Dr. Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa | College of Education

Submitted by cedsadmin on Tue, 05/27/2025 - 09:02

Assistant Professor

Personal Information

Full Name	Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa
Sex	Male
Date of Birth	6-April-1987
Citizenship	Ethiopian
Marital Status	Single
Education	PhD in Educational Sciences (Teaching Profession and School Research), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Academic Rank	Assistant Professor, School of Educational Sciences, College of Education, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
Home Address	Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia P.O. Box: 79 Phone: +251929402311, Email: mulugetaawayehu@gmail.com

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Level of Education	Institution	Years Attended	Awards Received
PhD	Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Teacher Education	From Aug 1/ 2018 to May 24/2024	PhD in Educational Sciences (Teaching Profession and School Research)
Master’s Degree	Addis Ababa University, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences	From Aug 23/ 2010 to June 6/ 2012	Master of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning
Undergraduate Degree	Bahir Dar University, Faculty of Education and Behavioral Sciences	From Nov 23/ 2007 to July 13/ 2009	Bachelor of Education in Pedagogical Sciences
Master Trainer Training	DVV International, East and Horn of Africa	March 27/2023 to December 17/2023	Certified Master Trainer for Teachers of Adults
Higher Diploma Program	Bahir Dar University, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences	From Sep/2017 to July/2018	Higher Diploma as Certified Professional Teacher Educator

WORK EXPERIENCES

I have over 13 years of experience in the field of teacher education and adult learning as a university teacher and researcher. Recently, I have been strongly engaged in the professional development of teachers, particularly in environmental education, education for sustainability, and science instruction. I also have attractive experiences in various research and consultancy works, community service activities, and large-scale projects.

From September 21/2009- September 20/2010 - Graduate Assistant I, Department of Adult Education and Community Development
From September 21/2010- July 15/2012- Graduate Assistant II, Department of Adult Education and Community Development
From July 16/2012 to September 15/2016– Lecturer in the Department of Adult Education and Community Development.
Part-time Employment at DVV International Ethiopia as Social Support Fund Program Coordinator (from March 1/2022 to September 22/2022)
From September/2016 to May/2024 - Assistant professor, School of Educational Sciences
Starting from May/2024 (earned my PhD), serving as Assistant professor, at the School of Teacher Education, Department of Science and Mathematics Education

CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

No.	Roles assumed	Year
1	Co-coordinating the Bahir Dar University-NORHED Project (It is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), and aimed at enhancing the quality of Science and Mathematics Education in Ethiopia and South Sudan)	From September 2020 to date
2	Associate Editor, Bahir Dar Journal of Education	From September 2022 to date
3	College of Education Ethical Clearance Office, Secretary and Deputy	From June 2023 to date
4	PhD Evaluation Committee Member, College of Education	From March 2023 to date
5	Strategic Plan Preparation for the College of Education (for 2024-2030), Committee Member	From October 2023 to date
6	Participating in Curriculum Development for PhD in Science Education and PhD in Mathematics Education	From December 2023 to date
7	Participating in the Curriculum Revision of MED Programs in Science and Mathematics Education	From December 2022 to date
8	Participating in the Establishment of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research	From September 2023 to date
9	Participating in the Development of STEM Pedagogy Training Manual for Teachers and Teacher Educators	From August 2023 to date
10	Committee Member and Secretary for the Promotion of the College of Education Programs	From March 2024 to date

