St. Mary’s University (SMU) successfully convened its 18th Multi-disciplinary Seminar on June 30, 2026, at the American Corner on its main campus. This annual event brought together scholars, researchers, practitioners, and development partners to address pressing societal challenges through diverse academic perspectives. Over the years, the seminar has become a cornerstone of intellectual exchange, fostering dialogue that bridges disciplines and informs public discourse.
In his opening remarks, SMU Executive Vice President Ato Tedla Haile reaffirmed the university’s commitment to sustaining this tradition. He highlighted the seminar’s role as a respected forum where contributors from varied backgrounds share research that sparks meaningful discussion and drives knowledge into action.
Delivering the keynote address, Serawit Handiso, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Research and Community Engagement at the Ministry of Education, emphasized that multidisciplinary collaboration is central to the Ministry’s system-wide reform initiatives. He noted that the national agenda has permanently shifted, requiring research to align with new priorities. “Multidisciplinary research is your greatest tool to build public-private partnerships, generate independent institutional value, and solve real-world problems,” he stated, underscoring the seminar alignment with the Ministry’s core directives.
This year’s seminar, themed “From Knowledge to Impact: Multidisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development,” showcased ten research papers spanning diverse fields. Contributions came from both public and private universities—including Ambo University,Wollega University, Madda Walabu University, Woldia University, Arba Minch University, and St. Mary’s University. The seminar also featured participations from the banking sector, represented by Awash Bank, and from civil society, the Organization for Innovation and Sustainable Development Africa.
The range of research areas was remarkable, encompassing Banking and Finance, Law and Intellectual Property, Technology, Environmental Sustainability, Industrial Development, Higher Education Transformation, Migration and Human Rights, Social Behavior, and Agriculture and Rural Development. This diversity underscored the growing importance of collaboration among academia, civil society, and industry in producing research with wide-reaching impact.
Dynamic discussions followed each presentation, allowing participants to probe deeper into the findings, raise critical questions, and explore practical implications. These exchanges enriched collective understanding and strengthened the seminar’s role as a hub for knowledge-sharing and innovation.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Misganaw Solomon (PhD), Vice President for Research, Community Engagement, and Communication (VPRCEC), who expressed heartfelt appreciation to contributors, participants, and organizers.
The research papers will be compiled into formal proceedings and made available through the university’s official repository, ensuring broader access to the insights generated.
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