Etsegenet Fikru

My name is Etsegenet Fikru, and I was born on February 15, 1995. I completed my elementary education at Masha Elementary School and continued my primary and secondary education at Mekdela Primary and Secondary School. I am the third child in my family. During my childhood, I enjoyed playing various games and shared many reading experiences with my classmates throughout my school years.
After successfully completing my 12th grade exams, I have joined Hawassa University in Ethiopia, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biosystems Engineering on June 28, 2018. After a two-year break, I pursued further studies at Adama Science and Technology University, Ethiopia, graduating with a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Machinery Engineering on December 16, 2021, achieving excellent in my thesis work.
Subsequently, completing my BSc degree, I joined Hawassa University as a lecturer in January 2019. Hawassa University is renowned as one of the leading research institutions and first-generation universities in Ethiopia. During my time there, I have contributed to curriculum development, advising graduate students, and actively participated in both disciplinary and community service research projects. My teaching expertise spans from elementary education to advanced university courses, making me a versatile and adaptable educator. In addition to my academic responsibilities, I collaborate closely with students to share best practices and develop innovative methods to enhance practical skills in agricultural machinery.
Later on, I have completed six rounds of training in agricultural machinery testing, conducted by trainers from South Korean Industrial Technology, and have earned six international certificates. The training emphasized hands-on experience and the development of standards for conducting machinery tests. In fact, it gives the limited mechanization activities in our country, which provides me with valuable insights into the root causes of various challenges in the sector.
In addition, women in Ethiopia who studied agricultural engineering are establishing the Agricultural Engineering Women Professionals Association, where I have served as the collector. This role has significantly contributed to my leadership development. I also had the opportunity to attend the different Leadership and Entrepreneurship Conference, held virtually, further enhancing my leadership skills and knowledge.