Gedifew Sewenet Yigzaw
Gedifew Sewenet Yigzaw is an Ethiopian governance and development studies scholar, assistant professor and social science researcher with experience in university teaching, academic leadership, public policy research, international relations, community service and youth capacity building.
He is currently a PhD candidate in International Relations at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing, China. He also serves as an Assistant Professor of Governance and Development Studies at Injibara University, Ethiopia. His academic interests include governance studies, international relations, diplomacy and foreign policy analysis, regional security governance, comparative politics, political communication and development studies.
Gedifew holds a Master of Arts in Governance and Development Studies from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, with a specialization in Governance Studies. His master’s research focused on community participation in sustainable natural resource management. He also holds a Bachelor of Education in Civics and Ethical Education from Arba Minch University, Ethiopia.
His professional experience includes teaching and academic leadership roles at Injibara University, Bahir Dar University, Debre-Markos University and Arba Minch University. He has served as Head of the Department of Civics and Ethical Studies at Injibara University and Vice Dean for Freshman Undergraduate Program at Bahir Dar University. He has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in governance, international relations, foreign policy, comparative politics, development studies, public administration, ethics, research methods and African politics.
Gedifew has contributed to academic research and publications in areas such as democratization, internal displacement, environmental governance, foreign currency reserve challenges, smart cities, good governance, development financing and Ethiopia’s diplomatic and governance issues. He has also served as a reviewer and examiner for academic journals, book chapters and postgraduate theses.
As an AOU Pan-African Youth Fellow, Gedifew may contribute to AOU’s youth and capacity-building work by supporting open learning, governance and leadership training, research skills development, public policy dialogue, China-Africa learning exchange, GTC Program awareness and future youth development activities related to governance, international relations, development studies and community-based learning.
Areas of Interest
Governance Studies · International Relations · Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Analysis · Regional Security Governance · Comparative Politics · Political Communication · Development Studies · Public Policy · Research Methods · Youth Leadership · Community Service · China-Africa Cooperation · Open Learning · Capacity Building
AOU Engagement Areas
- Open learning and governance education
- Youth leadership and public policy dialogue
- Research methods and academic capacity building
- GTC Program awareness and training support
- China-Africa learning and international relations exchange
- Ethiopia and Horn of Africa youth network building
- Community service, good governance and development-oriented learning
Education & Experience Highlights
- PhD Candidate in International Relations, University of International Business and Economics, China
- Master of Arts in Governance and Development Studies, Hawassa University, Ethiopia
- Bachelor of Education in Civics and Ethical Education, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia
- Assistant Professor of Governance and Development Studies, Injibara University, Ethiopia
- Former Head, Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, Injibara University, Ethiopia
- Former Vice Dean for Freshman Undergraduate Program, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
- Teaching and research experience in governance, development studies, international relations, foreign policy, public administration, ethics and research methods
- Academic reviewer and thesis examiner experience for journals, book chapters and postgraduate research works