RVU-Research

Haileleul Zeleke Woldemariam (PhD)
Vice President for Research and Postgraduate Studies
Email: rpo.rvuc@gmail.com
Telephone: 0221 124901

Research Activities at RVU

Rift Valley University(RVU) aims to be a model university in teaching, learning, extension and research activities, which will be highly recognized nationally and internationally. It has achieved much in terms of establishing itself as an entrepreneurial and private university with strong teaching and learning programs and a growing reputation for research. High level research results contribute a lot to quality teaching, learning and extension activities. Strong and vibrant university research environment is essential for the creation and maintenance of optimum conditions for stimulating student curiosity, imagination and creative abilities, the recruitment and retention of first class staff, and for optimal contribution of the university sector to the economic and social development. Therefore, RVUC places a high value on research activities to attain its vision. Through its research projects and themes, RVUC will nurture and develop future generations of young researchers to underpin and drive Ethiopia newly emerging knowledge intensive society and contribute immensely to economic and societal development. 

Research helps to instill key qualities of curiosity, critical enquiry, confidence, international awareness and competence in specialist skills of the researcher. Ethiopia is rapidly changing in terms of population, employment patterns and global positioning. These changes pose particular challenges to the wide community of RVU researchers. The key outputs of research programs can add to the quality of life within society through innovative research which can contribute significantly to policy initiatives and policy development in the governmental, private and voluntary sectors of society, and the development of new insights, applications and technologies which directly improve the lives of individuals or which provide indirect benefits through increasing competitiveness of business/industry. Alignment with national strategic initiatives, RVUC contributions to the development of national or regional economies are key to our capacity to increase our external research earnings and ensure more direct societal benefits from our research strong interactions between our research and teaching and learning missions is essential for optimization of our performance as a university in the broadest sense. 

The Office of Vice President for Research and Postgraduate Vice President is accountable for the following activities: 

• control, evaluate and monitor the works of research, project, publication and university- industry linkage and community services

• support staff in acquisition and contracting projects;

• seeks funding and other external support

• coordinate university wide national and international conferences, seminars and workshops

• organize annual research review seminars at university level

• disseminate research results through journals, proceeding and other methods

• represents RVUC on external meetings on research and publication issues

• chairs university research standing committee

• disseminate findings related to science and technology and new innovations to various university staff, the industry and the community at large

• create a substantial linkage between university and industry/community based on mutual education/internship, contractual/ applied research and knowledge and technology transfer;

• direct industry funded research projects through contracts and grants;

• prepares and coordinates formal licensing to university-industry owned patents and technology;

• promotes and develops university-industry exchange programs and postgraduate research

• coordinates the collaborative research projects of the industry and the university or other agencies

• supports schools, departments, institutes and other units to be involved in negotiations and contractual arrangements;

• maintains up to date records of contractual work and funded projects at the university;

• coordinates annual exhibition on technology interchange and partnership conferences for the industries involved in research

• supports all talented individuals in scouting technology and developing their talent by providing conducive and creative environment;

• ensures that all talent-oriented activities are observable, valid, genuine and practical;

• conducts quarterly supervision with the concerned leaders and partners; link technological innovations with market situation;

• assists teaching staff in the preparation of research proposals and soliciting funds from internal and external sources

• monitors, supervises and controls the proper utilization of research funds in collaboration with the finance department

• ensures the timely submission of progress and terminal reports of research projects

• ensures adherence to the research policies, rules and regulations of RVUC

• establishes and maintains good working relations with others within and outside the university

• initiates and implements policies that would enhance the provision of consultancy and community services to the local, regional and national organizations

• negotiates and enters into contracts with external entities on behalf of RVUC

• facilitates the academic staff training on advanced research methods and statistical applications.