mercy corps Ethiopia (NGO) World Vision Ethiopia (NGO)



The VLIR-UOS country specific strategy for Ethiopia emphasises capacity building in line with assuring poverty reduction and sustainable development. Improving livelihoods directly links with the ‘Economic and Social De-velopment’ thematic area of collaboration identified by VLIR-UOS. In relation to sub thematic-areas of socio-economy, marketing extension and cultural issues this is explicit. The existing problem of poor livelihood as a result of non-sustainable livelihood strategies is a persistent constraint in realising sustainable development.

Since this is at the apex of sustainable development, this project receives the highest priority in this programme.


Livelihood improvement is also the focus of different Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations. These are for instance ‘Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples Region’; the ‘Bureau of Finance and Devel-opment’ on poverty reduction and ‘World Vision Ethiopia’ which works on highland fruits to improve livelihood. In addition, AMU worked in a VLIR-UOS project on sustainable development of Nechisar National Park to improve livelihood in the Ethiopian South Rift-Valley.


Direct Benefi-ciary

Role Benefit Indirect Benefi-ciary

Role Benefit

1. Arba Minch University

Implementa-tion

Facilitation Control

Qualified human resource

Developed re-search facilities

International ex-posure

1. Govern-mental & non-gov-ernmental organiza-tions

Hire quali-fied stu-dents

Use re-search outputs

Effi-ciency & effec-tiveness

Achieve organi-zational goal

2.Local commu-nity

Participation

Use research out puts on sustainable liveli-hood strategies Improved liveli-

hood

2.Community outside the project area

Adopt re-search outputs

Positive exter-nality

Im-proved liveli-hood

3.North partners (collaborating Universities)

Provide Promoters &

advisors Trainers, Facility &

funds

Increased expo-sure for prob-lems of develop-ing countries

3.Development agencies in north

Coopera-tion

Funding

Realize devel-opmen-tal ob-jectives



18/40


The Ethiopian government aims at developing an environmentally resilient, green economy. In line with this, improving livelihood of rural as well as urban populations is at the heart of the second growth and transformation plan. Due to its importance for food security and poverty reduction, different governmental and non-governmental organizations give due emphasis to sustainable livelihood strategies. Improving livelihood contributes largely to sustainable development by reducing excessive dependence on natural resources, reducing food insecurity, improving social wellbeing and reducing migration and child labour. Improving livelihood is one of the key considerations in developing states like Ethiopia. As a result, national economic policies and strategies aim at improving livelihood through livelihood diversification (e.g. rural job cre-ation, micro and small scale enterprises, agricultural commercialization and micro financing packages are some of them). The problem of poor livelihood persists in the proposed project area for different reasons. Some of the major causes that were identified during the stakeholders meeting and a desk-review were non-sustainable livelihood strategies, low land and labour productivity and inefficient institutional & organizational systems. The root causes were mainly related to a limited capacity (human, financial, physical and natural), institutional inefficiency and traditional beliefs and practices.


In the process of improving the livelihood of local communities, Arba Minch University has been contributing through graduating qualified manpower, conducting relevant research and delivering community services. How-ever, the results were insufficient due to two basic reasons. Firstly, the university has limited qualified academi-cians in tertiary education and in research. Secondly, its educational facilities such as library, laboratory and ICT are well below standards of a respectable organisation. As a consequence, the university lacks substantial and relevant field experience in the area of sustainable livelihood strategies.


Description of the specific objective(s) of the proposed project as also the expected results

Summary

Specific academic objectives will be (i) to increase qualified academic and research staff in the field of sus-

tainable livelihoods, (ii) to capacitate the university through database centres & quality publications, (iii) to in-

crease international exposure of academic staff through international collaboration and participation in interna-

tional scientific events.

Specific developmental objectives will be (i) to enable the local community in adopting diversified sustainable

livelihood strategies, (ii) to reduce vulnerability of the local community towards risks and shocks, (iii) to alleviate

ethnic tensions through a better understanding and appreciation of cultural identity and livelihood and (iv) to

improve the food security status of the local community and (v) to enhance coping mechanisms in case of natural

hazards

Expected results will be (i) Qualified academicians and researchers trained, (ii) a well-developed academic

and research infrastructure is created, (iii) increased international exposure of the unit and more collaboration,

(iv)joint PhD programmes on livelihood and development established, (v) improved and sustainable livelihoods

through socially acceptable and culturally diversified livelihood strategies, (vi) an increased number of risk and

shock resilient households and (vii) improved food security and overall well-being in the region.


There will be two categories of research activities. The first one will be a baseline study to identify the existing

socio-economic context of the study area. The second one will be PhD dissertations in relation to livelihood.

Possible subjects of these may be:

1. The role of diversified sustainable livelihood strategies for food security

2. Impact of poor livelihood on natural resource use and resource use based ethnic conflicts

3. Effect of sub-optimal market and value chain on household’s livelihood

4. The effects of social institutions and cultural beliefs on livelihood

5. The determinants of poor livelihood and their impact on optimal use of natural resources



19/40

A qualitative and quantitative approach will be used based on the specific objectives of the project using different

data collection tools such as household survey, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Focus Group Discus-

sions (FGD). In addition, a livelihood matrix will be used for quality data collection on the livelihood profile of the

community. In order to identify determinants of poor livelihood, an econometric analysis will be applied. Market

and value chain analysis will also be implemented for optimal identification of marketing systems.


Relevance of the project can be derived from the following three arguments:

1. One among the eight MDGs is reducing poverty through improved livelihood strategies, which will have a

direct impact on sustainable development. Improving livelihood has a direct link with socio-economic de-

velopment theme of VLIR-UOS, as stated in country strategic document for cooperation considering Ethi-

opian demands and Flemish interest/expertise for cooperation.

2. Ethiopia is one of the developing countries in which poor livelihood is major challenge to realize sustainable

development. As a result, the country is striving for rapid economic growth but facing a trade off in devel-

oping environmentally a resilient green economy. Hence, enhancing sustainable and diversified livelihood

will be of a great importance for realising such goal.

3. One of the expected outcomes of this project will be an increased number of qualified graduate and post

graduate academic staff at AMU. This will bring a positive developmental impact by increasing the quality

of education and research which is at the heart of the national GTP2 and the five year strategic plan of the

university.

In addition, Ethiopia has launched a project that addresses basic needs under the name “Protection of Basic

Services (PBS) Project”, which became effective in mid-2006 and has a direct link to livelihood. Therefore, the

project will give great importance to the sustainable development of the country by contributing to the achieve-

ment of a sustainable economic development goal.



major (research) orientation and activities

The unit comprises two colleges with 15 socio-economic departments. The major activities of the unit are training

qualified students, research for the community, extension services and technology transfer. The unit undertook

research on topics related to poverty, food security, ecotourism, organizational and human resource manage-

ment, agricultural productivity, optimal natural resource use and cultural issues.

human resources (personnel numbers, status and level)

The unit has a total of 620staff of which 220 are academic and 400 administrative. Only 24 (11%) are PhD

holders, 164 (74.5%) Master’s degree and 32(14.5%) are with first degree. From the 24 PhD holders, 14 are

expatriate staff which means local staff with PhD constitute only 4.5% of academic staff.

financial resources (annual budget Y 2014/2015 - donors)

Total budget of the unit for the year 2014/15 was € 2,270,496.22 which was allotted to staff salaries, purchase

of academic inputs, research, extension service, students field visit, ICT, library and for some additional con-

struction (expansion). From this total budget, only 1.8% was allotted for research activities, impeding quality

research.

experience handling international projects

The unit has experience in handling international projects, for example, ‘Strongbow’ and ‘Niche’ projects(NUF-

FIC).

linkages (internal - in the university - and external, both national and international)

The unit has a strong linkage with different local universities and research units. In addition, the unit also has

linkage with international universities in Belgium, The Netherlands, UK, Italy, Norway and Germany.



20/40

most important problems the unit is facing

Lack of funds is the most important constraint for the unit that has ambitious plans in line with GTP2 in the area

of staff capacity building, quality research and facilities/logistics.

means as compared to needs

Currently, all activities of the unit are undertaken by a scarce budget that the ministry of education availed. With

the figures reported above, it is clear that capacity of academic staff remains limited, the volume and quality of

research severely constrained while education and research facilities remain poor.

scope for collaboration

The unit is in need of collaboration with national and international universities in the area of capacity building,

research facilities and experience sharing.

scope for south-south linkage

There is ample opportunity for national south-south linkage in the area of livelihood improvement of communities

living in Abaya-Chamo Lake basin. The South Ethiopian Rift Valley houses a number of logical partners for AMU:

Hawassa University in the North-East, Wolaita Soddo University in the North-West and Dilla University in the

South-East. Collaboration between these universities will improve livelihood in the valley by creating a coordi-

nated effort, reducing duplication of activities and optimal use of scarce resources.

