in the picture
alumni
Zerihun Weldegebriel - GLOB 2009-2010 - Ethiopia
Works at ?
Assistant Professor at Addis Ababa university Works on ?
Does research on Climate Variability and Livelihood Diversification in Northern Ethiopia ( PhD at Trento University , Italy ) The results of the research show that farmers perceive changes in their local climate and are able to identify context-specific indicators that broadly corroborate the results from rainfall and temperature trend analysis . Concerning adaptation strategies , smallholders employ farm-level adaptation to climate variability and change that mostly involve soil and water conservation structures and diversification . However , current patterns of diversification appear to be dominated by natural resource-based activities that may not be sufficient to deal with the impacts of current climate variability . This highlights the need to adopt policy interventions geared towards increasing investments in rural and
agricultural development to support the ability of smallholders to engage in beneficial forms of non-farm diversification strategies . These results imply that policymakers could do more to support non-farm diversification strategies by recognising the importance of rural-urban connections in fostering adaptation . IOB influence on your work ?
Through pursuing the particular research interest that I developed during my studies at IoB , I have learned a lot of both hard and soft skills that are transferable and helped me to advance in my career objectives . In particular , I gained practical experience of the hard skills of applying econometric techniques and models to assess the impacts of a programme / intervention , which my previous training lacked . This has been crucial in helping me to be rigorous in my research undertakings and I was able to finish my PhD dissertation in three and half years . My IoB stay also gave me the opportunity to establish networks that I still use for research and conferences .
Ngoc Anh Vu - DEM 2009-2010 - Vietnam Works at ?
PhD student at University of Leeds , United Kingdom .
Works on ?
Civil society activism in the authoritarian context of Vietnam . My research seeks to explore the nature of political change in Vietnam arising from the emergence and rise to prominence of civil society activism . There are increasing signs that the space for civil society action is slowly opening up in Vietnam . Although the literature on this is still in its infancy , it is clear that one of the reasons for this change in civil society action is related to the fact that Vietnam is repositioning itself in the global political economy .
IOB influence on your work ?
The valued knowledge and wisdom that IOB gave me set a strong foundation for my ideological perspective as a grown-up human being as well as for the career path to which I am committed now . It transformed me in a way without which I could not feel fulfilled and innovated to decide to embark on the path I have a strong reason to choose , i . e . committed to the development of civil society sector in Vietnam . In retrospect , I myself like other alumni from all corners of the world feel fortunate and privileged to have studied at IOB . Thank you !
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