Message from the Research, Publication, Ethics and Extension Director, Salale University

Welcome to the Research, Publication, Ethics and Extension Directorate (RPEED) of Salale University.

Research is at the heart of our commitment to generating knowledge, solving societal problems, promoting innovation, and contributing to sustainable development. At RPEED, we are committed to fostering a culture of quality, integrity, innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility.

Our priority is to promote demand-driven and problem-solving research aligned with Salale University’s thematic research priorities. We strive to strengthen research capacity, enhance publication quality and visibility, uphold ethical standards, mobilize research funding, support innovation and technology transfer, and connect research outcomes with communities and development partners. The directorate also emphasizes demand-driven, problem-solving, and ethically conducted research that addresses local, national, regional, and global development challenges. It identifies seven priority thematic research areas: Agriculture and Food Security; Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; Health Sciences and Biomedical Research; Science, Engineering and Technological Innovation; Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development; Culture, Tourism and Indigenous Knowledge; and Governance, Ethics and Legal Systems. These themes are intended to promote multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and practical solutions that contribute to sustainable development and community well-being.

We also recognize that meaningful research goes beyond generating knowledge. Its true value lies in translating evidence and innovation into practical solutions that improve lives and contribute to national development. Therefore, we encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, responsible research practices, high-quality publications, and stronger university–community and institutional partnerships. I invite our academic staff, researchers, postgraduate students, partners, and the wider university community to actively engage in research, publication, ethics, innovation, and extension activities. Together, through our motto “Co-Creating Quality,” we can strengthen Salale University’s research excellence and advance its aspiration to become among the leading comprehensive universities in Ethiopia.

Background of Research and Extension Director

Research is crucial for economic development, fueling innovation, productivity, and technological progress. It underpins new products, industries, and efficient processes, boosting growth and national welfare. By creating new technologies and solutions, research increases competitiveness across sectors. It helps optimize resources, reduce costs, and improve quality, leading to higher productivity and wealth. Research often spurs new industries like the internet, biotech, and renewable energy, creating jobs and diversifying the economy. It also tackles social and environmental challenges, advancing healthcare, education, and sustainability for a better society. Moreover, research informs public policy, enabling targeted interventions. Overall, investing in research drives innovation, growth, and prosperity, serving as a key driver for a sustainable future.

Research is vital for SlU's mission, with the university leading in research degrees, publishing, and community transfer. Its culture aims for national and international recognition, focusing on partnerships in sectors like agro-industry, tourism, health, and nutrition. The Research and Extension Directorate (RED) manages research goals, training, grants, partnerships, and reporting. The university has completed over 555 projects and published 350+ papers. It plans to establish four research centers across disciplines, including centers for Equine, Coffee, and Fruits, as well as cultural, business, and science labs. New laboratories in health, engineering, and natural sciences support research and training. Additionally, three academic journals promote scholarly work in health, social sciences, and business. These efforts are key to achieving the university's strategic goals.

Recently, SlU has begun implementing a thematic research approach to speed up demand-driven research outcomes according to the Ministry of Education. The University adopts this approach to address local and national community priorities, developing research themes through stakeholder consultation, focusing on prioritized areas while considering national and international trends. The University works with determination, perseverance, and diligence to achieve its goals in collaboration with relevant stakeholders despite challenges.

Vision

• In line with the vision of Salale University, the Directorate is eager to advance research and extension excellence in support of the University’s aspiration to become among the leading comprehensive institutions in Ethiopia by 2030.

Mission

• In line with the mission of Salale University, the Directorate aspires to generate impactful, problem-solving research that addresses societal needs and contributes to local and national development priorities.

Key Activities, Main Functions and Expected Outputs of RPEED

Key Activities

• Promote problem-driven research aligned with societal and national priorities
• Enhance research quality, productivity, and publication output
• Manage research grants and funding
• Expand access, visibility, and dissemination of research findings
• Strengthen partnerships and secure external research funding
• Support innovation, technology transfer, and commercialization
• Ensure equity, inclusiveness, and ethical compliance in research
• Main Functions
• Conduct and coordinate problem-solving research
• Increase scientific productivity and research impact
• Mobilize grants through collaboration with development partners
• Facilitate commercialization of research outputs and innovations
• Strengthen and oversee the research ethics review system
• Expected Outputs
• Increased volume of problem-solving research projects
• Publications in reputable, peer-reviewed journals
• External funding secured from development partners
• Marketable research outputs and innovations generated

Motto

• The motto of Salale University is ‘Co-Creating Quality’; hence RPEED is striving to produce quality research outputs.

Focus Area

The RPEED is committed to conduct quality and impactful research in the following focus areas aligned with its seven grand themes:

• Agriculture and Natural Resource
• Medical and Health Sciences
• Natural and Computational Sciences
• Technology
• Business and Social Science

Core values

The RPEED is adhered to Salale University Core values:

• Quality
• Innovation
• Diversity and Inclusiveness
• Team Spirit
• Professionalism
• Transparency and Accountability