Research/Development, Community Engagement and Industrial Linkage
Driving Innovation and Empowering Knowledge Across Disciplines
I. Research and Development
Overview:
Welcome to Unity University, where research serves as a cornerstone of our commitment to excellence, innovation, and societal impact. As a leading private institution in Ethiopia, Unity University is dedicated to advancing knowledge and addressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and creative inquiry. From fundamental discoveries to applied solutions, our research enterprise spans a broad spectrum of disciplines, reflecting our dedication to addressing pressing societal challenges and advancing knowledge across multiple domains. The University prides itself on cultivating a research culture characterized by excellence, integrity, and inclusivity. Explore the vibrant research ecosystem that defines our institution, where scholars and researchers from diverse backgrounds come together to push the boundaries of knowledge and make a meaningful difference in Ethiopia and beyond.
Objectives of Research:
The main objectives of research at Unity University are aligned with our mission to advance knowledge, promote academic excellence, and address societal challenges. Our research endeavors are guided by the following four overarching objectives:
- Knowledge Expansion
- Center of Academic Excellence
- Linking Research and Teaching
- Solving Local and National Problems
Research Types:
Unity University places a strong emphasis on applied and action-oriented research that seeks to address real-world problems and generate tangible benefits for communities. By engaging with stakeholders, collaborating with local and international partners, and adopting participatory research approaches, we ensure that our research efforts are responsive to the needs and priorities of society. Whether it’s developing feasible business strategies, promoting innovative public health interventions, designing sustainable urban planning strategies, or promoting effective governance practices, our research is driven by a commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Research thematic and Sub-thematic areas Unity University
In line with its mission, setting research priority areas shall take into consideration the need and priority agendas of the nation, the existing socioeconomic and environmental problems of communities, the linkage between teaching and research, and their contribution to science, technology and quality of education. In addition, the University shall focus on knowledge creation and knowledge transfer agendas through problem-solving applied researches to seek viable solutions. The following thematic and sub-thematic areas are identified to be the priority research areas of Unity University.
Theme 1: Investment, Finance, and Economic Transformation
Suggested Sub-themes:
- Domestic and foreign direct investment trends and impacts
- Financial inclusion and digital finance
- Capital markets and economic growth
- Microfinance and SME development
- Investment climate and regulatory frameworks
Theme 2: Business Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Suggested Sub-themes:
- Leadership styles and organizational effectiveness
- Strategic management in emerging markets
- Women in leadership and entrepreneurship
- Corporate social responsibility and ethics
- Innovation ecosystems and start-up development
Theme 3: Public Health, Wellbeing, and Environmental Sustainability
Suggested Sub-themes:
- Community health and disease prevention
- Health systems strengthening and policy
- Environmental health and sanitation
- Climate change and public health impacts
- Nutrition and non-communicable diseases
Theme 4: ICT, Digital Innovation, and Knowledge Economy
Suggested Sub-themes:
- ICT for education, health, and agriculture
- Digital transformation in the public and private sectors
- Cyber-security and data governance
- Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies
- E-governance and smart cities
- Bridging the digital divide
Theme 5: Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Development Financing
Suggested Sub-themes:
- PPP in infrastructure and service delivery
- Legal and institutional frameworks for PPP
- Risk-sharing and financing models
- PPP in education, health, and housing sectors
- Community engagement in PPP projects
- Evaluation of PPP outcomes and effectiveness
Theme 6: Engineering, Infrastructure, and Urban Development
Suggested Sub-themes:
- Sustainable urban planning and smart cities
- Transportation and mobility solutions
- Renewable energy technologies and access
- Affordable housing and construction technologies
- Water, sanitation, and waste management
- Engineering education and research innovation
Theme 7: University-Industry-Government Collaboration
Suggested Sub-themes:
- Technology transfer and commercialization of research
- Internships, graduate employability, and skills development
- Innovation hubs and incubation centers
- Applied research for industry needs
- Policy frameworks for triple helix collaboration
- Enhancing practical training and cooperative education
Theme 8: Humanities, Culture, and Social Sciences
Suggested Sub-themes:
- Indigenous knowledge and cultural preservation
- Language, identity, and education
- Conflict resolution and peace building
- Social change, ethics, and civic engagement
- Migration, diaspora, and social integration
- Media, communication, and social influence
Theme 9: Cross-Cutting and Inclusive Development Issues
Suggested Sub-themes:
- Quality and equity in education
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Urban and rural poverty alleviation strategies
- Youth development and employment
- Governance, democracy, and accountability
- Disability inclusion and human rights
Organizational Structure:
The coordination of research activities at Unity University is overseen by the Research, Publications, and Community Service (RPCS) Unit. This unit serves as the central hub for facilitating research initiatives, fostering collaboration, and promoting community engagement. Research and publication efforts are further supported by the Senate Standing Committee for Research and Publication (SSCRP), which works together to provide guidance, support, and resources to researchers across the university. Through strategic coordination and collaboration, we strive to create an environment that fosters creativity, excellence, and impact in research.
