6th African Graduate Students Conference Kicks Off at Bahir Dar University

Bahir Dar University; May 05, 2018

The two-day 6th African Graduate Students Conference, organized by the Graduate School of Bahir Dar University, has officially commenced at Wisdom Hall.

The conference serves as a platform for master’s and PhD students from across Africa to present their research findings and exchange academic experiences. According to organizers, the event aims to enable graduate students to receive scholarly feedback on their research works, create a platform for addressing African challenges through research and innovation, and enhance students’ research culture and digital skills.

In his opening remarks, the President of Bahir Dar University, Dr. Mengesha Ayene, emphasized that the university is among Ethiopia’s leading institutions in research and community development. He noted that the conference serves as a platform for promoting digital transformation and generating new knowledge. He further stated that the research conducted by graduate students would play a vital role in fostering national and continental peace, innovation, and economic development.

The guest of honor, Dr. Kora Tushune, State Minister of Education, underscored the significance of the conference in nurturing visionary scientists, engineers, and health professionals. He added that such academic forums are essential for solving African problems through African-based research initiatives.

Among the highlights of the conference were keynote addresses delivered by Professor Alemayehu Geda and Dr. Seid Muhie, who joined virtually from abroad. The keynote speakers represented Addis Ababa University and University of Hamburg, respectively.

In his presentation, Dr. Seid emphasized the growing importance of AI literacy, the role of artificial intelligence in ensuring rapid and high-quality data analysis, and the ethical implications of technology use in research. Professor Alemayehu, on his part, explored the macroeconomic factors contributing to Africa’s economic challenges and proposed African-centered structural economic reforms as a pathway to addressing the continent’s economic crises.

Apart from the keynote addresses, 146 research papers by graduate students will be presented and discussed during the conference. The conference will continue tomorrow, during which outstanding research presentations in various thematic areas are expected to receive recognition.