In addition, Arba Minch university will seek collaboration with other universities in the south having a well-estab-

lished link with Flemish Universities. Possible areas of collaboration could be research and experience sharing

on sustainable development in religiously and ethnically diversified communities.

Describe the opportunities and challenges for the sustainability of benefits (capacity retention, continuation of research activities, etc.)

Opportunities for sustainability of project benefits are;

1. Qualified academicians and researchers will return and serve in the home country by undertaking prob-

lem solving research.

2. Possibility of extension of collaboration with proposed partner through launching joint PhD programmes

which will assure sustainable capacity building and academic quality.

3. The continuation of collaboration with other partners stimulated by the project will widen the scale and

sustainability of international collaboration

4. Project built research facilities(vehicles and database centres) can serve beyond project lifecycle and

capacitate the university to achieve institutional and developmental objectives.

As a result of the above opportunities, capacity of academicians and research activities will be sustainably re-

tained.

Challenges for sustainability of the project benefits are;

1. Brain drain: this will remain a challenge for the sustainability of the project benefits. As the quality of

teaching skills and research experience enhances, national and international demand for such human

resource increases. Coupled with a low incentive at local universities due to low level of overall eco-

nomic development, it remains a challenge to retain such qualified academicians. We can only repeat

what is stated in the programme description: empowering academic staff in a challenging research

environment to reach impact is an important while not exclusive part to create job satisfaction.

2. Maintenance cost of research facilities. If funds for maintaining project built research facilities such as

vehicle, office equipment and database centres are not secured, this could adversely affect project

benefit sustainability. Again, new funds will have to be sought by the empowered staff, which is what

capacity building is all about.



21/40

Project 3: Improving Maternal and Child Health in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley, Southern Ethiopia.




Health of a nation is its critical determinant of economic growth. “Health is not everything in life, but without health, life is

nothing”. There is also a correlation between economic development and high life expectation. Reduction in adult mortality

rates accounts for about 11% of recent economic growth (Jamison, Lau and Wang, 2006).

Ethiopia is a country with high maternal and child mortality, both of which are mainly associated with reproductive health

problems, malnutrition and morbidities. Empowering women, providing health education and improving the access and

utilization of primary health care services can significantly reduce maternal and childhood mortality rates.

Malnutrition is among the top contributing factors for high mortality of children under 5. According to the World Health

Organization, malnutrition is the underlying contributing factor in about 45% of all child deaths, making children more

vulnerable to diseases. Maternal malnutrition, poor feeding practices (both complementary feeding and breastfeeding),

food insecurity, and poor public health practices are contributing to child and infant mortality. The prevalence of stunting

(40%), underweight (25%) and wasting (10%) is extremely high in Ethiopia (Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Sur-

vey, 2014). This is not only affecting the present-day well-being of the population, it leaves scars such as mental retarding

which may compromise present and future generations.

In Ethiopia, maternal mortality is high and it is associated with malnutrition. Only a small proportion of the deliveries is

attended by skilled health personnel. Very little ante and postnatal care and insufficient family planning services provide

coverage. The first Growth and Transformational Plan (GTP) review report indicates that skilled health professionals

attended only 15 % of all deliveries and only 13 % of mothers benefited from postnatal health services (MoFED, 2010).

These problems are also very common in the Abaya/Chamo catchment area. Especially the low decision power of women

to use the existing services has been indicated as a root cause for the many maternal deaths.

The South Ethiopian Rift Valley harbors many infectious diseases contributing to the morbidity and mortality. Poor hy-

gienic practices, poor safe water supply, near absence of environmental sanitation and poor housing are conditions to

blame for this. The Ethiopian Government has given attention to reduce the maternal and child mortality. While substantial

progress has been made, maternal and child mortality figures are still high (672/100,000, 261 per 1000 live births respec-

tively). The maternal and health improvement is the key to the improvement of the health of the population in general.

Evidence based and action oriented interventions can be achieved through integration of research and community ser-

vices. The issue of infectious diseases may link up with the risk of population health and even malnutrition. For instance,

a none- integrated small scale irrigation project designed to resolve the problem of food insecurity, a main cause for

malnutrition, may put individuals at risk of malaria and other vector borne diseases.

Given the inadequacy of the annual budget of the unit, receiving mostly funds from the university, the additional funding

sought through this proposal is crucial to raise the standards of research, teaching and community service in this domain

in order to have a clear and positive impact on maternal and child health in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. Therefore,

this research-oriented multidisciplinary project will generate the required evidence to feed policies towards improved

health development of the mothers and children in particular and the society at large.


AMU and Flemish Universities have or had interuniversity collaboration since 2008 (Between former president of AMU, Dr.

Tarekegn Tadesse and Professors Seppe Deckers and Prof Luc Duchateau), mostly through VLIR-UOS interventions. How-

ever, for VLIR-UOS, the collaboration with AMU College of Medicine health sciences (CMHS) is the first in its kind.



Local project team (Involved staff next to the promoter and co-promoters already mentioned on page 1. Professors, assistants, (administrative)

Wanzahun Godana (project leader) (Master of Public Health in Health services

management), Mekdes Kondale (Assistant Professor in Reproductive Health),

Befikadu Tariku (MSc in Applied Human Nutrition ), Fekadu Massebo (Medical



22/40

collaborators, etc, ; involved depart-ments/universities.)

entomologist, Assistant Professor), Behailu Merdekios (Assistant professor in

Public health, College Dean)


Project formulation and analysis, co-promotorship of local and Belgian students,

joint research activities and publications


Wanzahun Godana Boynito has 7 year experience in teaching and research ac-

tivities in the area of Public health. He is Lecturer and researcher in Public health.

He has advised many MSc students. He published 8 articles in peer reviewed

journals. In addition 3 papers have been accepted and are in press.

Links to other relevant national and inter-national collaborating institutes (name, nature) and society in a broader sense (government, NGO, etc.)

CMHS had linkages with the Centre for Disease Control and prevention (CDC),

John Hopkins University; with the International Centre of AIDS Prevention

(ICAP); with the Addis Continental Institute of Public Health (ACIPH); the Public

Health Association (EPHA); the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), the

African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), Orbis International Ethiopia

(OIE), Jone Snow Institute (JSI) and more. The linkages are in the areas of re-

search, education and short-term training and community service with earmarked

limited fund and technical support only.


Name and function of the actor Consulting on programmatic aspects of TB/HIV and other related programmes for the AMREF, Zonal health department

Major (project related) activities Planning and designing projects, conducting evaluations, conducting re-searches, publishing articles and giving trainings

Capacities and strategic interest (as they re-late to the project)

Coordinating activities, advising students, designing new projects

Reasons for which the actor is involved in the project

His capacity in coordinating activities, communication skill and active in leader-ship


Description of the link with the VLIR-UOS country specific strategic guidelines that have been elaborated for the country

concerned. (see background documents)

Ethiopian health policy focuses on promotion of preventive health services which should be based on evidence generated

from research findings. Nutrition is a major component of primary health care as expressed in the Millennium development

goals. Food insecurity and absence of caring practices limit the promotion of adequate nutrition to all population. Malnu-

trition affects the major segment of the population i.e. mostly mothers and children. Hence, there is a need to increase

inter-sectorial collaboration to improve agricultural productivity and food security. In line with this, the Ethiopian and Bel-

gian governments identified nutrition and health as one of the main themes of strategic cooperation (ESDP-4, 2013). This

project is a perfect fit in this thematic area which is also retained by the VLIR-UOS Ethiopia strategy document as one of

the key themes for university collaboration, completely in line with the Ethiopia’s government development strategy doc-

ument “GTP II” (2015/16-2020/21).



AMU is engaged to conduct its teaching, research and community services in novel ways. The university has implemented

the Demographic and Health Surveillance System (DHSS) in Arba Minch and its surrounding areas with the mandate of

generating evidence for planning, developing a public health policy and evaluating the changes due to implementation of

different services. Recently (August, 8, 2015) AMU also launched a Collaborative Research and Training Centre on

Neglected Tropical Diseases (CRTC-NTDs) with the objective of alleviating the critical gaps in knowledge in the area of

NTDs and the small number of adequately trained professionals. In addition, AMU is also closely working with AMREF,

CDC, OIE, ICAP Ethiopia, JHPIEGO, Federal and Regional Health Bureau, Gamo Gofa Zone Health Department, ACIPH,

Ethiopian Public Health Institute and Ethiopia EPHA to improve the health of the population. The proposed IUC project



23/40

complements and enhances these initiatives by strengthening the link between research and development activities,

thereby building AMU staff capacity so as to better benefit the society at large.