Directives and Guidelines:
Unity University adheres to a set of directives and guidelines governing research procedures, resource utilization, research ethics, funding opportunities, and research documentation and publication. These guidelines ensure transparency, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of the research process, while also promoting ethical conduct and compliance with regulatory requirements. Researchers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these directives and guidelines to ensure the highest standards of research excellence and ethical conduct.
Collaborations and Partnerships:
Unity University values collaboration as a cornerstone of impactful research and innovation, and thus strives to strengthen its strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives with industry, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other academic institutions, both locally and globally. Through these partnerships, we leverage complementary expertise, resources, and networks to address complex challenges, drive innovation, and create positive societal impact, while nurturing a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence that transcends disciplinary boundaries and fosters new connections, ideas, and opportunities.
Research Publications:
Our publications encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings to comprehensive monographs, policy briefs, and technical reports. Each publication reflects the culmination of meticulous inquiry, scholarly prowess, and an unwavering dedication to propelling knowledge and comprehension forward in pivotal research domains. Additionally, we proudly present the “Ethiopian Journal of Business and Development”, a distinguished platform dedicated to fostering scholarly dialogue and disseminating groundbreaking research in the fields of business and development, further solidifying our commitment to academic excellence and intellectual discourse.
Research Events and Gatherings: Annual Multidisciplinary Research Workshop
Stay abreast of the latest research-related happenings by keeping tabs on our dynamic array of events, seminars, workshops, conferences, and guest lecture hosted by Unity University. These gatherings serve as invaluable platforms for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and networking, providing opportunities to interact with esteemed scholars, researchers, and practitioners from both national and international institutions. Additionally, we are proud to highlight our annual multidisciplinary research conferences, which have been a cornerstone of our academic calendar for over 20 years. These conferences feature proceedings, further enriching our scholarly community and facilitating knowledge dissemination on a national level.
Panel Discussion on Contemporary Issues
Unity University is organizing a panel discussion to address critical socio-economic issues in Ethiopia, fostering dialogue among experts, scholars, and stakeholders. The event aims to generate actionable solutions to pressing challenges and contribute to evidence-based policies and practices.
The sessions will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, and open forums designed to encourage active participation. Topics will cover leadership, climate change, digital transformation, cyber-security challenges, and other contemporary issues, reflecting the university’s multidisciplinary focus.
A list of proposed panel discussion topics has been identified, and presenters are being invited to participate. Presenters will be selected from both Unity University staff and external institutions, based on their expertise.
About Unity INSIGHTS (to be launched soon)
Unity Insights is a multidisciplinary magazine to be published by Unity University, designed as a platform for intellectual exchange, academic visibility, and societal engagement. The magazine will feature a rich blend of scholarly articles, reflective essays, expert opinions, and creative contributions across diverse fields such as diplomacy, economics, health, environment, technology, and education.
With a focus on both national and global relevance, Unity Insights will highlight research outputs, community initiatives, and inspiring stories emerging from Unity University, while amplifying the diverse voices and experiences of the wider Ethiopian community. Its mission is to foster informed dialogue, celebrate innovation, and contribute to Ethiopia’s development goals by bridging knowledge and practice.
Each issue will be curated around timely themes that reflect current societal challenges and opportunities, offering readers insights that are both thought-provoking and actionable. Through its inclusive and accessible approach, Unity Insights aspires to connect academia with the public and serve as a catalyst for positive change.
