The training was organized by Wolkite University Research directorate by inviting Professor Sheleme Beyene from Hawassa University. Dr. Yohannis Gebru , vice president for research and community service has opened the training officially. In his remarks, Dr. Yohannis stressed on the ample and plentiful experience of Professor Sheleme Beyene. He also said that Professor Sheleme Beyene has great experience on grant writing; therefore, this is a good opportunity for Wolkite University researchers to share this substantial experience. The training will be given for two consecutive days.

According to Hawassa University official web page (hu.edu.et) Professor Sheleme Beyene has the following sufficient experiences.

• Professor of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition at Hawassa University;
• Adjunct Professor of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan since 2010;
• Obtained PhD degree in Plant Nutrition from Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany; MSc in Soil Fertility/Soil and Plant Analysis from Wageningen University, The Netherlands;
• Conferred with an Honorary Appointment to the Research Board of Advisors; by The American Biographical Institute;
• Honored for long-term Leadership and Commitment to Canadian International Food Security Research Fund: Canada/Ethiopia Partnership; by University of Saskatchewan;
• Served College of Agriculture and Hawassa University with different capacities for over 17 years: CEP Coordinator, Head department of Plant Production and Dryland Farming and Registrar of the College; and after establishment of the University as Registrar and Secretary of the Senate, Associate Vice President for Academic Programs, and Vice President for Academic and Research;
• Taught several soil science courses at Diploma, undergraduate, MSc and PhD levels;
• Served as major and co-supervisor of 11 PhD and over 75 MSc graduates at Hawassa, Haramaya and Addis Ababa Universities; Currently supervise and Co-supervise 8 PhD students;
• Served as External Examiner of 6 PhD open defense/Dissertation at Haramaya, Mekelle universities and University of South Africa; and more than 55 MSc Thesis defenses at Haramaya, Mekelle and Addis Ababa Universities;
• Served as External Reviewer of Soil Science Graduate programs (MSc and PhD) at different universities;
• Spearheaded in grant winning of over 11 million USD and served as Director/Principal Investigator of 12 international projects, which were funded by Global Affairs Canada/Canadian International Development Research Center, European Union, UK Department for International Department, European Union and Norwegian Government in the last two decades. Of these, the projects funded by the Global Affairs Canada/Canadian International Development Research Center supported the graduate works of 115 MSc and 12 PhD students.
• Published 54 articles in journals and many proceedings.