Office of the Vice President for Research & Collaboration at Hawassa University, supported by Advancing Sustainability, Excellence and Capacity of HU-OA Journals Project, conducted a validation workshop for Capacity Building Training on Sustainability Plan of Hawassa University’s Open Access (HU-OA) Journals, August 11, 2026.
Prof. Mebratu Mulatu, the HU-OA Journals Project lead, explained the objective of the validation workshop as a platform intended to gather feedbacks and handover the sustainability plan for the project so that the legacy of advancing Hawassa University research journals towards internationalization. He remarked that there have been continuous assessments on the project implementation and the visible improvements in quality and accessibility registered so far.
Dr. Tafesse Matewos, V/President for Research & Collaboration stated in his opening speech that the project has been making significant contributions for the visible progress of the university’s ten research journals, and he is grateful for the donors, project writers and implementers. He mentioned that his office is highly committed to sustain the progress of having eight of these journals nationally accredited to getting them international visibility and indexing. Dr. Tafesse urged all stakeholders including the college deans and associates as well as journal management and editorial to work hand-in-hand for excellence with devotion and highest standards.
Dr. Rahmeto Abebe, coordinator of the project, also highlighted the current portfolio of HU-OA journals, opportunities and challenges for securing international accreditation, the importance of global indexing for the academic staff and the university’s international visibility and accessibility, and how to sustain the progress made so far in terms of strengthening the governance, staff and editorial of HU journals.
College deans and associates, journal editors and managers from all colleges and Institute of Technology and directors and coordinators of the university’s research office participated in the validation workshop where very important feedback and recommendations for the HU-OA Journals Project’s sustainability plan as it well suits the context with hearty appreciations.
