Bahir Dar University is the one that can be considered a pioneer of the vision of a research university. The University has set a vision to become one of ten research universities in Africa by 2025 before any other Ethiopian university. Achieving this status is linked to having competent researchers, abundant resources, and good governance. Research universities are believed to significantly contribute to the nation’s socio-economic and cultural development. Transforming into a research university requires leaders who can view and develop university functions from multiple perspectives rather than a single viewpoint.
Koye Kassa Getahun’s study aims to understand the research university vision and its path within the academic leadership context of Bahir Dar University (BDU), Ethiopia.
The study employs a qualitative approach with a case study design, utilising document analysis and interviews for data collection. Qualitative data included four BDU’s strategic documents and interviews with sixteen informants. In the BDU context, the vision of a research university is linked to leveraging competitive advantages, enhancing research performance, and contributing to national socio-economic development.
To streamline processes and assign roles effectively, leadership activities include expanding postgraduate programmes, launching major research initiatives, and setting up standardised laboratories and research centres. To foster a dedicated and motivated staff, leadership focuses on capacity building and providing incentives. In terms of balancing power dynamics and forming alliances, the leadership’s perceived efforts include resource mobilisation, fair budget allocation, negotiation, and programme accreditation. To cultivate an appealing vision and culture, the leadership works on enhancing the research culture through various platforms and communicating the university’s vision to both internal and external stakeholders. Despite these efforts, the study identified various internal and external challenges the leaders are encountering.
The conceptualisation of a research university at BDU largely aligns with Western models, that may create challenges when adapting these definitions to the Ethiopian context. Therefore, it is crucial for higher education leaders to understand their organisational context through various leadership perspectives and adapt tasks accordingly to achieve optimal success. The study discusses practical, policy, and theoretical implications and offers suggestions for future research. The study offers valuable insights to higher education leaders and BDU’s stakeholders. Overall, the study addresses a significant research gap on issues that are related to the path towards research university vision in Ethiopia.
Public defence on Friday 4 April
M.Phil. Koye Kassa Getahun’s doctoral dissertation in the field of administrative sciences titled Research University Vision in the Leadership Context: Insights from Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Management and Business of Tampere University, at 12:00 on Friday 4 April. The opponent will be Associate Professor Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu, Uganda Management Institute, (Uganda). The Custos will be Senior Lecturer, Adjunct Professor Vuokko Kohtamäki, Faculty of Management and Business (Tampere University).