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E-mail: kalmeng59@gmail.com

mengeshaadkal@gmail.com

Profile

A hardworking professional with more than 45 years of experience in teaching, research, and leadership. A full professor of public health and emeritus professor at the University of Gondar, currently serving as an advisor to the University of Gondar-Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (UOG-MCFSP). 

Key Qualifications and Expertise

Extensive Academic and Professional Experience

  • - Over 45 years of service in teaching, research, and academic leadership
  • - Full Professor of Public Health and Emeritus Professor at the University of Gondar

Leadership in Higher Education and Scientific Research

  • - Senior advisor at the Ministry of Education (MOE), later the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE), and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS).
  • - Founding and Executive Director, International Institute for Primary Health Care in Ethiopia.
  • - Former President of the University of Gondar
  • - Strong record in institutional development, strategic planning, partnership building, and project leadership.

Published Author

  • - Authored and reviewed numerous research papers, textbooks, lecture notes, modules, and an autobiography.

Global Health Engagement

  • - Steering Member, Future Health System (UK)
  • - Think-Tank Member, International Institute of Primary Health Care in Ethiopia

Academic and Professional Recognition

  • - Member, Ethiopian Academy of Sciences
  • - Lifetime member, Ethiopian Red Cross Association and Ethiopian Public Health Association.

Multilingual

  • - Fluent in English, Russian, and the local language.
  • Abilities, Skills, and Strengths
  • Abilities
  • - Conduct research, surveys, data analysis, interpretation, and report writing
  • - Deliver presentations, training, and facilitation. 
  • - Provide motivational speeches and leadership coaching
  • Skills
  • - Coordinate rural health projects and demographic surveillance sites.
  • - Support displaced populations in preventing and managing public health problems. 
  • - Apply strong computer and data management skills.
  • Strengths
  • - Critical thinking and problem solving
  • - Positive attitude and strong work ethics
  • - Hard-working personality
  • - Ability to generate innovative ideas
  • - Excellent team player with strong collaboration skills. 
  • Additional Expertise
  • - Experience in public health, primary health care, WASH programs, and higher education leadership and management. Published in national and international journals.
  • Employment History
  • Consultant, University of Gondar-Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (UOG-MCFSP) (2023-Present)
  • - Provided technical support for program implementation.
  • - Conducted motivational speech and leadership trainings
  • Senior Advisor, MOE > MoSHE and Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (Dec 2019 - Sept 2022)
  • - Supported the development and implementation of institutional strategic plans.
  • - Led the Ethiopian Science Prize, annual HEART Convention, and major book projects.
  • Founding Executive Director, International Institute for Primary Health Care in Ethiopia (Jan 2016 - July 2018)
  • - Established and developed the institute 
  • - Prepared Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Advisory Board and led staff recruitment. 
  • - Strengthened partnerships, coordinated board meetings, and represented the institute globally. 
  • President, University of Gondar (Oct 2002-Dec 2015)
  • - Led strategic planning and institutional legislation.
  • - Expanded partnerships and secured major funding. 
  • - Oversaw academic program development and infrastructural expansion. 
  • - Organized university-wide events and improved academic standards. 
  • Affiliate Associate Professor, Department of Global Health, University of Washington (May 2011 - June 2012)
  • - Participated in global health activities and academic collaboration. 
  • - Facilitated staff and student exchange programs.
  • - Oversaw the completion of a USAID-funded outpatient department building
  • Consultant, UNICEF-Ethiopia (2007/2008)
  • - Provided technical expertise for the national WASH survey.
  • - Conducted data cleaning, analysis, and report preparation. 
  • - Delivered recommendations and presented findings. 
  • Academic and Research Director, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar (Sept 2006 - Oct 2007)
  • - Managed academic programs for faculty and students.
  • - Chaired recruitment, promotion, and scholarship committees.
  • - Associate Editor, Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences (2007 - 2010).
  • - Represented the Dean as needed.
  • Coordinator, Dabat Rural Health Project (Jan 2005 - Sept 2006)
  • - Coordinated fieldwork and data collection.
  • - Managed data entry, analysis, reporting, and publications.
  • - Developed intervention projects and project proposals for funding.
  • Other Professional Engagements 
  • - Panelist at major national and international conferences, including the African Health International Conference (2019), Alma-Ata 40th Anniversary Conference (2018), and national TB research conferences.
  • - Participation in global health and public health workshops in Ethiopia, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, the USA, and China.
  • Education
  • - MD, St. Petersburg State Institute of Hygiene and Medicine, Russia (1990)
  • - MPH, Addis Ababa University Medical Faculty, Ethiopia (2002)
  • - Diploma in Sanitary Sciences, Gondar College of Medical Sciences, AAU (1980)
  •  Trainings
  • Includes advanced training in:
  • - Global program management and leadership (University of Washington, 2011) 
  • - Leadership and program development (China, 2011)
  • - WASH, DSS project administration, teaching methodology, clinical skills, reproductive health supervision, environmental health, water and sanitation, and district health management. 
  • Awards
  • Includes:
  • - Distinguished Presidential Legacy Award (University of Gondar, 2025).
  • - Lifetime Achievement Award (People to People, 2024).
  • - Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Health (EHPA, 2019).
  • - MCF Project Fund Achievement Award (2016). 
  • - Best Leadership Award (2016).
  • - Long and Outstanding Service Award (2014).   
  • - Recognition from Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2010)
  • - Several national and international acknowledgments for leadership and academic contributions. 
  • Professional Membership
  • Life member:
  • - Ethiopian Public Health Association (since 1992)
  • - Ethiopian Red Cross Association (Since 1996)
  • Member:
  • - Ethiopian Professors (CEPARID, since 2021).
  • - Environmental Epidemiology, Geneva (1998-2000)
  • - Ethiopian Academy of Science (since 2014)
  • - Ethiopian Family Guidance Association (since 1990)
  • - Ethiopian NCDI Commission (since 2016)
  • Executive/ Think-tank Roles 
  • - Urban Health Development Think-Tank (2016- 2019)
  • - International institute Primary Health Care Think-Tank (2016- 2019; resumed 2024)
  • - Health Alliances Twinning Center (2017 to 2018) 
  • Volunteer Experience
  • - Steering Member, Future Health System (UK) 
  • - Longtime volunteer, Ethiopian Red Cross Association
  • - Board Chairperson, Ethiopian Red Cross—Gondar Branch (2006-2008)
  • - Chairperson, Ethiopian Population Council—Gondar Branch (2006-2008).
  • References
  • 1.    Professor Yemeane Berhane, MD, MPH, PhD, Director, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Email: yemaneberhane@gmail.com,
  • 2. Professor Getnet Mitike, MD, MPH, PhD, International Institute for Primary Health Care. Email:  getnetmk@gmail.com,
  • 3.   Dr. Ahmed Moen, PhD, Howard University. Email: amoen@howard.edu 
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