Description of the direct beneficiaries (specific objective) and indirect beneficiaries and stakeholders (external groups that are affected by the implementation of the project), their interest, attitude and possible role

Beneficiaries Possible role Possible benefits

Direct beneficiaries

CMHS/AMU Implements the project capacity building (human and infrastructure)

Local community get involved as a stakeholder increase skill and use research out puts

Flemish universities foreign partner (promoters, trainers, advi-sors) in implementation of the project;

scale up accumulated expertise in Ethiopia, enhance link-age

Indirect beneficiaries

NGOs Knowledge and skill transfer. achieve the Health development missions

General population active participation behavioral change and better utilization of services, im-proved health

Policy makers support importation of diagnostic and la-boratory technologies

use the results as an information in policy formulation

Stakeholders

Zonal health Depart-ment

Local partners facilitate access to commu-nity, maintain the sustainability of the pro-ject.

strengthen Primary health care and to scale up innovative health service

DHSS&CTRC-NTDs partners in research design, implementa-tion and evaluation of the project

experience in collaborative research and outreach, avoid resource duplication, experience sharing, enhance their

profile

FMOH, RHB input and supply importation, permission, information sharing and evidence based decision making

contribute to the GTP II



Maternal and child health (MCH) figures are an indicator for socio-economic development of a country. Despite the efforts

made by the government and its partners, the numbers are still high in Ethiopia. Among the leading causes for these high

maternal morbidities and mortalities, reports mention pregnancy and child birth related complications, a gap in service provision

and utilization and maternal malnutrition. The underlying cause for the above-mentioned problems is poor women decision

making and little empowerment. Child morbidities and mortalities can be ascribed to inappropriate feeding practices, general

food insecurity and a high prevalence of infectious diseases. In combination, these are the causes for the high prevalence of

malnutrition, in turn the leading cause for under-five morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. In addition, the inadequate management

of the environment (waste water management, solid waste treatment, water sanitation…) negatively impacts on health by

fostering wide-spread infectious diseases. Poor water management, for instance provides for a perfect breeding ground of

insects. In short, conditions are ideal for vector multiplication, a cause for disease, aggravated by an absence or inappropriate

use of chemicals and drugs.


Capacity building is given the first priority in AMU. This helps the university to fulfil its role in the local and national development

effort, through designing relevant curricula, providing a productive research-based teaching environment and community ser-

vices. The health sector which is of major importance for country’s socio-economic development has a critical shortage of

highly qualified man power and state-of-the-art infrastructure (diagnostic labs, skill for utilizing the existing health facilities, etc).

The number of well-trained professionals with a PhD or beyond are very limited in AMU, in the CMHS in particular and the

country in general. These are however – like in any university – absolutely essential to undertake in-depth research and to feed

teaching efforts linked to locally relevant problems. The contribution of the proposed IUC-AMU collaboration needs to be con-

sidered as more than a unique opportunity in this regard.



24/40


Summary (max 15 lines)

Specific objectives:

To improve local capacity of applied research in reproductive health, human nutrition, infectious diseases, one health

approach (human-animal diseases) and the neglected tropical diseases

To improve maternal and child health through research in health behavior and utilization of health services,

To develop a model for “Mother friendly delivery services” at rural health centers

To find out evidence for opportunities in nutrition sensitive programs of agricultural & livelihood, to improve maternal and

child nutrition

To identify appropriate feeding practices for mothers and children using locally available food resources

Expected results:

- Improvement of the teaching, learning and research capacity of the CMHS

- Research output disseminated for stakeholders to communicate improved diagnostic and treatment techniques

- Health care provision, quality and safety will be improved

- Nutritional status of children and mothers and food security and coping strategies investigated

- Find out how to adapt and improve existing diets for malnourished women and children based on locally available food

- A joint PhD program and short-term training in Reproductive health, Human nutrition and Infectious diseases established.


The project will include experimental studies, operation research, impact assessment, baseline research inter-vention trial studies, evaluation researches.


There have been many efforts from the government and non-governmental organizations to avert the poor health status

of the population in the project area. However, most of the efforts lacked integration of the different research outcomes

with the development problems of the community. Since this project is community based and focused on the real prob-

lems of the community with their full participation, as a result all the designed interventions will be acceptable and

sustainable.

Through the implementation of the project, there will be improvements in health status of the society. Women will be

empowered to make decisions about their fertility, utilization of the services available for them with appropriate care

giving practices of the health care institutions. Due to these activities maternal and child health will be improved. Im-

proving the maternal, infant and child nutrition will have a significant impact on the future development of the nation.

Appropriate nutrition for the mothers, infant and child will alleviate the intergenerational malnutrition, reduce the mor-

bidity and mortality related to it. Through outreach of research recommendations, research-based policies will engender

different interventions contributing to the reduction of child morbidity.


Describe in detail the capacity of the local unit, preconditions and major problems that could be encountered as also potential external influencing factors (feasibility).



25/40

Major (research) orientation and activities: The local unit, CMHS comprises of one School and six departments, namely

School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Medical laboratory Science, Anaesthesia and Medical

Radiology) has developed research in thematic areas related to improving health status of the population. To mention some:

reproductive health including MCH, and infectious diseases, nutrition and health care, quality of health care and its provision.

Human resources (personnel numbers, status and level): Currently the CMHS has total of 132 academic and technical

staff (49 MSc, 2 specialist (Internist and Gynaecologist), 20 Medical Doctors and 49 Graduate and Technical assistants). The

unit has also an administrative/supportive staff of about 326, of which 25% have first academic degree level.

Financial resources (annual budget Y 2014 - donors): CMHS receives average annual budget of 1,044,755.01EU. This

budget is totally from the government treasury. The college uses this budget for teaching, research and community services.

The budget is insufficient to carry out effective services in medical care as it is almost completely consumed on salaries and

fixed costs of the college. No fund is obtained from external sources.

Experience handling international projects: CMHS in collaboration with an EPHA/CDC has been conducting AIDS mor-

tality surveillance in Arba Minch DHSS sites. For the implementation of in-service Training for Health Care workers with CDC.

Moreover, CMHS executed a pneumococcal vaccine trial project successfully that finished in 2013. It was facilitated by FMoH

with minimal funds that covers the per diems of those involved. Recently the CMHS launched CRTC-NTDs, which is possibly

very important for the implementation of the proposed project.

Linkages: The college is collaborating with other colleges of the University (e.g. In the Grand Kulifo project, for the annual

research symposium, and in teaching and research laboratory utilization), national and regional research institutes, FMoH,

Regional Health Bureau and Zonal Health Department and district Health offices for implementation of its institutional goals.

AMU DSS is also a member of Ethiopian Universities Research Network with other five national universities and conducting

demographic and health related studies in continuous way.

Most important problems the unit is facing: insufficient number of skilled manpower, lack of teaching and research facilities

due to budget limitations

Means as compared to needs: due to the lack of skilled manpower, well equipped laboratories, and deficient ICT and library

services, the unit is severely hampered in carrying out its societal duties.

Scope for collaboration: the scope for North-South collaboration ranges from capacity building, experience sharing, institu-

tional strengthening and development

Scope for south-south linkages: The college is willing and keen to collaborate with all interested institutions in Africa, Asia

and Latin America.


Staff retention at universities is a wide-spread concern for all universities both in the North and the South. In general,

scientific staff is allured to the quality of a working environment and the potential of carrying out exciting research. In this,

the South Ethiopian Rift Valley should be ideal. The region is endowed with diverse agro-ecological zones suitable for both

livestock and crop production and houses a rapidly growing population at risk to the major tropical diseases. Despite a

good potential for food production, malnutrition remains a big problem in the catchment, and MCH problems are persistent.

The engagement of staff in the problem solving research of the community and academic promotion and publication of the

results can have an influence on the stability of the staff. The commitment of university staff, and the university’s priorit ization

of research geared towards community service can be mentioned as opportunities. However, the limitation of research

funds, the lack of strong partnerships with international expertise on MCH, a limited understanding with regard to the nature

of common health problems in the area and linking the services with research findings are main challenges that –if not

overcome- will rather sustain a brain drain. So, an effective capacity building project, empowering AMU staff to get access

to international networks and donors, to publish findings in international journals and to get a handle on changing the health

situation in their community will be the main tool to keep the staff as the job will be made much more relevant and rewarding.

The staff who got the opportunity will continually engage in research activities, advising students including PhD and also

increasing the networks will trigger them in sustaining such a relationships in the future.



26/40

Project 4: Reversing land degradation for sus-tainable Economic development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley




Land degradation in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley is a major challenge to sustain development in the region. Increased soil acidity in the highlands due to soil nutrient depletion and leaching; soil salinity and alkalinity due to poor agricultural water management in the lowlands; excessive soil erosion in the highlands due to runoff in turn caused by deforestation, overgrazing, and poor crop land management; flood hazards due to poor riparian buffer zone management, poor river training and poor diversion and conveyance irrigation structures; mass wasting from steep slopes due to upstream landslides and downstream deposition of stones, coarse gravel and infertile debris on fertile agricultural fields in the lowlands of the rift valley floor are major causes of land degradation in the area. They form a major threat to sustainable agricultural production and ecosystem services. The current uncontrolled and unsustainable land use systems furthermore entail siltation and eutrophication of lakes. However, only few studies have been conducted to guide planning efforts for a sustainable and integrated development of the area. Studies made by Kassa Tadele (2006) in the area show that forest land has declined significantly between the year 1967 and 2004 and shifted to farmland and settlement areas. It can be assumed that between 2004 and now, this trend has continued.

