The Research and Knowledge Management Office (RaKMO) of St Mary’s University organized an enlightening session on July 18, 2024, at the Main Campus Syndicate Room, focusing on grant writing and PhD students’ experience sharing.

Ababaw Yirga, a Professor at Addis Ababa University (AAU) led the training during the morning session with his captivating presentation on Research Grant Writing. The training aimed to equip participants with essential knowledge, practical skills, diverse perspectives, and inspiration for effective grant writing. Professor Ababaw provided a comprehensive overview of grant writing, detailing the key components of a grant proposal. He emphasized the importance of aligning the proposal with the grant provider’s goals and interests, highlighting the necessity of time, human resources, and financial planning for a successful grant proposal. He shared both general and specific tips, offering participants a wealth of actionable advice.

A key takeaway from his session was the importance of adopting the perspective of the funding agency. He advised participants to understand the funder’s priorities and objectives and tailor their applications accordingly. Participants were highly engaged, actively asking questions and seeking clarification on various aspects of grant writing.

In the afternoon, the session continued with experience sharing, featuring insightful presentations from Ato Yehualashet Rade and Ato Mekonnen Tadesse. They recounted their PhD journeys, covering stages from registration and admission to dissertation titling. They shared the challenges they faced and provided valuable advice to their colleagues. Other PhD candidates also shared their experiences, discussing how they navigated various challenges and expressing their hopes of completing their Ph. D.s studies.