The Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, has launched a five-day training workshop on Research Administration. The program, held at the Hilton Hotel from September 22–26, 2025, is part of the broader collaborative initiative titled “Supporting the Transition of Ethiopia’s Public Universities to Autonomous Governance.”
Opening the workshop, Prof. Teketel Yohannes, Executive Director of EAS, warmly welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of building strong institutional frameworks for research management in Ethiopia.
Delivering keynote remarks, His Excellency Mr. Kora Tushune, State Minister for Higher Education Development, underscored that research in Ethiopian universities must move beyond academic exercise and focus on solving pressing societal and economic challenges. He stressed that research should not only generate knowledge but also lead to tangible transformations that benefit communities.
The workshop seeks to strengthen the capacity of Ethiopian universities by training qualified researchers and administrators in managing the technical, financial, and compliance aspects of sponsored research. This will enhance their ability to secure international funding and ensure accountability in research governance.
The training is led by a distinguished team of experts with extensive global experience. Prof. Wondwossen Gebreyes, member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine and advisor to the NIH Fogarty Board, heads the program. He is joined by Prof. Samuel Kariuki, Director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, and Dr. Tequam Worku, a former Study Director at the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Additional faculty include senior leaders in higher education, certified research administrators, and experts in sponsored program management.
Participants include 20 representatives from 10 public universities, two from each institution, primarily Vice Presidents for Research, directors of research, and senior faculty members with the potential to lead major projects and centers of excellence. In addition, representatives from EAS and the Ohio State Global One Health Initiative, Ethiopia Office, are also taking part. University presidents will join selected sessions to engage in high-level discussions on governance and institutional transformation.
Mr. Jonathan Koehler, Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, delivered welcoming remarks and provided an overview of the critical role research administrators play in public universities. He highlighted the workshop’s focus on grant management, funding strategies, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations.
Sharing best practices, Prof. Afework Kassu, Vice President of EAS and Director General of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), highlighted AHRI’s longstanding collaborations with federal, regional, and global institutions. He praised the enduring partnership between Jimma University and AHRI, noting their shared mission and commitment to advancing impactful research.
The Research Administration Training Workshop covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Pre- and post-award sponsored programs administration
- Proposal development, budgeting, submission, and review
- Legal and ethical issues in research
- Regulatory compliance and researcher responsibilities
- Fiscal management of grants and cooperative agreements
- Sub-award management and oversight
By the conclusion of the workshop, participants are expected to:
- Gain a clear understanding of the essential components of an effective research administration system.
- Develop advanced skills in proposal development, grant management, and sponsored program activities.
- This workshop marks a significant step toward building sustainable research ecosystems in Ethiopia, empowering universities to generate knowledge that drives national development and global engagement.