The government of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) and the Federal Gov-ernment of Ethiopia have a big ambition to increase food security and income of the citizens ensuring sustainable ecosystem services in the region. Despite the tremendous challenges, they adhere a‘ green economic develop-ment strategy’. Recently, mass mobilization occurs in favor of environmental protection practices and rehabilita-tion of degraded lands both by GOs and NGOs. However, these efforts still face various challenges and constraints – mostly due to a lack of rational understanding of the complexity of the agro-ecosystems - to allow an integrated planning towards sustainable ecosystem protection. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop scientific infor-mation on the issue. To address this issue, Arba Minch university (AMU), as an academic and research institution situated in the heart of the South Ethiopian Rift Valley, is the key actor and responsible. Despite its willingness and commitment, the existing capacity of the university is insufficient to alleviate the problem. The constraints typically include human capacity, insufficient financial resources and laboratory facilities for research. Therefore, AMU has to fill these gaps in research capacity in terms of qualified staff and research/teaching facilities. The VLIR-IUC project will be strategic as it is expected to trigger performance of research and education at AMU, by empowering AMU staff to become important players at an international level.

History of the collaboration / antecedents Antecedents – please indicate whether this project proposal is a continuation of an existing project, actions already undertaken, or a project in finalisation phase. Describe that project in 10 lines.

The idea of AMU collaboration with Flemish universities started when Prof. S. Deckers with his colleagues visited AMU in 2008 answering the invitation for a project identification mission made by Dr. Tarekegn Tadesse, then president of AMU and previously the manager of the VLIR-IUC programme of Mekele University. Both parties expressed interest to initiate joint research projects with VLIR support to build a multidisciplinary research capacity at AMU. Since then, two projects have been launched successfully in collaboration with different Flemish univer-sities. One is a VLIR-OI project with special emphasis on aquatic ecosystems and socio-economic dynamics with associated indigenous perceptions on natural resources around Nechisar National park. The other collaborative project is a VLIR-team project with specific focus on improving Enset crop productivity and product processing. The project described here is new in its kind as it focuses on issues related to the processes and causes of land degradation in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley system.



Local project team (Involved staff next to the pro-moter and co-promoters already mentioned on page 1. Profes-sors, assistants, (administra-tive) collaborators, etc, ; in-volved departments/universi-ties.)

Involved Staff

Dereje Elias (MSc in geography)-Project leader, Dr.Guchie Gulie (PhD in

soil and water conservation engineering), Mr. Haftom Gebrekiros (MSc in Chemistry), Dr. Tewdros Birhanu (PhD in chemistry), Dr. Rahmato Negash (PhD in Rural Dev’t), Mr. Leulseged Belaynh (MSc in Soil and Water Conser-vation Eng’g), and Ms.Tizita Endale (MSc in Soil Science).



27/40

Involved Departments include: Water Resources and Irrigation Engineer-

ing, Geography and Environmental Studies, Chemistry, Natural Resources Management, and Geology


The local promoter is a senior lecturer in the department of geography and environmental studies and worked as department head and development co-ordinator of the university. Other team members do also have various relevant experience and capacity. and are highly motivated to conduct research and pursue further studies in the field of natural resource management.

Experience (academic, interna-tional) of the promoter

More than three years of experience in community based watershed manage-ment project, one year experience as head of the department of Geography and Environmental Studies and three years of experience as coordinator of the university.

Links to other relevant national and international collaborating institutes (name, nature) and society in a broader sense (gov-ernment, NGO, etc.)

AMU has developed collaboration with several national and international in-stitutions. Hawassa agricultural research institute, Arba Minch agricultural re-search institute, Jinka agricultural research institute, Omo Kuraz sugar corpo-ration, Wolaita Soddo University, Dilla University and Wachamo University have been collaborating with AMU in research and teaching activities. Inter-nationally, AMU has collaboration with KULeuven, University of Ghent, Uni-versity of Antwerp, Thomas More University college, , New Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Politechnico Di Torino and others.



Description of the link with the VLIR-UOS country specific strategic guidelines that have been elaborated for the country concerned. (see background documents)

The VLIR-UOS country specific strategy of Ethiopia identified seven main priority themes of intervention. Land deg-radation is the subtheme of the main themes food security and agriculture. However, the issue of rehabilitation of degraded land is also directly related with ecosystem services and environment and in turn with water. Therefore, it seems to be a relevant intervention for multiple subthemes identified to address the problems related to food security, agriculture, environment and water. Land degradation in the watersheds of ephemeral and intermittent rivers of the South Ethiopia Rift Valley has clearly caused lake water quality decline. A simple look at the brown water color of Abaya lake (e.g. by Google Earth) already tells the severity of land degradation. Hence, addressing this problem fully complies with the VLIR-UOS country specific strategic intervention themes in Ethiopia.



Arba Minch university has established a ‘Biodiversity Research Centre’, a ‘Water Resource Research Centre’ and 'Gircha high land fruits and vegetables research centre' to enhance its capacity of research in natural resources and agriculture. These are created to contribute to a more sustainable management of the ecosystems in The South Ethiopian Rift Valley. Arba Minch university is also implementing two VLIR-UOS projects ( VLIR-OI stripe project and VLIR-TEAM Enset project) and has ample experience of implementing projects with international donors. These in-clude: WHATSAM (from Aug., 2012 to Aug., 2015); CLARA (from 2010 to 2014), WHaTeR (EU-funded project from Oct., 2011 to June, 2015); AEEP(DAAD funded project that started in 2014 and will end in 2016); and SAHAY Solar

project. The anticipated IUC project is crucial to complement and enhance these initiatives and will solve research and development challenges. As a result, AMU will fulfil its role in the society and lead initiatives.



Category Institution/s Interest/ Attitude Possible roles Benefits

Direct be-neficiaries

AMU

commitment in partner-ship &development and collaboration on new initia-tives

Project mgmt. and con-tribution of academic staff for research & PhD studies

Improving research and teaching capacity and facil-ity



28/40

Flemish Uni-versities

Partnership in project im-plementation and capacity building

Hosting and supervision of PhD and Post-Doc students mgmt.

Student exchange and in-ternational development co-operation

Local commu-nity

involvement in research activities

Provision of research sites and participation in research activities

Technology transfer and awareness creation

Indirect Benefici-aries

Local,Re-gional and Na-tional gov-ernemnt

supportive Supporting the project activities and imple-menting research rec-ommendations

Policy recommendations, capacity building

NGOs Internalizing research rec-ommendations

Incorporating research recommendations for their activities

Research results

Stakehol-ders

Local cluster Universities (Wolaita, Dilla, Wachamo)

Willing to cooperate in re-search activities

Cooperation in research Research and teaching Ca-pacity building



Various causes have triggered land degradation in the highlands of Ethiopia and it is the primary cause of low productivity of agricultural land in the country. Land degradation of Rift Valley Lakes’ basins of the country is severe on the uplifted highlands along Western and Eastern escarpments of the Rift. Abaya-Chamo lakes’ basin is part of South Ethiopia Rift Valley Lakes’ basin where land degradation is more severe than any other lake basin in the Rift Valley and this is witnessed by every brown color of water of lake Abaya. In the Gamo highlands (to the West) and in the Wolaita and Hadiya highlands in the North West of Abaya and Chamo lakes, poor land management and plowing up of steep slopes without soil erosion control measures is resulting in severe sheet and rill erosion and gully formation, locally leading to badlands. Moreover, land sliding (both shallow and deep seated slides) along the steep slopes of Gamo highlands is another cause of land degradation in the area. Severe soil erosion and landslides yield vast volumes of sediment that cause huge off site damage on irrigated agricul-tural land in the rift valley floor.

In the lower reaches of the Western part of the basin, sediment deposition is causing huge pediment cones. The rivers that debouch from highlands change their course occasionally on the alluvial fans due to poor irrigation diversion structures and cause great havoc in low-laying irrigation by complete flooding of the cropland and severe gully formation during flash floods. As a result, damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure is causing large economic losses. Finer sediments are transported further into the lakes, especially to lake Abaya, explaining its red/brown color. But, currently, there is no sediment yield data to estimate the life expectancy of the lake Abaya. The uncontrolled flooding and poor agricultural water management is also causing a water table rise and there are signs of soil salinity and alkalinity development in the irrigated areas in the lowlands. Therefore, this project focuses on improving the scientific understanding of the upstream/downstream issues related to land degradation. Furthermore we aim at developing appropriate strategies to reverse land degradation in the area and to ensure sustainable development and ecosystem services.

