The Africa Centre of Excellence for Management (ACEWM) was established to address the need to develop highly skilled human resource capable of handling more complex water management problems in a holistic, integrative and transformative approach.
Click the below link to apply for the training.
The title of Dr Adem’s dissertation is “Water Quality Characteristics, Trophic Status and Aquatic Communities in Response to Water Level Fluctuation in Lake Ardibo, Ethiopia”. In Lake Ardibo which was found in a mesotrophic state Dr Adem identified 66 species of phytoplankton, grouped in 7 phyla, including Bacillariophyta (23 taxa), Chlorophyta (21 taxa), Cyanophyta (14 taxa), Euglenophyta (3 taxa), Charophyta (2 taxa), Dinophyta (2 taxa) and Cryptophyta (1 taxon).
Key findings from the study include Temporal rather than abiotic factors far influenced phytoplankton dynamics. 33 species of zooplankton have been recorded, including rotifers (18 species), cladocerans (11 species), and cyclopoid copepods (4 species). Zooplankton abundance varied significantly by season, with peak abundance (4232.13 ind. L −1 ) in the dry season and lowest abundance (402.42 ind. L −1) during the long rainy period. 20 Macrophyte species belonging to 13 families were identified.
Dr Adem’s Study also indicated Cyperaceae reached the highest relative frequency (42.214%), followed by Ceratophyllaceae (17.623%) and Potamogetonaceae (13.525%). The abundance of floating leaf species increased during the high water level period, while the abundance of submerged macrophytes increased during the low water level phase.
The board of examiners which evaluated Dr. Adem’s Dissertation consisted of the chairperson Prof. Feleke Zewge , Director of ACEWM, his internal examiner, Dr. Demeke Kifle of Addis Ababa University and his external examiner, Prof. Zinabu Gebremariam of Hawassa University. The dissertation was mainly supervised by Prof. Seyoum Mengistou and Co supervised by Prof.Tadesse Fetahi both from Addis Ababa University.
Speaking after his successful defense, Dr. Adem expressed his gratitude for the support and guidance received throughout his doctoral journey. He emphasized the importance of collaborative, interdisciplinary research in addressing the complex water management challenges, and reaffirmed his commitment to contributing to sustainable environmental management and conservation efforts in Ethiopia and beyond.
The Director of Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management, Prof. Feleke Zewge recently made a momentous visit to Hohai University in Nanjing, China. This visit marks an essential moment in the partnership between the two academic institutions and highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in tackling global water and environmental challenges.
Hohai University which got its name from mandarin word “Hohai”, literally means River and sea, is famous in the disciplines related to hydrology, water resources, hydraulic engineering, coastal engineering and marine engineering.
The leader of ACEWM, Prof. Feleke who is renowned expert in environmental Chemistry, during his visit engaged in fruitful deliberations with faculty members and researchers at Hohai University, sharing precious insights and expertise in the field of water education and research. The exchange of knowledge and ideas between these two well-regarded institutions holds promising potential for innovative advancement in addressing pressing environmental issues, especially in the realm of water resource management and sustainability.
On the discussion with Hohai University representatives Prof. Feleke explained 11 Potential collaboration areas namely Water purification, monitoring and restoration of lakes and reservoirs, environmental biotechnology, urban water management, water quality, decentralized waste water treatment, water harvesting, climate change, water conservation ,sanitation, and water governance. Hohai University showed strong interest to jointly develop international projects for possible funding by the Chinese Government.
In addition to fostering academic partnership, Professor Feleke Zewge’s visit provided an opportunity to reinforce cultural connections and reciprocal understanding between Ethiopia and China. His presence at Hohai University serves as a testament to the shared commitment to advancing environmental research and education on a global scale.
As the leader of Regional Center of Excellence Prof. Feleke Zewge continued to take part in a pivotal role in driving initiatives that promote sustainable water practices and environmental stewardship. His visit to Hohai University exemplifies the importance of such international cooperation in addressing the complex challenges facing our planet and emphasizes the potential for impactful change through cross-border collaboration.
The promising outcomes of Professor Feleke Zewge’s visit are sure to resonate within the academic and environmental communities, as the cooperation between Addis Ababa University and Hohai University lay concrete on the way for prospective endeavors in pressing on water education and research on an international level.
