Research, Publication, Ethics, and Dissemination (RPED) Directorate
Center of Excellence
Bule Hora University is categorized as a comprehensive university and is continually working to become an applied university while adhering to its motto, “We strive for excellence.” The university focuses on excellence in four key areas: mining, indigenous knowledge, agriculture, and health.
In the mining sector, the BHU catchment area is rich in precious minerals, such as gold, copper, tantalum, and ceramics. These mineral resources are not well explored, which presents a potential area for research and development. Properly utilizing these resources can benefit both the local community and the country sustainably.
Regarding indigenous knowledge, the BHU catchment area is rich in traditional wisdom and ancient culture. It is known for the Oromo Gadaa system (Sirna Gadaa), which has cultural values that have been preserved for generations. The majority of the Guji Oromo people live in this area, and many ethnic groups coexist peacefully, sharing their values and indigenous knowledge. This rich cultural heritage allows for various research opportunities and the development of undergraduate to postdoctoral programs focused on local culture and values.
In the field of agriculture, the BHU catchment area has both natural and man-made resources, including natural forests, cash crops, and livestock. The area features semi-lowland and low terrain in the south, as well as high terrain and a humid climate in the north. These conditions provide valuable research opportunities suitable for diverse agricultural activities. The area can serve as a center for adapting the best seeds for the environment, improving animal products, and breeding high-quality vegetables and legumes.
Research Themes at BHU
- Assessment of potential area of minerals and rock quarry site
- Exploration for gemstones and semi-precious stones
- Geological and geomorphological characterization of landforms
- Geological structure and geomorphology responsible for occurrence of minerals
- Groundwater exploration, quality monitoring, and vulnerability assessment
- Metamorphism and deformation history of rocks
- Mining pollution, waste, and hazard management
- Mining safety and health issues
- Multipurpose geological and geotechnical map development
- Precious, base metals, and associated minerals exploration
- Tectonic and structural setting and history
- Climate change adaptation and indigenous wisdom
- Cultural stocks in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas
- Folk medicine and healthcare traditions
- Heritage conservation and indigenous knowledge
- Indigenous agricultural practices, preservation, and food security
- Indigenous ecological knowledge and biodiversity conservation
- Indigenous knowledge in community empowerment and education
- Indigenous knowledge of governance and decision-making
- Indigenous peoples economic and trade cooperation
- Indigenous technologies and innovations
- Animal disease epidemiology and development of disease management packages
- Animal genetic resources conservation, improvement, and management
- Development and promotion of livestock production and management
- Indigenous knowledge and practices for animal health problems
- Livestock diseases, causes, and impacts on public health and economy
- Pastoral and agro-pastoral livestock productivity improvement
- Rangeland management, animal feeding, and nutrition
- Agro-forestry, integrated crop production, and management
- Coffee production and supply chain management
- Crop improvement and adaptation
- Crop protection and post-harvest technologies
- Conservation of coffee genetic resources
- Dryland crop management and cropping systems
- Indigenous trees/shrubs and medicinal/aromatic plants
- Plant nutrition and environmental sustainability
- Biodiversity maintenance and mechanisms for ecological balance
- Climate change and environmental protection
- Deforestation, land degradation, and rehabilitation
- Fast growing, drought-resistant, and multi-purpose tree species
- Indigenous natural forest resource conservation and management
- Integrated pollution prevention and control strategies
- Multi-purpose water resource assessment, development, utilization, and management
- Sustainable land conservation strategies
- Sustainable natural resource and watershed management
Duties & Responsibilities
Assists the President and Vice President with research-related activities.
Acts as a link between the university and the community for mutual research initiatives.
Monitors research progress and promotes performance evaluation across academic units.
Ensures research budgets are reasonable and funds are properly allocated.
Coordinates and facilitates innovative research activities.
Designs strategies for establishing research facilities and oversees implementation.
Disseminates research outputs and promotes consultancy services.
Ensures ethical standards and research quality are maintained.
Facilitates partnerships with national and international research stakeholders.
Leads planning, organizing, and monitoring of all research activities.
Organizes symposiums, workshops, and seminars on research themes.
Supports and facilitates collaborative research programs with donors.
Research Centers
Mission
To enhance the university's research capacity by providing researchers with opportunities to conduct demand-driven research aligned with national policy directions.
Vision
To promote problem-solving research that makes the university competitive at both national and international levels.
Aim
To conduct quality research and consistently disseminate findings to advance knowledge and understanding of society.
Kercha Research Center
The Kercha Research Center aims to become a leading hub for coffee research and development, contributing to improved coffee production, quality, and sustainability in the region and beyond.
Finchawa Research Center
Finchawa Research Center focuses on improving dryland agriculture, particularly livestock development. It works on drought-resistant crops, livestock nutrition, and enhancing agricultural productivity while providing technical support and training to local farmers.
Institutional Research Review Board
Posted by Admin on Thursday, 20 February 2025
IRRB Key Responsibilities
- The IRRB rigorously reviews research proposals to assess their ethical soundness and methodological rigor.
- The IRRB makes informed decisions to approve or disapprove research proposals based on ethical considerations and compliance with relevant regulations.
- The IRRB monitors ongoing research projects to ensure adherence to approved protocols and ethical standards.
- The IRRB takes proactive measures to protect the rights and well-being of research participants, including addressing any ethical concerns or violations.