Analysis of the capacity constraints the partners are confronted

The main constraint to all programmes in AMU is its limited research and teaching capacity. The limited number of qualified PhD staff, the insufficient research and teaching infrastructure hampers the university to influence local and national development activities. Normally such role should be based on innovative research, highly performing teaching programmes and well integrated community service approaches. While the university has made significant efforts to carry out research related to the environment, soil, water and renewable energy, the demands keep on dwarfing the efforts. Therefore, the contribution of VLIR-IUC is considered as essential to improve AMU’s overall capacity and trigger an empowerment of the staff to sustain their role as leaders in de-signing paths towards sustainable land management.


Summary(max 15 lines)

Specific project objectives



29/40

1. To improve research and teaching capacity of AMU staff in the area of soil and water conservation. 2. To improve research facilities for soil, water and plant analysis and sediment yield monitoring 3. To delineate erosion hot-spots/critically degraded lands; identify appropriate erosion control measures 4. To assess land slide vulnerability and embrace indigenous strategies of land slide risk reduction. 5. To evaluate upstream-downstream impacts of soil erosion, sediment deposition and flooding on soil

quality and infrastructures in the basin to produce area specific land management strategies 6. To conduct land suitability analysis for the basin and producing policy recommendations of land use Expected results 1. Institutional research and teaching capacity of AMU are improved 2. Policy recommendations for land use and land management are produced. 3. Appropriate soil and water conservation technologies are identified and recommended for practice 4. Land suitability map of the basin is developed 5. Number of scientific publications are produced

6. Soil and water conservation practices are adequately promoted in the basin


The proposed research objectives will be addressed through Watershed modeling; watershed hydrology model-ing; land slide and flood risk mapping; sediment yield estimation and monitoring; satellite image processing and interpretation; soil, plant and water quality analysis; evaluation of the effectiveness of soil conservation measures; Soil erosion assessment; and Soil characterization and land suitability analysis.


Addressing the land degradation in Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia is addressing the problem of people both in rural and urban settings. Land degradation in the area is directly damaging the resource base of rural people and it is indirectly affecting the urban people by reducing ecosystem services most importantly damaging the water quality and infrastructures and in turn food security in the area.



major (research) orientation and activities

Arba Minch University was established as a Water Technology Institute and its prior research focus was water and environment. The launching of programmes in other disciplines opened opportunities to conduct multidisci-plinary research and currently the university conducts research in 10 identified thematic areas that include envi-ronment and water, health and nutrition, agricultural productivity, biological and cultural diversity.

human resources (personnel numbers, status and level)

This project requires the involvement of staff from the Departments of Geology, Chemistry, Geography and Environmental Studies, Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering, and Natural Resources Management. There are only 28 staff with PhD in, 250 MSc. holders and all other staff are with first degree.

financial resources (annual budget Y 2001 - donors)

Total budget allocated for the fiscal year 2015/06 for these three colleges was 5.22 million EUR for all teaching, research and community services. This budget includes the budget required for more than 12,000 students’ services including food.

experience handling international projects

AMU has experience in handling international projects in collaboration with several institutions. These include EU funded projects (WhaTeR,,CLARA, and ROSA), Netherland government funded NICHE Project, VLIR-OI project, DAAD funded project (AEEP) and currently launched VLIR-UOS Team project on enset crop produc-tivity and product processing.

linkages (internal - in the university - and external, both national and international)

Intra (or inter??) college collaboration in the university is part of an old culture at AMU leading to staff exchange and joint research activities. The colleges and the Institute of Technology have jointly been establishing cooper-ation with external institutions and industries like the Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity, the Ministry of Water, Energy and Irrigation, the Ethiopian Roads Authority, the Ethiopia sugar corporation Neu-Ulm University of Ap-plied Sciences’ (HNU), Netherlands UNESCO-IHE, KU Leuven, Politechnico Di Torino, and others.

most important problems the unit is facing

The departments involved in this project – despite the more than 5 million annual budget which hardly caters for the 12.000 students - are facing shortage of skilled man power and facilities to carry out high quality research and teaching.




30/40

The departments have a too small number of PhD holders who can conduct problem solving, innovative and multidisciplinary research. Moreover, the overall lack of state-of-the-art research facilities is another major bot-tleneck to deal with the multiple problems . Institutional collaboration with other universities, national and inter-national is highly required to leave the vicious circle of no funds- no impact, no impact – no funds.

scope for collaboration

The requested institutional collaboration with the North focuses on joint supervising and training PhD and Post-Doc students, experience sharing, carrying research together and providing tailor made short term trainings and improving research facilities of the departments.

scope for south-south linkages

There are three more government universities and the Rift Valley Lakes Basin Authority active with AMU in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. The universities are Wolaita University, Wachamo University and Dilla University. AMU has already established good relations with all of them to work for sustainable development of the basin.


Arba Minch University will benefit tremendously and the output from this partnership will have a long lasting capacity building outcome on teaching, research and community services. The University facilities (laboratories, ICT, meteorological and hydrological stations) established via IUC collaboration will sustainably enable the Uni-versity to pursue further research because of a trigger or multiplicator effect as has been observed in previous IUC programmes in Ethiopia and elsewhere. Highly trained staff that are the output of IUC-AMU collaboration will also enhance the teaching, learning and research activities in the University and so lead to a more attractive and stimulating workplace. This will motivate young scientists to work at this university and add experience to the university to work in collaboration with other national and international organizations.



31/40

Project 5: Improving agricultural produc-tivity in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley




Agriculture is the back bone of the Ethiopian economy accounting for more than 45% of the annual GDP (CSA, 2014; MoFED, 2014; MoA, 2014). The country is endowed with diverse agro-ecological zones which are often mentioned as a major resource basis for agricultural development. Hence, opportunities are plenty to allow the country to develop a highly productive and environmentally friendly agriculture. However, current farming prac-tices across the country are characterized by their small scale, subsistence level resulting in low livelihood levels. To modernize this sector and increase the market value of agricultural products the Ethiopian government has developed its growth and transformation plan (GTP II), aiming to produce high value crops and animals capital-izing on the specificities of the different agro-ecologies of each region.

Small land holdings, poor soil fertility, low biomass production, poor reproductive and productive performance of livestock, lack of suitable genotypes, poor post-harvest management, limited use of agricultural technologies, lack of efficient market orientation and value chain management, lack of adequate finance and skilled manpower are major bottlenecks in transforming the sector. Poor soil fertility in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley has multiple and extremely contrasting features ranging from high acidity in the highlands to alkalinity and salinity in the lowlands, and general imbalances of nutrients. Low biomass yields of field and horticultural crops derive directly from this poor soil fertility but also from poor agronomic practices, minimal or no use of agro-inputs and from high disease pressure. Reduced livestock productivity follows logically from the ensuing poor supply of fodder and feeds, leading to a general poor nutrition, low productivity of local genotypes and vulnerability to diseases. Finally, the virtual absence of appropriate post-harvest management of agricultural products is also affecting the market value of the produce. All the above mentioned constraints are prevalent and extreme in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.

The College of Agricultural Sciences of Arba Minch University (AMU) is committed to support the efforts of the government by identifying suitable genotypes, adapting integrated agricultural production systems, and devel-oping/transferring innovative post-harvest agricultural technologies. In line with this ambition, the college is initi-ating linkages with other local and international institutions to acquire advanced knowledge and skill and to facil-itate technology transfer which will impact the self-sufficiency and improved livelihood in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. As a main actor in this exercise, improving the technical capacity of the staff of the unit and strengthening the institution as a whole is needed. These goals will not be reached without additional inputs.


The former president of AMU (Dr. Tarekegn Taddesse Tanga) initiated Prof Seppe Deckers (north coordinator for IUC-MU) and Prof Luc Duchateau (north coordinator for IUC-JU) to AMU and invited them for institutional collaboration in 2008. Later Dr. Feleke Woldeyes Gamo made an official visit to Belgium in February 2014 to further develop the idea and seek partners. The VLIR-UOS TEAM funded project at AMU in the area of ecology of protected areas (started four years ago in 2012) and the a newly launched TEAM project on enset for improv-ing livelihoods are also paved further experiences for institutional collaboration. During the field course of De-cember 2014, all the mentioned constraints to agricultural productivity were also amply observed and reported in the reports jointly made by KU Leuven and AMU students.



Local project team

Yisehak Kechero (PhD, Associate professor), Seifu Fetena (MSc, As-sistant Prof), Sabura Shara (MSc, Lecturer) and Kiya Adere (MSc, Lec-turer)


All team members are long serving staff in the College of Agricultural Sciences of AMU. They are qualified for research, teaching and labora-tory techniques. In addition, they are familiar to project formulation and analysis, advising students, and making technical reports of many kinds.



32/40


Dr Yisehak Kechero, Alumnus of UGent, has a long term experience in teaching and research activities in the area of animal and range sci-ences. He is associate professor in animal nutrition. He has advised many Belgian and Ethiopian MSc and PhD students. He published more than 30 articles in peer reviewed journals.

