Skip to Content

Public and International Relations Executive  

Emebet Bekele Birkie (PhD), Executive Director of Public and International Relations

 

About Public and International Relations Executive

The Office of Public and International Relations is composed of two teams and Information Desk under its administration, and it is accountable to the Office of the University President. This office primarily carries out extensive activities that connect Hawassa University with various local and international stakeholders.

Among the main functions of the Public and International Relations Office are:

  • Facilitating the establishment and strengthening of beneficial partnerships and collaborations between Hawassa University and other partner institutions;
  • Promoting the university’s academic, research and community outreach activities carried out through various communication platforms to the wider public;
  • Creating forums where university scholars can engage the community on current and knowledge-based issues;
  • Building effective communication and a positive image of the university using diverse print and digital media platforms;
  • Facilitating international scholarship opportunities for university staff and students, and strengthening the success of these partnerships;
  • Creating platforms and opportunities that enable the university to become internationally competitive and recognized;
  • Updating the university’s website with current and relevant content in collaboration with the ICT office;
  • Organizing and preserving the university’s history and archives;
  • Promoting Hawassa University’s brand across all communication and presentation scenarios;
  • Creating engagement platforms for Hawassa University alumni to contribute positively to the university and the society at large.

To effectively implement these core activities and build the university’s overall positive image, the office consists of the Public Relations and Communications Team and the International Relations Team. Additionally, the HU Information Desk is part of this structure, all accountable to the Executive Director.

The Public Relations and Communication Team primarily focuses not only on covering media-related (mass communication) activities but also serves as a central body for building and promoting a positive image of Hawassa University to the surrounding community, other institutions within the country, and the wider public.

To support this mission, the team works on:

  • Providing media coverage for the university’s teaching-learning, research and technology transfer, and community service activities;
  • Promoting these efforts through collaboration with external mainstream media outlets;
  • Preparing and distributing various promotional materials and publications to relevant stakeholders;
  • Regularly producing publications that address current national and international issues to keep the university community informed;
  • Organizing and facilitating platforms that connect the university with the broader community;
  • Documenting, presenting, and archiving internal activities using various digital media; and
  • Archiving the university’s history for posterity.

The International Relations Team is responsible for promoting Hawassa University's engagements with foreign scholars, students, and collaborative projects, as well as partnerships with various international institutions that work with the university.

Its major roles include:

  • Publicizing the university's international collaborations and activities;
  • Coordinating proper institutional reception and arrangements for international guests visiting the university;
  • Identifying new partnership opportunities;
  • Facilitating educational, research, and cultural exchange programs to enable university staff and students to benefit from international training, study, and experiential visits;
  • Creating partnerships that encourage international scholars and students to come to Hawassa University for cultural and knowledge exchange;
  • Strengthening existing collaborations and ensuring their effective implementation through close follow-up;
  • Establishing strong alumni relations, especially with international alumni, and connecting their efforts with the university through digital communication platforms to support quality education and broader engagement;
  • Facilitating participation of alumni in various community services;
  • Collaborating with relevant international stakeholders and facilitating partnership forums;
  • Providing necessary information for the university’s international memberships and competitions; and
  • Promoting the university’s positive image to the global community by using digital media platforms and strengthening international communication.

Emebet Bekele Birkie (PhD), Executive Director of Public and International Relations