"Prepare a thematic strategy for research for a real or fictional university. THEMATIC STRATEGY FOR RESEARCH- DILLA UNIVERSITY, ETHIOPIAIntroduction to Dilla UniversityDilla University is the largest educational facility among the many institutions found inGedeo zone, Ethiopia, East Africa. As an educational excellence and research centre, DillaUniversity strives to attain its vision and ensure the socio-economic development of thesurrounding, national and international community as a whole. The research strategydiscussed in the paper is for the period of five years, 2017-2022. The aim of the researchstrategy is to use the available resources of the university and plan for the future needs andskill requirement. The focus remains on the contribution of the university in Ethiopia andEast Africa region.Mission of Dilla UniversityThe mission of Dilla University is to prepare knowledgeable, skilled and mature graduates inEthiopia and East Africa. It also aims to provide training and community services pertinent tothe country’s and the region’s priority needs. The university will promote research, but notlimit itself, in areas that are prioritised in the national educational and social developmentpolicies of the country.1 VisionGiven the tremendous expertise of the faculty in virtually every discipline that affectshumanity and the planet, Dilla University can play a powerful role in addressing the globalproblems by advancing solutions that are sustainable, equitable, promote diversity and socialjustice. The areas in which the research strategy will focus on are following:Disciplinary Excellence and Strategic LeadershipDilla university aims to publish high quality, impactful research, with an overall profile ofover 35% world-leading publications. One of the objectives is to be recognised both in Africaand internationally for the application of research which would benefit industry, commerce,government and society as a whole. Technologies for the 21st centuryAt the very centre of all engineering disciplines are basic sciences that will be advanced andpromoted. With its focus on future skills and technologies, Dilla University aims to build afuture without walls by forming multiple cross-disciplinary teams to address the world's mostchallenging problems. According to World Economic Forum 2016, the ten most challengingproblems of the world are:-1. Agriculture and food security, 2. Economic growth and 3. Social inclusion, 4. Environment and natural resource security, 5. The future of the global financial systems, 6. Gender parity, 2 7. International trade, investment and long term investing, 9. Infrastructure and development and 10. Healthcare.In order to address these challenging world issues, Dilla University aims to foster a long- term, strategic relationships with companies, foundations, governmental organizations, andother partners to advance research. There is a very strong need for a culture of innovation forthe future, for this purpose it is important to nurture the next generation of globallyrecognised engineers and researchers.Maintain Competitive and Sustainable Funding Mechanisms.Economic resources and funding opportunities are primary needs for a successful researchstrategy. Dilla University will introduce competition-based fund allocation for colleges andindividual researchers in the university. The objective is to gain approximately 30 percent ofthe research funds from the private sector by the year 2022. There is also a plan to generateapproximately 10 percent of the research budget from philanthropic sources. At least 15percent of the research expenditures will be covered with funds from internal sources.Dissemination, Communication and Knowledge Sharing.Dilla University plans to organize international annual research conference. The papers andproceedings of the conferences and the research findings will be published on the open accessjournals. The final report of the research findings will be distributed and shared with our keystakeholders.The research findings will also be shared with the general public through the available mediaoutlets. By promoting an environment of innovation, solutions will be delivered to theuniversity partners in industry, public, and wider community, nationally and internationally.3 Dilla university aims at 20 percent of its research with industries and 40 percent with theregional community through effective partnerships.By building synergies between research and innovation strengths as well by creatingconditions for maximum research impact at both national and international level. Theresearch strategy will also raise the profile of the University and extend our influence throughtargeted innovation forums for key stakeholders in government, industry and the third sectortwice every year. The university will develop structures and programs that encourage 15% ofhigh achieving undergraduates to pursue postgraduate research degrees at the DillaUniversity.Since Dilla university is committed to the development and promotion of Ethiopia and eastAfrica, it will introduce a university-wide, recruitment strategy for both Ethiopian andinternational postgraduate research students. There is an aim to ensure that all thepostgraduate researchers work in an environment that integrates them into the wideruniversity research culture. Parameters for evaluationsDilla University will benchmark its success in terms of the outcomes of its educational andresearch programs, research impact, publications, awards, international recognition or otherareas deemed appropriate according to academic unit, discipline and activity. ConclusionThe research strategy for Dilla University, Ethiopia, is focussed at enhancing the knowledgeand skills of students from Ethiopia and East Africa. The university aims at providing qualityteaching and research environment aligned with the national policies of the country. Theobjectives of the research strategy are to address the local challenges as well as the globalchallenges of the future.4 ReferencesDilla University. 2016. Retrieved at www.du.edu.etHutt, Rosamond. What are the 10 biggest global challenges? Retrieved athttps://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/what-are-the-10-biggest-global-challenges/University of Toronto. 2016. Strategic research plan 2012- 2017. Retrieved athttp://www.research.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SRP-2012-web.pdf5 "