PREVIOUS SERVICES AND ENGAGEMENTS IN THE COLLEGE

No.	Positions (roles) assumed	Year
1	Served as Vice Dean for Postgraduate, Research and Community Service office (at the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences)	From September/2017 to August/2018
2	Served as Head of College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Customer Relation and Information Production Case Team	From October 13/ 2013 to July 9/2015
3	Quality Assurance Committee of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences	From October/2013 to December/2015
4	Secretary and Member of Staff Promotion Committee of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences	From July 15/2015-Aug/2018
5	Served as Module Chair for Design of Adult Education and Community Development	From July 17/2012 to August/2018
6	Served as Module Chair for Instructional Approaches in Adult and Non-formal Education	From July 17/2012 to August/2018
7	Working as a mentor of the cooperative learning team of the department	From 2014 to 2017
8	Served as Coordinator for the training of Integrated Functional Adult Education Facilitators	April/2014
9	Member of the Department Task Force to launch a new Master’s Program in Adult Education and Community Development	In the 2015/2016 Academic year
10	I mentored, supervised, and evaluated more than 40 different undergraduate students’ research works (Senior Essays)	2012 to 2018
11	I have supervised 9 Postgraduate students' thesis work	2017 to 2022
12	Evaluated the Thesis of Science Education Graduates	May 2019

FURTHER TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATES RECEIVED

No.	Type of Trainings	Year Attended	Offering Organization
1	Academic writing	From May/2021 to Sep/2021	Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Kari Smith
2	Qualitative data analysis skill	September/2016	Bahir Dar University, Capacity Building Directorate
3	SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences)	March/2014	Bahir Dar University, Capacity Building Directorate
4	Training on Research Ethics Review and SOP Preparation	January 9- January 10/2024	Bahir Dar University, College of Education
5	Active Learning and Continuous Assessment	November/2013	Bahir Dar University, Institutional Research Ethics Review Board
6	Training of Trainers on the Professionalization of Adult Learning and Education		DVV International, East and Horn of Africa
	The Basics of Adult Learning	March 27/2023 to March 31/2023	Provided in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
	Learning Theories in Adult Learning	July 3/2023 to July 7/2023	Provided in Fort Portal, Uganda
	Communication and Group Dynamics Methods of Adult Learning	October 03/2023 to October 08/2023	Provided in Adama, Ethiopia
	Planning, Organization and Evaluation in Adult Learning	Dec 11/2023 to Dec 14 /2023	Provided in Bagamoyo, Tanzania
	Successfully completed the whole training package by passing final examination	December 17/2023	Bagamoyo, Tanzania
7	Strategies for Successful Online Learning, Evaluation of Learning Resources, and Academic Integrity	From January 15/2024 to February 14 /2024	University of Arizona (Online training)
8	Family and Intergenerational Literacy and Learning	From April/2021 to May/2021	The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and the Commonwealth of Learning
9	Participatory Data Collection and Analysis	February/2020	DVV International
10	Trainer of Trainees on Life Skill Training	March/2016	Bahir Dar University, Gender Director Office
11	Participatory Action Research	October/2015	Bahir Dar University, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
12	School Leadership	September/2014	Bahir Dar University, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
13	TOT on General Pedagogy for Secondary School Teachers	July 23- July 27/2024	Ministry of Education in Collaboration with Bahir Dar University

SERVICES IN EDITORSHIP, REVIEWING, AND CONFERENCE ORGANIZING

	Contributions	Year
	Served as a reviewer of research and community service proposals submitted to the College of Education	April 2023, June 2024
2	Served as a reviewer of articles submitted to the 1) Bahir Dar Journal of Education, 2) Social Sciences and Humanities Open, and 3) Journal of Sustainable Development.	Since September 2023
3	Served as reviewer of articles submitted for conferences (38^th and 40^th May Annual International Educational Conferences,	April 2021 April 2023
4	Served as reviewer of articles submitted for 1^st International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education: Making Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning Impactful	October 23-24/2019
5	Editorial and Technical Committee Member for the Proceedings of the 35^thMay Annual International Educational Conference: Higher Education in Ethiopia: Advancing Teaching, Research, and Community Outreach Engagement	May 19-20/2017
6	Participated and contributed to conferences for eight years as a Chairperson and Member of the Organizing Committee
	For the 1^stInternational Conference on Science and Mathematics Education	October 23-24/2019
	For the 31^st May Annual International Educational Conference (Theme: The Status of Quality in Education in Ethiopian Education System)	May 24-25/2013
	For the 32^ndMay Annual International Educational Conference (Theme: Education for All: Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects in Ethiopia)	May 29-31/2014
	For the 34^th May Annual International Educational Conference (Theme: Revisiting the Policy and Practices of Educational Research in Ethiopia	May 20-21/2016
	For the 35^th May Annual International Educational Conference (Theme: Higher Education in Ethiopia: Advancing Teaching, Research, and Community Outreach Engagement	May 19-20/2017
	Hospitality committee member for the 40^th May Annual International Educational Conference (Theme: Crisis in Educational Quality in Ethiopia: A Call for Generation Rescue Mission	May 19-20/2023
	For the 41^st May Annual International Educational Conference (Theme: Education in Times of Crises)	May 30-31/2024
	Chairperson of the conference
	For the 36^th May Annual International Educational Conference (Theme: Evidence-based Teacher Education in Ethiopia: implications for Policy and Practice)	May 18-19/2018