THE STATUS OF AUTONOMY WILL ENABLE ETHIOPIA’S OLDEST UNIVERSITY TO FULLY FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
The Interim President of Addis Ababa University, Dr. Samuel Kifle has said the milestone pronouncement by the Council of Ministers which granted the status of autonomy to Addis Ababa University will make Ethiopia’s oldest University free from political pressure with full focus on education and research.
The academic and administrative staffs of the College of Natural and Computational Sciences have held discussions with interim leadership of the University on the agenda of finalizing the process of the University’s Autonomy.
The interim President, who mentioned the fact that lack of academic freedom has been a problem that many intellectuals in the country have complained about, asserted AAU is projected to serve as an example for other publicly owned Higher Education Institutions.
The University’s Administration and Student Service Vice President Dr. Abdurezak Mohammed on his part stated the preparation of 12 reform documents are among the key transitional works being undertaken on the way to the University’s full autonomy.
On the discussions held at Arat Kilo Campus, top Management of the College which include Prof.Tileye Feyissa, the Dean of College of Natural and Computational Sciences and Prof. Feleke Zewge, The Director of Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management have presented the overall performance and future directions of their work areas mentioning their adherence to collaborate with the interim leadership.
The College’s staff members had expressed their pleasure on the Autonomous honor conferred to the University; forwarded different suggestions on the meeting and discussions were made with the interim Leadership.
Dr. Samuel has said the interim leadership is working to finalize the process of autonomy with ultimate vigilance not to make any fault in the journey but also with appreciable speed not be late.
The interim leadership of the AAU headed by the President Dr Samuel Kifle, has also paid a brief visit to ACEWM’s facility, an Internationally Accredited Regional Center of Excellence.
The Autonomous status of Addis Ababa University was declared by the law passed on 4 August by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers.
Call for Application for Admission PhD Program in One Health for 2023/24 Academic Year
| Programs | Tracks | Academic Requirements |
| PhD |
One Health |
Master of Science Degree (MSc) or equivalent in any of the Health Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, environmental sciences, water technology, urban design, housing, urban planning environmental planning construction technology, Biomedical engineering, chemical and environmental engineering, and related fields from a recognized institution. |
Duration of the Programs
- The PhD program will have a duration of 4 years and the MSc program will have a duration of 2 years.
Mode of Delivery
- Both programs are delivered on full-time bases, and the teaching methodology will be through lectures, seminars, field-based studies, video conferences and technology-enhanced learning approaches. The medium of instruction throughout the study is English.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ph.D. applicants must have a Master’s Degree earned from a recognized college or university with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale orequivalent in ECTS. However, applicants with grade point averages between 3.0 and 3.5 will also be considered based on their experience and achievement. (Applicants whose undergraduate Cumulative GPA is not less than 2.75 for males and not less than 2.50 for females on a 4.0 scale is a plus)
- Applicants to the Ph.D. program should provide for research experience with high caliber skills in research. This includes a scientific paper/semanating from an MSc thesis work published in a reputable journal or otherevidence demonstrating the capacity to conduct high-quality research.
- Applicants who have completed their degree/diploma from foreign universities are required to obtain their degree/diploma equivalent from the FDRE Education andTraining Authority (ETA) before admission. (Academic documents authentication by the relevant office is mandatory for admission).
- The age limit at the time of application for Ph.D. 45 years or less.
- Applicants are required to take and pass entrance examination (written and/or oral)
General Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants who have completed their degree/diploma from foreign universities are required to obtain their degree/diploma equivalent from the FDRE Education andTraining Authority (ETA) before admission. (Academic documents authentication by the relevant office is mandatory for admission).
- Applicants must have sufficient knowledge of the English language and provide proof of proficiency.
- Applicants are required to take and pass entrance examination (written and oral), and the Graduate Admission Test (GAT) (For details, please check on Telegram: t.me/aauGAT)
- Applicants need to meet also the general requirements laid down by Addis Ababa University
Application Requirements and Procedures (Submit all documents compiled in one pdf file)
- A cover page containing the applicant’s full name as it appears on the applicant’s ID/Passport, full contact details including residential and postal address, email and telephone number (s), and intended field of study
- A copy of the identification card/Passport of the applicant,
- Detailed curriculum vitae not exceeding 4 pages,
- Authenticated copies of previous degrees and official transcripts from previous university/college,
- Applicants wishing to pursue a PhD program should submit a concept note not exceeding 5 pages along with the application documents
- Applicants for PhD programs should be willing to undertake their full-time research in Ethiopia
- A personal statement/motivation letter describing the candidate’s interest to join the program not exceeding 500 words,
- Three letters of recommendation from instructors/supervisors from previous educational institution, organizations,
- Applicants sponsored by their institutions are required to submit a sponsorship letter from their institution
- Employed applicants must provide a letter of full commitment from their employers that they will be granted study leave.