Links to other relevant national and international collaborating institutes (name, nature) and society in a broader sense (government, NGO, etc.)

The team members are directly or indirectly linked with national and lo-cal institutions: Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopian sugar Corporation, Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity, local universities, local institutions (Gamo Gofa Zone Department of Agriculture, Arba Minch and Jimma Agricultural Research Centres), World Vision Ethio-pia, Chencha Kale Hiwet Church and International institutions: GIZ and University of Applied Sciences, New Ulm, Germany; KU Leuven univer-sity, Belgium; Christensen Fund and University of Washington, USA. The linkages are in the areas of research, consultancy, education and short-term training and community service.


Name and function of the actor Regional Bureau of Agriculture;Arba Minch agricultural research centre; Arba Minch water source research centre. Their function is to provide collaborative research, training and community services

Major (project related) activities Research, training and local development


Local experiences in collaborative research and development. Their strategic interest is agro-ecology based technology transfer

Reasons for which the actor is in-volved in the project

Research collaboration, participatory knowledge and technology trans-fer


In line with the earlier mentioned constraints to agricultural productivity and the high importance of the agricultural sector for Ethiopia, the Ethiopian and Belgian governments identified food security and agriculture as one of the main themes of strategic cooperation (ESD, 2013). Therefore, this project fits seamlessly within the thematic area ‘Food security and agricultural development’ of the VLIR-UOS Ethiopia strategy document and also promi-nent in Ethiopia’s government “Growth and Transformation Plan II” (2015/16-2020/21).


AMU is being committed more than ever to transform its teaching, research and community services in an inno-vative way in order to bring a change in local development. The university is building an agricultural research centre in Chencha district of Gamo Gofa zone with the mandate of developing and promoting innovative agricul-tural technologies in the area of soil fertility, improving crop and livestock productivity and introducing state-of-the-art postharvest management which will contribute to food security of the local community. Further, AMU is motivated to strengthen local and national development efforts by creating links with relevant partners. For in-stance, AMU is closely working with the Gamo Gofa Zone Department of Agriculture, the Ethiopian Kale Hiwot church, World vision Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Sugar Corporation, Jimma agricultural research centre, the Southern Agricultural Research centre on livestock and crop improvement. Arba Minch university just launched the ‘Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) project’ from the 2013/14 VLIR-UOS TEAM call. The anticipated IUC-

AMU project will consolidate and enhance these initiatives to solve research and development challenges by a sustained capacity building intervention. AMU-CIP is furthermore active in the area of demonstrating Irish potato varieties namely Gudene, Jalene and Beletu in collaboration with VITA, NGO.





33/40

Direct benefici-aries

Possible role & benefits

Indirect be-neficiaries

Possible role & benefits

Stakeholders Possible role & benefits

Arba Minch University

Role: Imple-

ments the pro-ject; Bene-fits:capacity

building (human and infrastruc-ture)

NGOs Role: tech-

nology trans-fer Benefits:en-

hance their impact local dev’tmis-sions

Gamo Gofa Zone , De-partment of Agriculture

Role: local partner in the imple-

mentation of the project, facilitate access to community. Benefits: increased extension ser-

vice and to scale up innovative ag-ricultural technologies

Local commu-nity

Role: main ben-

eficiary Benefits: em-

powerment and use research output.

Cooperati-ves and bu-siness orga-nizations

Role: value

chain (value addition & marketing) Benefits:

better in-come

Arba Minch Agricultural Research Centre

Role: partners in research design

and implementation Benefits: gain experience in col-

laborative research and outreach, avoid resource duplication, experi-

ence sharing

Flemish uni-versities

Role: foreign

partner (promot-ers, trainers) in implementation of the project Benefits: accu-

mulate exper-tise on Ethiopia, enhance link-ages, enhance international rel-evance.

Policy mak-ers

Role: sup-

port importa-tion of agri-cultural in-puts and technologies Benefits: use the results as infor-mation in policy for-mulation

Ministry of Agriculture

Role: input importation, permits, in-

formation sharing Benefits: contribute to the GTP II



Food insecurity is the major obstacle for socio-economic development of the country for various reasons. Low agricultural productivity accounts for most of this and hence needs urgent mending. One of the immediate tasks is to embrace innovative agricultural technologies for the sector. In the country’s GTP-II, the primary development goal of the Ethiopian government is to achieve food security and sustain high economic and export growth levels to transform agriculture. A range of factors are limiting the agricultural production and productivity in South Ethiopian Rift Valley. The most important ones are poor soil fertility, poor productivity of crops and livestock, diseases, lack of appropriate agricultural technologies and lack of skills.


In AMU, capacity to implement its various programs is insufficient. As it stands, the university is too weak to play its role in solving local and national development issues through adequate and innovative curricula, carrying out relevant research and providing adequate service to the community. Also the agriculture sector itself in which the majority of people is engaged is largely constrained by shortage of qualified manpower and infrastructure (labs, storage and processing facilities, transport, communication, etc.).Highly qualified professionals with a PhD and post-docs are limited in AMU in particular and the country in general. The proposed contribution of IUC-AMU collaboration has to be considered as an opportunity in this regard.


Description of the specific objective(s) of the proposed project as also the expected results

Summary(max 15 lines)

Specific project objectives (academics & development) are (i) to provide a tool for easy identification of perfor-mance of ruminants through rotational grazing and zero-grazing through an improved fodder production (mixed legume/grass pastures), (ii) to investigate the limiting factors of crop productivity through soil fertility improvement research, (iii) to improve local capacity of applied research in agricultural sciences and in post-harvest manage-



34/40

ment, (iv) to launch joint PhD degree programmes, post-doc research and short-term training in animal, horticul-ture and plant sciences and (v) to create awareness in local community concerning improved crop and animal product management.

Expected results include: (i) enhanced biomass yield and soil fertility status of crop and grazing lands, (ii) im-proved productivity of ruminant livestock and crops, (iii) the establishment of joint study programmes and short term trainings, (iv) the achievement of higher product quality and safety, (v) the dissemination of rresearch out-come to beneficiaries, (vi) an improvement of their living standards and (vii) an increased technical capacity of the local staff.


Not mandatory


Agricultural production and productivity enhancement have been given due attention by the Ethiopian govern-ment. In line with this, Ethiopia is now determined to use all necessary efforts to increase agricultural outputs (animal and plant products) to enhance food security of the nation. Arba Minch University has a national mandate to train qualified professionals in various fields of study in general and agricultural sciences in particular. Hence, capacity building and dissemination of research-based innovative outputs to the local community has a crucial role to play in the economic development of the region in particular and the country in general. Therefore, working with collaborating Flemish universities through VLIR-UOS in the area of agricultural production and productivity improvement programs would have a significant impact on the achievement of the anticipated country’s GTP-II.



Major (research) orientation and activities

The local unit (College of Agricultural Sciences comprised of seven departments, namely Animal Sciences, Hor-ticulture, Plant Sciences, Forestry, Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, Natural Resource Management) has developed research thematic areas in relation to improving agricultural productivity. To mention some, biomass improvement of food and fodder crops, farm animal produc-tion improvement as well as quality and safety improvement of agricultural products. The college is working aggressively on improvement of soil fertility of agricultural and grazing fields for crop and livestock productivity enhancement within its research and community service endeavours.

Human resources (personnel numbers, status and level)

The unit has a total of 66 academic and technical staff (4 PhDs (1 associate professor and 3 assistant profes-sors), 50 MSc (1 assistant prof. & 49 lecturers) and 12 Graduate and Technical assistants). The unit has also an administrative/supportive staff of about 200, of which 15% have first academic degree level.

Financial resources (annual budget Y 2015 - donors)

The College of Agricultural Sciences receives on average an annual budget of € 391,304.30-. This budget is totally derived from the government treasury. As this money is almost completely spent on salaries and teaching facilities, a very small amount is left for research, despite a very high need.

Experience handling international projects

The college has experience in handling international collaboration projects, i.e. in the area of Agro-forestry with the Spanish government (FED/2013/320-291). Under EDULINK-II); Enset conservation and biodiversity project with American Christensen Fund as well as from the VLIR-UOS TEAM enset (Ensete ventricosum) project from the Flemish(Belgium) government in collaboration with the College of Natural Sciences of AMU. The proposed project leader of this IUC-AMU project, Dr. Yisehak Kechero, served as the topic leader in a similar IUC with Jimma University for the last seven years.

Linkages (internal - in the university - and external, both national and international)

The college is collaborating with other colleges of the University in the annual research symposium and in teach-ing and research laboratory utilization). Externally, our unit works with national and regional research institutes and with the zonal and district department of Agriculture for implementation of our research outputs.

Most important problems the unit is facing

Lack of skilled manpower, lack of research-based teaching and research facilities and an extremely constrained budget.