II. Community Services at Unity University
Unity University in Action: Empowering Communities through Service
Background:
Community service is historically associated with the third mission of universities with different labels such as outreach, service-learning, and community service learning, where the initiatives and processes in the areas of teaching and research are applied to address relevant community issues.
In addition to solving the socioeconomic problems of a community, community service helps promote pro-social development in the participants. Universities can develop an intellectual foundation for community engagement by integrating the key aspects of the university’s mission, teaching and research with the service providers and the community. One of the routes through which research findings are put into practice is through community service activities, and it is one of the research output dissemination mechanisms as well. The staff will also use community service to develop their career and promotional purpose. And more importantly, students through community service will practice leadership, problem-solving, collaboration with others, time management, and communication. It enables them to improve their self-esteem and develop a sense of responsibility, and sensitivity to the needs of others and the community at large.
In Ethiopia, the issue of community service, as one of the three pillars of HEI, has been validated both in the Revised Higher Education Proclamation No. 1152/2019 as well as in the recently issued directives from MoE (Directive No. 988/2024 and Directive No. 991/2024).
Community Services at Unity University:
As an institution deeply committed to fostering holistic development and societal impact, Unity University recognizes the invaluable role of community service in shaping responsible citizens and contributing to the betterment of society. The Community Service Initiative of Unity University aims to empower students, faculty, and staff to become active agents of positive change in their communities while advancing the university’s mission of promoting academic excellence, social responsibility, and ethical leadership. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and a commitment to sustainable development, Unity University seeks to make a meaningful and better change in the lives of individuals and communities it serves.
Unity University, guided by its motto “Quality is in all that we do,” aspires to be a center of excellence in academia and research. The University is committed to providing planned, professionally tailored services to the community and to actively responding to national development priorities.
The main objective of community service at Unity University is to nurture and apply academic knowledge, skills, and research findings to address the immediate societal challenges faced by communities. To this end, the University’s management has issued a directive to serve as a roadmap for delivering community services by its academic community.
Community Service Priority Areas:
Unity University sets priority areas for its community service endeavors pertaining to the focus of its academic programs such as business and management, public health, and technology and urban development issues. Accordingly, the following are identified as priority areas of the university.
- Business enterprises development and management,
- Banking and insurance-related concerns,
- Infectious and non-communicable diseases,
- Sanitation and environmental protection,
- Urban engineering, infrastructure and beautification,
- Capacity building and technology transfer, and
- Other cross-cutting issues.
Guiding Principles:
The Community Service Initiative of Unity University is guided by the following principles:
- Inclusivity: We believe in inclusive community engagement, ensuring that our service initiatives are accessible and beneficial to all members of the community, regardless of background or circumstances.
- Sustainability: Unity University is committed to implementing sustainable community service projects that have a lasting positive impact on the communities we serve, taking into account environmental, social, and economic factors.
- Ethical and Responsible Engagement: We adhere to ethical standards and principles of responsible engagement in all our community service activities, respecting the dignity, autonomy, and rights of individuals and communities.
- Reflection and Continuous Improvement: We recognize the importance of reflection and evaluation in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of our community service initiatives. Through ongoing assessment and feedback, we strive for continuous improvement and learning.
Key Components of Community Service:
- Volunteering Programs: Offering opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage in community service projects aligned with their areas of interest and expertise.
- Service-Learning Courses: Integrating community service into the academic curriculum to enhance students’ understanding of real-world issues and promote experiential learning.
- Community Partnerships: Establishing collaborations with local governments, NGOs, businesses, and community-based organizations to address pressing social challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
- Outreach and Awareness Campaigns: Organizing events, workshops, and awareness campaigns to educate the community about important social issues and promote active citizenship.
- Impact Assessment: Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of community service initiatives and assess their impact on both the university and the communities served.
Implementation Strategy:
Unity University will implement its Community Service Initiatives through:
- Establishing a unit responsible for coordinating and overseeing community service initiatives;
- Regularly evaluating the outcomes and impact of community service projects;
- Integrating into the curriculum and promoting experiential learning;
- Allocating required resources;
- Fostering partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders that enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of our community service efforts.