TRAININGS, CONSULTANCY, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ENGAGEMENT

No.	Types of Engagement	Year	Funded/ Organized by
	Provided STEM Pedagogy Training for Teacher Educators	June 2021	Bahir Dar University- NORHED Project
2	Provided Capacity Building Training to Primary Level Environmental Science Teachers from six schools (mainly on Problem-based and Inquiry Approaches to Science Instruction and Environmental Education)	Three weekends October/2021-January/2022	Bahir Dar University- NORHED Project
3	Provided Pilot Training for Grade 6 teachers on the Draft Environmental Science Textbooks for five days.	November 29- December 3/2021	Ministry of Education
4	Reviewed the Environmental Science subject from Grades 1-6	2022	Ministry of Education
5	Supervision and Mentoring of Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) candidates	2015/ 2016 Academic years	Bahir Dar University
6*.	Preparing national Adult Learning and Education conference guideline and program, and moderating the conference held in Bishoftu, Ethiopia	December 18 - Dec 20/2021	DVV International
7*.	Developing the Adult Learning and Education System Building Approach (ALESBA) Training Guideline	October/2021	DVV International
8*.	Training on Family and Intergenerational Literacy and Learning (FILL) to federal, regional, and woreda level officers	Oct 25/2021	DVV International and Ministry of Education
9*.	Moderation and facilitation of ALESBA workshop with Federal, Regional, and Woreda Level Officials	Oct 16 – Oct 21/2021	DVV International
10.	Life skill training for university students	July/2021	Bahir Dar University
11*.	Participated in and successfully led the National Adult Education Demand Assessment Study	February/2020	DVV International
12.	Served as a Higher Diploma Program trainer to University Instructors	2018 academic year	Bahir Dar University
13.	Data collection instruments development skill training to graduating students of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences	February/2017	Bahir Dar University
14.	Life skill training for university students	September/2017	Bahir Dar University
15.	Coordinating and offering Facilitation Skill Training to Adult Literacy Facilitators	March/2016	Bahir Dar University
16.	Data collection and analysis skill training to Graduating students of College of Education and Behavioral Sciences	February/2016	Bahir Dar University
17.	Participated in Project 107 - It is aimed at enabling 1^st and 2^nd-grade kids reading, writing, and calculating within a short time	2015/16 academic year	Bahir Dar University
18*.	Training of Trainers on Gender Sensitive, Bee Keeping and Honey Values Chain	July/2015	Facilitator for Change
19.	Coordinating and participating in a project aimed at making Bahir Dar a "Learning City"	2015	Bahir Dar University
20.	Training to Facilitators of Bahir Dar City on Facilitation Skills in Adult Literacy	April/2015	Bahir Dar University
21.	Coordinated and participated in environmental hygiene campaign of Bahir Dar City	May and February/2014	Bahir Dar University
22.	Offering training to facilitators of Bahir Dar City on Facilitation Skills in adult literacy	April/2014	Bahir Dar University

