Language, Culture and Indigenous Knowledge Center
Tsegamariam Dula Sherka (Ph.D.)
Contact Information:
Phone: +251 942483864
Address:
Email:
Objectives/Goals
- Preservation and Promotion
Ø To systematically preserve, document, revitalize, and promote local languages, cultural expressions, and indigenous knowledge systems, with particular emphasis on the Gurage people and neighboring communities.
- Research and Innovation
Ø To serve as a dynamic center of excellence for interdisciplinary research on indigenous knowledge systems, traditional institutions, cultural heritage, and innovation rooted in local wisdom.
- Curriculum Integration
Ø To integrate indigenous knowledge and languages into university curricula, research, and community engagement programs.
- Cultural Exchange and Awareness
Ø To foster cultural awareness and intercultural dialogue within the university and the broader community through exhibitions, events, and publications.
- Community Engagement and Development
Ø To collaborate with local communities, elders, and knowledge holders in the documentation and transmission of indigenous knowledge for sustainable development.
- Policy and Advocacy
Ø To contribute to the formulation and implementation of national and regional policies aimed at protecting, recognizing, and effectively utilizing indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage.
7. Internationalization and Global Collaboration
Ø To establish partnerships with international universities, research institutions, and cultural organizations in order to promote global recognition of local languages and indigenous knowledge systems, facilitate academic exchange, and position the center within international research and cultural networks.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
Ø Develop and implement the center’s strategic plan in alignment with the university’s vision and mission.
Ø Lead initiatives to identify, document, and archive indigenous languages, oral traditions, rituals, folklore, and medicinal practices.
- Research Coordination
Ø Facilitate interdisciplinary research projects in collaboration with university departments and external stakeholders.
Ø Oversee the publication of academic journals, research reports, and monographs related to language, culture, and indigenous knowledge.
- Community Collaboration
Ø Establish partnerships with local communities, elders, cultural institutions, and NGOs.
Ø Organize fieldwork activities, cultural festivals, and workshops that promote traditional knowledge and practices.
- Capacity Building
Ø Organize training for students, faculty, and community members in language preservation techniques and ethnographic methods.
Ø Mentor young researchers and interns interested in indigenous knowledge systems.
- Documentation and Archiving
Ø Supervise the development of digital and physical archives for collected materials.
Ø Ensure ethical and culturally sensitive approaches to data collection and storage.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Ø Develop mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the center’s programs and impact.
Ø Prepare periodic reports for the university’s top management and relevant government bodies.
- Resource Mobilization
Ø Identify and secure funding opportunities from governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Ø Manage budgets, grants, and resource allocations for center activities.
- Cultural Representation
Ø Represent the center at national and international conferences, forums, and cultural events.
Ø Advocate for the recognition and appreciation of local heritage at policy and academic platforms.