Getu Abebe earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Farm Forestry from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, in 2007. He later pursued a Master of Science (MSc) in Mountain Forestry at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Austria, graduating in 2012 with a scholarship from the Austrian Development Cooperation. In 2020, he completed his PhD at Tottori University, Japan, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He now has over 17 years of professional experience in forestry and ecological restoration, working as a researcher and teaching postgraduate students in Ethiopia. He currently coordinates Forest Restoration Research Project and is a member of the Carbon Offset Project Exclosures (COPE) initiative in Ethiopia, supported financially and technically by BOKU. He has established strong partnerships with the Institute for Research and Development (IRD) and the Institute of Forest Ecology (IFE) at BOKU. Additionally, he has collaborated on various research and development projects, including TRANSACT (BOKU, Austria) and SATREPS (Tottori University, Japan).
The scholarship he received in Austria provided a unique opportunity to advance his professional expertise in mountain forestry and conduct impactful research on forest-related challenges in Ethiopia. The program also strengthened his knowledge in forestry, ecology, and sustainable land management. Moreover, Ethiopia’s highlands have suffered from severe environmental degradation caused by deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change. His education and experience in Austria equipped him with the skills to identify the underlying causes of land degradation and to explore innovative solutions for restoring these fragile ecosystems.
His primary research interest focuses on the interactions between forests and soil and their role in ecosystem restoration. In this regard, the hands-on training he received at BOKU’s Institute of Forest Ecology—particularly in soil physical, chemical, and biological analysis using state-of-the-art laboratory facilities—has enabled him to conduct high-quality research on forest and soil dynamics both in Ethiopia and internationally. During his time at BOKU, he also had the opportunity to engage and collaborate with individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, strengthening his ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams toward shared goals.
He currently maintains a strong collaborative partnership with Tottori University in Japan, focusing on research and development in forest and ecosystem restoration in the Ethiopian highlands. In addition, he is working to initiate a trilateral partnership for research collaboration and student exchange among his home institution (ARARI), Tottori University, and BOKU.