Fellowship
- Cost-Sharing clearance documents for Ethiopian applicants are required.
- Certificate of professional experience if any is a plus
The Urban-Suburban Project funded by NORAD through the NORHEDII Program and coordinated by the ACEWM, will providelimited financial support for living expenses and research for those who successfully joined the MSc in One Health and the PhD in One health programs.
*** Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted through their emails. |
ALL4WASH Summer school brings together future Water specialists from Africa and Norway to learn from each other
The Norpart Erasmus Capacity building project led by Prof Natasha Potgieter, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, recently held a successful two-week 2023 summer school for postgraduate Master and Doctoral students. Facilitators were from Norway, Mali, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. A total of 30 delegates were part of the summer school for the 2 weeks, while the 4 students from Norway stayed until 20 July to work further with the ONE HEALTH research group in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture.
Group photo of the whole delegation
Norway delegation who stayed for 3 weeks to work with the UNIVEN students in the field
This project has one Master student from Ghana who will spend three months as part of the capacity building and she will be working under the mentorship of Prof Traore and Prof Potgieter. Beatrice Addai-Yeboah is a results-oriented engineer with over nine years of experience working on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH Projects), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, and other engineering assignments. She has experience working as a Water Treatment Engineer and Environmental, Health, and Safety Engineer with an Independent Power Producer in the energy sector and has developed Standard Operating Procedures for several industries in the sector. She is multidisciplinary and has functioned excellently in other sectors such as the social sector. She has efficiently worked on several Socio-economic Baseline Studies, Social Impact Assignments, Resettlement Action Plans, and Gender and Poverty Assessments among others for several national projects.
Beatrice works as a Research Assistant with Social and Engineering Professionals Limited (SnE) in Accra, Ghana. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation. She has taken advanced courses in water treatment, and wastewater management among other courses which has deepened her understanding of the challenges and complexities of providing clean water and adequate sanitation. She is currently researching the “Impact of pollution on urban surface water quality in the Kumasi Metropolis – A Case Study of the Aboabo River.” Aside from being a career woman and student, Beatrice is a wife and mother of two.
Masters student from Ghana, who will be working on a project for 3 months at UNIVEN
The theme of the 2023 summer school in South Africa was “Achieving social inclusion through water quality management”. The first day started with a GENDER IN WASH WORKSHOP and during the remaining two weeks, the delegates spent time working in groups doing theory, practical sessions in the Microbiology laboratories and going out to the field where they were put into teams to assess water quality and investigate WASH activities around the water sources and water storage practices. They also visited a water treatment plant and had time to learn more about the Venda culture.
Delegates in the lab learning how to assess water quality
Mashamba potters visit
Muhajir Mussa has successfully defended his PhD dissertation
Muhajir Mussa who is a PhD Candidate at ACEWM in the field of Water Science and Technology, has successfully defended his PhD dissertation entitled “Optimization of Cadmium Adsorption in Soil Water Amended with Bamboo Sandust and Rice Husk Biochar” on March 28, 2023.
The general objective of this research is to study the optimization of cadmium adsorption in soil-water matrix amended with locally available bamboo saw dust and rice husk co-char. Muhajir has published 5 research articles in highly reputable peer reviewed journals.
His thesis was supervised by Dr. Yonas Chebude and Dr. Beteley Tekola, Deputy Director-ACEWM of Addis Ababa University.
The examiners were Prof. Francisco Medina Cabello from Universitat Rovira, Virglli of Spain, and Prof. Feleke Zewge, Director-ACEWM of Addis Ababa University. The session was chaired by Dr. Adey Feleke from Addis Ababa University. Mr. Muhajir is an instructor at Dodoma University of Tanzania.
Africa of Excellence for Water Management, AAU Call for Application for Admission in 2023/2024 Academic Year
ACEWM PhD candidates have successfully defended their PhD dissertation© 2025 ACEWM. All rights reserved.