Assistant professor at Adigrat University College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ethiopia
Dr. Fikre Belay Tekulu (PhD) is an Assistant Professor at Adigrat University, Ethiopia ๐. He specializes in Urban and Regional Development Planning ๐๏ธ and has held various academic and leadership roles, including Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities ๐. With over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and community engagement ๐, he has published extensively on urbanization, war impacts, and environmental planning ๐. He is a dedicated scholar and educator with a passion for data analysis, field research, and academic mentorship ๐จโ๐ซ. Dr. Fikre is fluent in Tigrigna, Amharic, and English ๐.
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
Academic Background
Dr. Fikre holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Development Planning from Punjabi University, India ๐. He earned his MA in Urban Management from the Ethiopian Civil Service University ๐๏ธ and a BED in Geography from Mekelle University ๐บ๏ธ. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to urban studies and sustainable development ๐๏ธ. Through his multidisciplinary education, he gained expertise in planning, spatial analysis, and urban policy. His education has laid a strong foundation for his contributions in both academia and practice ๐. These qualifications have positioned him as a leader in geography and development planning education in Ethiopia ๐.
Professional Background
Dr. Fikre has over 20 years of progressive academic and professional experience ๐ผ. He began as a teacher and deputy director at Agazi Secondary School ๐ซ and served as Head of Geography at Axum University. At Adigrat University, he became Assistant Professor and Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities ๐. He also worked as a higher expert on zonal information. His leadership includes project management, curriculum development, and academic research coordination ๐. Heโs participated in national development planning, capacity building, and disaster recovery projects, especially in Tigray Region ๐๏ธ, combining teaching and hands-on community service.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Fikre has earned multiple accolades ๐๏ธ, including the Popular Scientist Award (2023) ๐งช. He has received numerous certificates of recognition as an external examiner for master’s theses ๐ at Mekelle and Aksum Universities. His outstanding peer review contributions earned him a Certified Peer Reviewer Excellence Award in 2024 ๐. He also actively participated in prestigious symposiums and training sessions globally and locally ๐
. Notably, he received a Master Class Certificate for Teaching Online in 2025 and has evaluated community service projects with distinction ๐, marking his influence across academic, research, and development platforms.
Research Focus
Dr. Fikreโs research focuses on urbanization, regional development, post-war recovery, and environmental planning ๐๏ธ. He has investigated urban sprawl, flood impacts, war damage on infrastructure, and public health systems ๐งฑ. His work employs GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial modeling ๐. Recently, he has co-led studies on war impacts on health, education, and cultural heritage in Tigray. He is also engaged in climate-related research like soil erosion mapping using Google Earth Engine ๐. His research blends theory with community impact, aiming for evidence-based planning and sustainable development ๐งญ. His goal is to inform policy through rigorous interdisciplinary research ๐.
Publication Top Notes
๐ The Effect of War on Basic Infrastructures of Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia
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Year: 2024 | ๐ Cited by: 5 | ๐๏ธโ๏ธ๐งฑ
๐ Application of the Overlay Weighted Model to Determine the Best Locations for Expansion of Adigrat Town
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Year: 2015 | ๐ Cited by: 5 | ๐๏ธ๐๐บ๏ธ
๐ The Effect of War on Educational Institutions of Eastern Tigray Zone, Tigray State, Ethiopia
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Year: 2023 | ๐ Cited by: 4 | ๐๐ซ๐
๐ An Assessment on the Economic Benefit of Cactus Crop in the Case of Ganta Afeshum District, Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia
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Year: 2015 | ๐ Cited by: 1 | ๐ต๐ฐ๐
Effect of War on Health Institutions of Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia
Economic Impacts of the War on IDPs and the Effects of Humanitarian Interventions: A Case Study of IDP Centers in Adigrat City
The War in Tigray and Its Immediate Impact on Cultural Heritage in Eastern Tigray
Urbanization Level and Tempo (Speed) in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia
Geoinformatics of soil loss using GEE in Tigray regional state of Ethiopia.
Causes and Trends of Urban Sprawl in Adigrat City, Tigray, Ethiopia
The Impact of War and Humanitarian Interventions on Educational Services for IDPs in Adigrat City Centers
Conclusion
Dr. Fikre Belay Tekulu is a distinguished academic and researcher with a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Development Planning, supported by robust qualifications in Geography and Urban Management. His extensive research portfolio spans critical areas such as urbanization, environmental sustainability, disaster recovery, and the socio-economic impacts of war, making substantial contributions to regional and global scholarship. With numerous peer-reviewed publications, leadership roles including Dean at Adigrat University, and active involvement in community and national development projects, Dr. Fikre exemplifies academic excellence and social commitment. His continued pursuit of professional development, combined with multiple recognitionsโsuch as the Popular Scientist Awardโsolidify his status as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.