IPDR was established as Center for Policy Development Research (CPDR) in 2015. However, its name was changed into IPDR by the approval of Hawassa University Senate Executive Committee (SEC) with slight modification on its structure.  Since its establishment, the Institute has been working closely with local, national and international partners and government organizations. Most importantly, the institute has managed to setup effective network with various offices of the SNNPRS in view of strengthening the University-Industry Linkage in the one hand, and contributing towards the achievement of HU’s mission in lieu of providing effective community service.

In so doing, it is contributing for the on-going development effort in the region and the nation at large. So far, IPDR has successfully undertaken large and medium scale research projects with five regional bureaus. These include: The Bureau of Women and Children’s Affairs (BoWCA), Bureau of Youth and Sports (BoYS), Bureau of Housing and Urban Development (BoHUD), Bureau of Trade and Industry (BoT&I), Bureau of Public Services and Human Resources Development (BoPSHRM).  

In addition to its fruitful partnership and cooperation with local stakeholders, IPDR has on-going and planned collaborative projects with international partners such as NORAD, NUFFIC and UN-Habitat as well as academic and research institutions which among others include the Institute of Social Studies (ISS), University of Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Institute has also a good working relationship with several other centers of knowledge in Germany, Ireland, South Africa, South Sudan, UK and the USA which has considerable potential to grow to full-fill-aged partnerships. In the last five years, the institute has successful accomplished projects and has published five books.