Research, Publication, Ethics, and Dissemination (RPED) Directorate

(Under the Vice President for Academic, Research, Community Engagement, and Technology Transfer)Vision

To lead Werabe University in becoming one of Ethiopia’s top five comprehensive autonomous universities through ethical, innovative, and impact-oriented research and dissemination.

Overview

The RPED Directorate promotes a research culture grounded in ethics, thematic relevance, multidisciplinary collaboration, and technology-driven innovation. Working closely with colleges, schools, and partner institutions, RPED ensures that research activities address local and national priorities, while advancing the university’s mission: “Knowledge for Excellence.”

Core Responsibilities

Research Ethics & Integrity: Implementing SOPs and supporting the newly established Research and Ethics Board.

Research Thematization: Aligning research proposals with national development needs and university priorities.

Evaluation & Monitoring: Coordinating technical and financial evaluation of proposals and tracking implementation.

Dissemination & Access: Facilitating research sharing through conferences, publications, and policy briefs.

Technology Innovation: Developing systems such as RIMS, OJMS, graduate verification, and academic management tools.

Commercialization & IP: Managing patents, incubation, and transfer of innovations to external users.

Key Achievements

·       386 staff-led research projects approved since the university’s inception.

·       Collaborative research expanding with regional, national, and non-university partners.

·       Growing outputs: peer-reviewed publications, postgraduate thesis, conference proceedings, and policy briefs.

·       Two university multidisciplinary journals

·       Deployment and  transfer ready custom-built academic technology systems.

Collaboration & Structure

RPED collaborates with the 7 Colleges, 1 School, and 1 Institute hosting more than 600 facilitate involving in research and innovation under 8 thematic areas.

Technology transfer and community engagement, University-Industry linkage, Legal directorates are actively working with RPED to support innovation, IP protection, incubation and startups.

Get Involved

Students, faculty, and partners interested in research, ethics, publishing, or technology development are encouraged to contact RPED through:

 matewos@wru.edu.et

☎ +251912103812

?Administration Building, Room # 305