Skilled manpower, well equipped laboratories, ICT and library

Scope for collaboration

The scope for North-South collaborations ranges from capacity building, experience sharing, institutional strengthening, development and facilitating links with other major players internationally such as the CGIAR, FAO and the like.

Scope for south-south linkages



35/40

The college is willing to collaborate with all interested institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Describe the opportunities and challenges for the sustainability of benefits (capacity retention, con-tinuation of research activities, etc.)

Limitation of research funds, the lack of strong partnerships with international expertise in animal, and plant sciences as well as in soil fertility research are traditionally leading to brain drain and slow progress in research in general. However, the South Ethiopian Rift Valley is a unique and inviting environment for multi-disciplinary agro-ecological research which would – if properly kicked-off and sustained–offer scientists sufficient motivation to develop their careers. The region is endowed with diverse agro-ecological zones suitable for livestock and crop production and the presence of the two water bodies and Nechisar national park offers unique possibilities to carry out research on sustainable management. The multi-cultural and multi-religion context of the region offers another unique opportunity for novel research approaches specifically probing to improve sustainability of project outcome. The central position of AMU in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley, the presence of several local universities, the commitment of university staff, and the university’s prioritization of research and community service can be mentioned as opportunities. The project-triggered empowerment of AMU staff by this project has to be seen as the main factor ensuring sustainability of the research efforts in this challenging domain. Just like in universities in the North, the sustainability of research in a given unit is completely dependent on the quality and creativity of the scientists involved in combination with the presence of sufficient national and/or international interest or funds to finance excellent research. Hence, the here targeted capacity lift in research-based education philosophy is the ultimate condition to sustain the continuation of AMU research in the future. Moreover, the proposed project is community based in that local farmers are involved at the outset in problem definition, ex-periment design and demonstration of soil-plant-animal interactions. It can be expected that they will form an important driver to challenge the AMU scientists to reach higher.



36/40

Project 6: Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley



Biodiversity is essential for all ecosystem services. In turn it constitutes life supporting systems of human and other living organisms. Yet biodiversity is at risk and it is dwindling down rapidly at global, regional and national level. This is mainly due to an increasing human population pressure, habitat alteration and spread of invasive alien species. Forests and natural water bodies in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley play a great role in flood regulation, water purification, eco-tourism and provide habitat for many animals and plants. However, they are under tremendous pressure of illegal timber cutting, charcoal production, firewood collection, overfishing, siltation and commercial agriculture for banana production. As a result, terrestrial and aquatic resources are in an ad-vanced state of decline. However, at the moment, people seem to have no other option but to use these re-sources in an unsustainable way, slowly but steadily degrading what is remaining. While the negative effects of this have been well-documented, the long-term interaction between the different ethnic communities of the south Ethiopian Rift Valley and the competitive demand for primary and derived terrestrial/aquatic produce remains poorly understood.

Apart from the above mentioned effects on regulating ecosystem services, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss also associates with the incidence and distribution of infectious diseases(Pongsiri et al., 2009). The spread of infectious diseases is often connected with loss of natural predators of vectors and intermediate hosts, or facilitated by more favorable breeding grounds. Deforestation, habitat fragmentation and the accompanying loss of structural diversity can lead to an increase in human contacts with a variety of pathogens and disease vectors (Vittor et al., 2006). Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a serious public health problem in ‘Dega Ocholo’,in the Gamo highlands of southern Ethiopia.

The expansion of agricultural activities, its intensification and the associated land use changes, which involve deforestation have also led to increased concentrations of nutrients and suspended sediments in lake Abaya and Chamo. In addition, the changes led to shrinkage of the wetland ecosystems surrounding the lakes. Being the largest of the Ethiopian rift valley lakes, they are a key asset for the region in terms of fishing and ecotourism. However, due to the recent changes several iconic wild animals such as Hippo and Nile crocodile lost their natural habitat and reproduction sites, whereas fisheries have strongly declined in Lake Chamo and Abaya, because of the increased turbidity of the lake water. There is a strong need for scientific data on the functioning of these majestic lake ecosystems and how the changes in water quality and wetland area affect ecosystem services. Here, a long-term monitoring programme – including biological indicators - combined with sound eco-logical insight on the lake systems and their interaction with the surrounding catchments will provide the insight needed to preserve ecological integrity and the associated benefits for the region. In addition to this, indiscrimi-nate fishing practices in Abaya-Chamo lake may also affect the diversity of these aquatic ecosystems. In com-bination with reduced water quality, this impacts fish yield as well as ecotourism.

Sustainable development increasingly depends on the ability of the stakeholders to work together in a multidis-ciplinary approach. Therefore, it is important for academic institutes to organize themselves in ways that promote multidisciplinary research. This is especially the case in solving the problems associated with biodiversity loss. Currently AMU staff are committed to play an important role on tackling unsustainable utilization of natural re-sources. There are, however, many limitations in terms of resources, skilled manpower and laboratory facilities. It is therefore be of paramount importance to develop strong collaborative research with VLR-UOS universities to fill the gaps. In addition, the biodiversity project will be developed with strong ties to other projects such as land use (deforestation and erosion), health and food production. Strengthening the existing link between VLIR-UOS and AMU will beef up the capacity at AMU to develop a solid science-based biodiversity management plan for the region.


Collaboration of VLIR-UOS and AMU was initiated by the former president Dr.Tarekegn in 2008, based on ex-cellent experiences with VLIR-UOS cooperation at Mekelle University where he worked before. Upon Terekegn’s departure from AMU, Simon Shibru spearheaded a VLIR-UOS TEAM project (STRIPES) as of 2011 with two PhD scholars; on resp. terrestrial ecology (University of Antwerp), and on aquatic ecology (KU Leuven). Also some laboratory equipment and a vehicle for fieldwork were provided. This marked the beginning of the part-nership. To strengthen the already existing effort made by VLIR-UOS PhD students (Simon Shibru and Fassil Eshetu) in the VLIR sponsored ‘STRIPES’ project, AMU developed further plans to upscale this work in the area of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization in The South Ethiopian Rift Valley. AMU was awarded an Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) project in the 2013/14 VLIR-UOS TEAM



37/40

call. Recently AMU also hosted an international MSc-level field course (Agro-and ecosystems) (AMU-KU Leu-ven), that offered multidisciplinary knowledge and experience sharing between some 40 Belgian and 20 AMU post graduate students.



Local project team

Involved Staff 1. Addisu Fekadu (MSc). Project leader. Associate Biodiversity Researcher

2. Seyoum Getaneh (M.Sc). Dry-land Biodiversity, 3. Simon Shibru. PhD student in Belgium, Antwerp University 4. Fassil Eshetu PhD student in Belgium KU-Leuven University 5. Shitie Gatew ( PhD) student, supported by STRONGBOW project. 6. Dr. Rameto Negash. 7. Awoke Guadie (PhD.) Environmental science. 8. Dikaso Unbushe (PhD.), Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management Involved departments

1. College of Natural sciences 2. AMU Biodiversity Research Center 3. AMU Biology Department 4. AMU Chemistry Department

Collaborative partners

1. College of Social Sciences and Humanity of AMU 2. College of Agriculture of AMU 3. Research Directorate Office of AMU

4. Community Service Directorate Office of AMU


The team from Arba Minch University is composed of researchers from various fields and all of them are highly motivated to pursue community based research that will enable them to halt the loss of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.

Experience (academic, international) of the pro-moter

The PL is Associate Biodiversity Researcher at the Biodiversity Research Center, AMU and has 3 ½ year of experience in biodiversity research in the basin. He was Deputy Director of the Biodiversity Research Center between June 2014-June 2015 and teaches Genetics and Evolution Courses.

Links to other relevant national and interna-tional collaborating insti-tutes (name, nature) and society in a broader sense (government, NGO

1. Ethiopian Biodiversity Institution signed a memorandum of understand-ing with AMU to conserve biodiversity in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley.

2. Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), Nechisar National Park, Southern Environmental Protection Authorities and Gamo Gofa Zone Natu-ral Resource Department also has strong working relationship with AMU,

3. STRONGBOW project which is sponsored by NUFFIC- also has link with AMU in capacity building of the staff ( Currently two AMU staffs namely Shetie Gatew and Genaye Tsegaye are studying their PhD at KU Leuven.

4. Christensen funds the establishment of Enset field gene bank

5. Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) project with VLIR-UOS


Even though Ethiopia is highly acknowledged for its rich diversity in flora and fauna, its biota are under severe threat. This proposed project fits to the thematic area of Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) in relation to conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from biodiver-sity. This is in-line with the VLIR-UOS sub-themes that relate to biodiversity. Finally, the project fits seamlessly in action plans that can be derived from the Ethiopia’s government “Growth and Transformation Plan II” (2015/16-2020/21). Finally, enhancing ecosystem health and creating biodiversity movement corridors are part of the Ethiopian INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution) plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions.