* Indicating my involvement as a private consultant

SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

No.	Title	Year	Name of the Conference
1	How are environmental contents conveyed in primary schools? A phenomenological study of beliefs, practices, and barriers	December 29-30, 2022	The 2^nd International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (Theme: Science and Mathematics Teaching, Learning, and Assessment: Lessons from Theory and Practice)
2	Co-presented research project entitled ‘Enhancing Quality of Education in Secondary Schools of Amhara Region’	March, 2023	Presented at Friday Forum, College of Education
3	Views of ‘nature’, the ‘environment’ and the ‘human-nature’ relationships in Ethiopian primary school textbooks	June 04-05, 2021	The 38th May Annual International Educational Conference: Ethiopia’s Progress towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4
4	Secondary School Teacher Education at Bahir Dar University: Practices and Challenges	May 19-20, 2017	The 35^thMay Annual International Educational Conference: Higher Education in Ethiopia: Advancing Teaching, Research and Community Engagement
5	Co-presented group research project entitled ‘Assessing the Implementation Process, Practices and Challenges of Modular Instructional Approach at Bahir Dar University’	March 25, 2015	Presented to Decision Makers (Deans, Directors and Department Heads) at Bahir Dar University

TEXTBOOK AND MANUAL DEVELOPMENT

No.	Contributions	Year	Funded/ Organized by
	Developed “Environmental Science” Textbook for Grade 6 (A textbook to be used for the next seven to eight years in Amhara Regional State)	2021	Ministry of Education
	Developed “Environmental Science” Teachers’ Guidebook for Grade 6.	2022	Ministry of Education
	Prepared a Training Manual on “Environmental Education Pedagogy” for Primary School Teachers	2021	Bahir Dar University- NORHED Project
	Participated in Needs-based Textbook Preparation for Adult Learners and Facilitators	2015	Facilitator for Change (FC)
	Prepared distance education module titled “Assessment in Adult Learning”	2013	Bahir Dar University

OTHER SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

Language skills

Language	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Listening
Amharic (mother tongue)	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
English (as a second language)	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Computer Skill

Advanced skill in Micro-soft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Internet tools usage, Learning Management Systems, Quantitative data analysis using SPSS, and basic qualitative data analysis using NVivo

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2024). Barriers to environmental education in Ethiopia: Do they differ from a global analysis? International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2024.2352285
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2023). Characterizing environmental education practices in Ethiopian primary schools, International Journal of Educational Development, 102, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102848
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa & Jørund Aasetre. (2022): Unveiling in-service teachers’ conceptions of ‘environment’ and ‘environmental education’: an Ethiopian perspective, Environmental Education Research, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2069681
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa, Jorund Aasetre & Meskerem Lechissa Debele (2021) Views of “nature”, the “environment” and the “human-nature” relationships in Ethiopian primary school textbooks, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 30:2, 148-163, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1763564
Ermiyas Tsehay Birhanu & Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2024). Employee cohesion and its influence on workplace learning: The lived experiences of public university lecturers in Ethiopia, Journal of Workplace Learning, 36(1), DOI: 10.1108/JWL-07-2023-0118
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa, Genet Gelana Kabeta. (2021). Instructors’ workplace learning activities and inhibitors in Ethiopian higher learning institutions: Bahir Dar University in focus. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2021.100106
Samuel Zinabu, Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2021). The Implementation of Andragogy in the Adult Education Program in Ethiopia, under review, Education Research International, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2028248
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2016). The New Secondary School Teacher Education Modality in Ethiopia: Challenges and Implications. Middle Eastern & African Journal of Educational Research. Vol. 5, No. 20
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2017). Secondary School Teacher Education at Bahir Dar University: Practices and Challenges. Ethiopian Journal of Education and Sciences. Vol. 13 No 1. It can be found at https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejesc/article/view/165010/154506

COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2024). Reorienting Environmental Education in Ethiopia: Curricular Issues, Teachers’ Views, and Practices, PhD Thesis, Department of Teacher Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. It can be accessed at https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3132374
Amera Seifu & Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2024). Enhancing the Quality of Education in Secondary and Preparatory Schools of Amhara Region: With Particular Emphasis on Instructional Practices, Curricular Issues, Parental Involvement, and Leadership Practices. Funded by the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Bahir Dar University
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa et al. (2020). Assessment of the Perception of and Demand for Adult Education Services in Amhara Region. Organized and Funded by DVV international, with Federal, Regional, and District Level representatives.
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugss & Jemal Shanko (2020). Assessment of the Perception of and Demand for Adult Education Services in Ethiopia: A consolidated report. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Unpublished national study report. It was funded by DVV International.
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2014). Assessing the Implementation Processes, Practices, and Challenges of Modular Instruction at Bahir Dar University. Funded by Bahir Dar University, with Tamiru D., Asrat D., Kibrom M. and Meskerem C.
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2013). The Implementation of Functional Adult Literacy in Amhara Regional State. Funded by Bahir Dar University with Abiy, M. Endayehu, T, and Temesgen, O
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2015). Practices and Challenges of Functional Adult Literacy Implementation in Ethiopia. Funded by Bahir Dar University with Abiy M, Endayehu T and Temesgen O.
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2016). Assessment of training needs of Female Adult learners in Dangila and Chagni. It is funded by an NGO named Facilitator for Change (FC).
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2016). Cooperatives in Ethiopia: Practices, Challenges, and Contributions for Community Development. (Intervention-based Study). Funded by Bahir Dar University with Abiy M and Endayehu T.
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa & Genet Gelana. (2017). The Practice of Workplace Learning at Bahir Dar University. Funded by Institute of Pedagogical and Educational Research Center.
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa, Abiy Menkir, Endayehu, T, Temesgen O. (2015). An assessment of the level of student progression and graduate outcomes in Bahir Dar University. Funded by Bahir Dar University, Faculty of Educational and Behavioral Sciences

LIST OF CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Engida Gebre, Dawit Asrat, Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2024). Contextualizing Science Teaching and Learning for Everyday Life and Sustainable Development in Secondary Schools
Dawit Asrat, Dereje Taye, & Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa: The Perceptions of Cluster Supervisors and Education Experts towards Discipline-specific Supervision in Amhara Region
Dawit Asrat, Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa, & Dereje Taye: The Conceptions of Secondary School Teachers and Teacher Trainees Towards the Nature of Science: Implications for School Instruction and Teacher Education
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2024). Professional Development in Environmental Education: Shifts in Conception and Practices of Primary School Teachers
Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa. (2024). Community Learning Centers as Demonstrations of Education for Sustainability: Lessons from Ethiopia
Mulugeta Awayehu Guggssa. (2024). Indigenous Ways of Teaching Environmental Topics in Primary Schools: Teachers’ Views and Practices

RESEARCH INTEREST AREAS

Environmental education in early years
Education for sustainable development
Science education
Teacher education on science instruction and sustainability development
Context-based science instruction and sustainability education
Transformative approaches to sustainability education
Outdoor and experiential learning

REFERENCES

Jørund Aasetre, PhD, Professor (main supervisor of my doctoral project)

Department of Teacher Education, NTNU/

Department of Geography, NTNU

Phone: +4773412569, Email: jorund.aasetre@ntnu.no

http://www.ntnu.no/ansatte/jorund.aasetre

2. Dawit Asrat Getahun (PhD, Learning Sciences), Associate Professor

School of Educational Sciences, College of Education

Bahir Dar University-NORHED Project Coordinator

Phone: +251918766232, Email: dawit.asrat.getahun@gmail.com

3. Elin Sæther, PhD, Associate Professor (Evaluator of my doctoral trial lecture and defence) Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo

Phone: +47 22858334, Email: elin.sather@ils.uio.no,

https://www.uv.uio.no/ils/english/people/aca/elinsa/

4. Annette Lykknes, PhD, Professor

Department of Teacher Education, NTNU

Phone: +4773590496, Email: annette.lykknes@ntnu.no

https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/annette.lykknes

I, the undersigned, hereby confirm that the information provided above are accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Mulugeta Awayehu Gugssa (PhD)

Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education

Department of Science and Mathematics Education

Bahir Dar University