Research & Technology Transfer Directorate

The health problem in the South Ethiopia Region is wide and diverse with complex challenges. To address this, public health research plays an important role in generating and disseminating evidence-based information to improve the health of the general public. The large magnitude of disease and nutritional problems affecting the well-being of the people can be well addressed through priority setting and emphasis on research areas of immediate importance for control measures. In addition to biomedical research which is traditionally taken as the only focus for health research, other problems associated with healthcare delivery by health facilities and health-seeking behavior by the community are important research areas which are address several cross-cutting issues. With these in mind, the institute assigned the Research and Technology Transfer Directorate to facilitate problem-solving research activities and dissemination of the findings to improve various control efforts.

Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, has four sub-processes, research agenda setting and proposal review; research project execution, technology transfer and research finding dissemination as well as cross-cutting issues like research capacity development and research partnership. The research and technology transfer organizational set-up is process-based such that the research discipline is addressed in terms of disease, nutrition, traditional and modern medicine and environmental studies that will target specific objectives and deliver desired outcomes which is vital for health promotion, disease prevention and control.

Vision

To be a center of excellence in research and technology transfer in Ethiopia

Mission

To generate evidence to address public health problems and to guide the implementation of different health programs in the South Ethiopia Region.

Objectives

The objective of the Research and Technology Transfer Directorate is to bring high-quality research evidence for decision-making that addresses community health problems effectively and efficiently in terms of quality, cost, time and customer satisfaction and thereby contribute to the achievements of health sector plans and impact health policies.

Major Activities

The research and technology transfer directorate performs the following major activities, but not limited to:

• • Identify public health problems needing research
  • Initiate and coordinate health research activities
  • Conduct ethical reviews on proposed health research papers. Oversee ethical standards for the conduct of research (including issues of scientific integrity, financial management, financial and business conflicts of interest, grant and contract compliance, etc.)
  • Capacity building on health research
  • Search for a budget to conduct research
  • Disseminate research findings. Organize periodic research symposiums/forums on interdisciplinary topics dealing with issues pertaining to public health problems, present findings in review meetings and also publish on peer-reviewed reputable scientific journals.
  • Follow up and evaluation of health research (coordinate, monitor and appraise the performance of various research activities)
  • Formulate research strategies, performance indicators, and procedures necessary to ensure the successful implementation of research
  • Promote interdisciplinary and collaborative thematic research projects
  • Support and oversee adaptations of health technologies
  • Plan, promote and carry out close work relations and linkages with appropriate government research and development agencies/institutions desired outcomes which is vital for health promotion, disease prevention and control.