The commitment of Arba Minch university (AMU) to interlink its teaching, research and community services in an innovative way is outspoken. Relevant for this project is the Enset park in Chencha, recently built for the conservation of different clones of Ensete ventricosum in collaboration with the Christensen fund. Currently, AMU

is working with other institutes like the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI) on conservation of medicinal and



38/40

aromatic plants and on capacity building by giving short term training. In addition to the present project, AMU is supported by VLIR-UOS in earlier mentioned projects to ensure sustainable livelihood in Nechisar National Park(NNP) and in Abaya and Chamo lakes by conducting terrestrial and aquatic ecological research. This re-search provides an excellent starting point for the research planned here and provided AMU with essential ex-pertise. Currently Arba Minch university has started an Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) project

from the 2013/14 VLIR-UOS TEAM call. The anticipated IUC-AMU project will build on, complement and greatly enhance these initiatives to solve research and development challenges in an integrated way.


Direct beneficiaries

1. Arba Minch University Role: Own the overall activity and implementation of the project Benefits: The staff will benefit from the joint PhD and MSc.programs and improve their research capacity. An infrastructure for biodiversity research and teaching-learning process will be established. Increased commu-nity service capacity. 2. Communities in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley Role: actively participate in the project activities Benefits: Economic benefit, originating from the conserved biological resources (e.g. Ecotourism and fisheries). Welfare benefit through increased ecosystem services (regulating services such as erosion control, water bal-ance control, water quality improvement, avoidance of siltation,…) Acquire knowledge and skills for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. 3. Flemish universities Role : Collaboration in the implementation of the project (as promoters, advisor or researcher) Benefits: Staff and students will get the opportunity to conduct research in the study area Strengthened inter-country linkage. Indirect Beneficiaries

1. Policy makers Role: Play active role in implementation of the national biodiversity policy in the south Ethiopian Rift Valley. Benefits: Obtain scientific data for policy recommendation. 2. Stakeholders Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Ethiopian Wildlife Authority Gamo Gofa Zone Natural Resource Department Policy makers, at regional/national level Role: involved in the project work . Benefits: Benefit from ecotourism. Capacity building; knowledge and technology transfer.


Ethiopia in general and the southern parts of the country in particular are one of the most interesting and hot spot areas with regard to biological, cultural and ecological diversity. Geographically, AMU is located very close to the two Rift Valley lakes and patches of unique groundwater forest of the Abaya-Chamo lake basin. The cultural diversity originating from the different ethnic groups also highly contributes to the existing cultural and biological diversity in the Abaya-Chamo catchment area. The most critical problems causing loss of biodiversity in the Abaya-Chamo basin are deforestation, conversion of natural habitat to agriculture or urbanization, intro-duction of invasive alien species, indiscriminate fishing, flooding and river/lake water quality deterioration. The spread of infectious diseases also goes hand in hand with biodiversity loss. Nevertheless, the availability of accurate data on biodiversity of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is an essential prerequisite to manage and plan interventions to foster sustainable development. Therefore, the current project focuses on understand-ing the impacts of increasing land pressure to meet competing demand for land and water resources, and on conservation issues in view of the dwindling ecosystem services in The South Ethiopian Rift Valley.


Arba Minch University as a whole has a limited capacity to undertake multidisciplinary quality research in terms both of staff and infrastructure. Most AMU academic and research staff is at junior level, hence the university needs to enforce the capacity of its staff to increase their research competence and empower them to become self-reliant and experts in their field. There is also a need for a state -of-the-art laboratory to create a conducive



39/40

environment for research and teaching activities. We believe that engaging the academic staff in exciting multi-disciplinary research on biodiversity/ecology as presented here will trigger dynamics to increase the capacity of the university to undertake problem-solving research which compares favourably with international standards.


Summary

Specific project objectives are (i) to improve knowledge on the interaction of people and ecosystems in the

south Ethiopian Rift Valley, (ii) to understand the links between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosys-tem services to society, (iii) to evaluate the status, trends and impacts of invasive species in the basin, (iv) to identify threatened plants and animal species in the basin and set conservation priorities, (v) to unravel the link between biodiversity loss and cutaneous leishmaniasis, (vi) to define biological indicators of the wetland ecosys-tem status and functioning and (vii) to improve research and teaching capacity of AMU staff in the areas of biodiversity conservation.

Expected results include (i) an understanding of the links between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and

ecosystem services to society in the south Ethiopian Rift Valle, (ii) improved and safeguarded ecosystem ser-vices to society through science-based management of biodiversity, (iii) an indication of status, trends and im-pacts of invasive species and suggestions for controlling measures, (iv) threatened species of plant and animals identified and possible remediation measures taken, (v) the link between biodiversity loss and Cutaneous leish-maniasis identified, (vi) the baseline status of the aquatic ecosystem in the south Ethiopian Rift Valley docu-mented and (vii) institutional research and teaching capacity of AMU staff in the areas of biodiversity improved.

Developmental relevance of the project.

This project will play a pivotal role in conservation of biodiversity in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley, which in turn will improve ecosystem services such as watershed protection, soil stabilization and erosion control, provision of clean water, climate stabilization and carbon sequestration. In addition, the livelihoods of local communities will be enhanced through an increment of ecosystem services. The project also supports and is in line with Ethiopian “Climate Resilient, Green Economy (CRGE)” Strategy, which in turn is fully integrated in the ‘Second Growth and Transformation Plan (the national development plan). Ethiopia intends to limit its net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2030 to 145 Mt CO2e or lower. This would constitute a 255 MtCO2e reduction from the projected ‘business-as‐usual’ (BAU) emissions in 2030.

Understanding the link between biodiversity and some infectious diseases will help to reduce their burden, with an obvious effect on the capacity to perform in the local communities.


AMU has already established a Biodiversity Research Center, which coordinates all biodiversity research in the University and in the South Ethiopian Rift Valley at large. Major (research) orientation and activities: The Biodiversity Research Centre of Arba Minch University was es-

tablished as Biodiversity Research Unit in 2010. Its major research focus is on Biological diversity and associated indigenous knowledge in The South Ethiopian Rift Valley. It carries out multidisciplinary research in the areas of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of associated indigenous knowledge. Research is in line with the identi-fied thematic areas of the University that include terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, cultural diversity and associated indigenous knowledge in the Rift Valley.

Human resources: Currently the College of Natural Sciences has eight departments and the Biodiversity Research

Center. The total number of academics and researchers in the college: 113 MSc, 20 BSc. and 14PhD.The majority of them are juniors with little exposure and limited capacity to carry out multidisciplinary research. Financial resources: The total allocated annual budget of the college in 2015 is $ 290,000,- of which € 20,000,- is

allocated for Biodiversity Research. This budget is clearly not sufficient for the teaching, learning and research needs of the College. Experience handling international projects: The center has acquired one active international project :“Enset

Field Gene Bank” to conserve Ensete ventricosum clones, which is supported by the Christensen fund. Linkages:

Within the University: College of Natural Sciences, Biology department and Chemistry department.



40/40

Outside AMU: Ethiopian Biodiversity Institutes, Ethiopian Wildlife Authority, Hawassa, Dilla and Wolaita Sodo Uni-

versities.

International: STRONGBOW Project supported by NUFFIC, GIZ, The Christensen Fund, Bill and Melinda Gates

Foundation, World Vision, VITA.

Most important problems the unit is facing: Most of the staff are junior scientists who lack experience in biodi-

versity research. Budget constraints: the budget allocated to the research center is small – too small to adequately address the major research problems.

Scope for collaboration: Capacity building, cooperative research, international exposure and short term training.

Scope for south-south linkages:The center is keen to collaborate with interested institutions in Africa, Asia and

Latin America on comparable challenges as concerns capacity building, research and short term training.

Opportunities and challenges for the sustainability of benefits

As suggested above, the two VLIR_UOS PhD students, Simon Shibru and Fassil Eshetu will play a significant role in this research project in the Southern Ethiopian rift valley. Our project will build on existing efforts with the current project of Biodiversity Conservation, to ensure AMU staff will play their role in support of policies and management of the South Ethiopian Rift Valley. Achieving this will create a conducive work environment where scientists like to work and where satisfaction will be derived from (i) the international appreciation which comes with publications and (ii) the visual impact of the research on the ground and the improvement in livelihood of the local communities.

Obviously, the unique position of AMU in the middle of the Rift Valley with the iconic lakes Abaya and Chamo and the landscape-wise amazing Nechisar National Park facilitates the research greatly and may attract academics from other universities and from outside Ethiopia to carry out a research stay at AMU.

The establishment of collaborative research and training on neglected tropical infectious diseases in the AMU Col-lege of Health Sciences will also be a factor strengthening our interdisciplinary approach in relation to biodiversity loss.

However, the major challenge in the study area resides in the implementation of any conservation measure, taking into account the competition for resources among many users which may lead to intensified ethnic tensions in the area.