Alumni Voice
Kassahun Yimer KEBEDEEthiopia
Assistant Professor, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
- 2007: Master of Science in Management of Technology, Delft University of Technology
- 2015: Ph.D in Technology Management, Graduate School of Technology Management, Ritsumeikan University
Education
- Why did you choose Ritsumeikan MOT for pursuing your Ph.D.?
- Why not? could be the easiest answer. In fact, my choice and decision was a sort of hierarchical process. While looking for opportunities to pursue my Ph.D. study in Japan, I had to first secure a scholarship. After several applications and selection procedures, I was nominated for the Japanese government scholarship. It was then time to invest more on the search for host university (professor interested in my research topic). My information about Japanese universities was limited and I knew about those universities in Tokyo only. Of course, just a Google search for 'technology management study in Japan' at that time turned Ritsumeikan MOT on the top of the page. Later, after contemplating and further discussion with my prospective supervisor, I decided to join Ritsumeikan MOT. My brief stay at Kyoto University was another good opportunity to reaffirm my decision.
- What do you think about advantages studying in Ritsumeikan MOT?
- The research facility in Ritsumeikan is quite wonderful. There are ample research funding sources such as Gakkai Happyo grant (This grant assists part of expenses for presentations at academic conferences held in Japan and abroad), Kokusaiteki Research fund (This research fund is designed to promote international research activities in doctoral degree program) and many others in the university. The research seminars being held almost biweekly are great to keep the research on track. There is also a strong support to attend local and international conferences and PhD schools. Except in Australia and Latin America, I myself managed to attend several PhD schools, seminars and conferences in other continents and gathered enormous experience during the study period. It was all possible due to the immense support from the university and my professor in particular.
- How does your experience in Ritsumeikan MOT help your current career?
- I am just starting to work at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University. We are now developing a curriculum for technology management education in Ethiopia. I believe my MOT experiences both in Delft and Ritsumeikan are so helpful in this regard. As a part-timer, I also co-founded a firm and consult companies including Japanese companies which are interested in doing business in Ethiopia and Africa at large. My overall MOT experience was a good platform to get linked to potential partners in research/academics and business.