Back

The Center and Community Engagement

Brief Overview of the Center and Its Role in Community Engagement

The Inclusive Development Research Center (IDRC) is an academic research institution affiliated with Sana’a University. It was established in 1993 as an academic unit within the Department of Social Sciences at the Faculty of Arts. The Center is dedicated to providing innovative research-based and development-oriented solutions and has established itself as a leading institution in the fields of research, academic studies, and policy papers.

The Center possesses extensive experience in implementing a wide range of projects in cooperation with various national and international partners, reflecting its strong capacity to engage with pressing issues facing local and regional communities. Over the years, the Center has demonstrated a firm commitment to applied scientific research and has made effective contributions to the development of public policy strategies aimed at improving social and economic conditions.

The Inclusive Development Research Center (IDRC) is an academic research institution affiliated with Sana’a University. It was established in 1993 as an academic unit within the Department of Social Sciences at the Faculty of Arts. The Center is dedicated to providing innovative research-based and development-oriented solutions and has established itself as a leading institution in the fields of research, academic studies, and policy papers.

The Center possesses extensive experience in implementing a wide range of projects in cooperation with various national and international partners, reflecting its strong capacity to engage with pressing issues facing local and regional communities. Over the years, the Center has demonstrated a firm commitment to applied scientific research and has made effective contributions to the development of public policy strategies aimed at improving social and economic conditions.

The Center’s Contributions to Community Engagement

In the field of research and studies:

Since its establishment, the Center has worked closely with numerous governmental bodies as well as local and international partners. For example, it collaborated with the Government of the Netherlands on the project “Towards a Gender-Sensitive Water Sector,” which was implemented in four governorates between August and October 2017 and continued through the end of 2018.

The Center has also partnered with the University of Bonn in implementing academic projects that contribute to peacebuilding and post-conflict community development. In addition, cooperation with the University of Bonn extended to developing academic approaches to reconstruction, with the aim of building the capacities of students and faculty members in this vital field that is closely linked to development processes.

Furthermore, the Center worked with the Women Protection Cluster on alternative gender concepts, particularly “social justice,” in 2024. This collaboration resulted in policy papers and teaching programs. Such in-depth partnerships have enabled the Center to provide well-grounded, evidence-based solutions that have a positive impact in the areas in which it operates.

The Center has also contributed to a number of significant research and academic initiatives, including a study on the integration of women’s issues in Yemeni media, conducted in cooperation with GIZ and Sana’a University in 2019. In addition, it has supervised and supported several academic promotion research projects for its faculty members. Notable examples include:

  • Accounting Measurement of the Cost of Quality in Islamic Banking Services in Yemen: A Case Study of Tadhamon Bank.

  • The Impact of Self-Help Plans on Enhancing the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women: A Case Study of Beit Mahfad Village (2023).

  • Trends of Yemeni University Affiliates toward Assuming Leadership Positions: Sana’a University (2024).

These studies reflect the Center’s strong engagement in applied research and its commitment to addressing key social, economic, and institutional issues within the Yemeni context.

Funded Research and Academic Output

The Center has carried out a number of funded research studies addressing critical social and development issues, including child marriage, gender-based violence, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, the Center has supervised and supported numerous master’s theses and doctoral dissertations, contributing to the production of rigorous academic knowledge.

Capacity Building and Continuing Education
Capacity building and lifelong learning are advanced through the Center’s academic programs, which include diploma and master’s programs delivered in English, a parallel program offered in Arabic, as well as a doctoral (PhD) program. These programs aim to strengthen professional competencies and support sustainable development efforts.

Consultancy Services
These services are delivered through advisory and consultation sessions linked to the projects implemented by the Center over the past years, drawing on its accumulated expertise and practical experience.

Training and Capacity Building
The Center provides training and capacity-building activities through a number of projects for which it has received funding, with a focus on strengthening institutional and individual capabilities in development-related fields.

Direct Services

The Center offers a range of academic programs, including a Specialized Diploma in International Development, a Master’s Program in International Development Studies, and a Doctoral (PhD) Program in International Development Studies. The outcomes of these programs are closely aligned with the national development context and contribute to development efforts across multiple dimensions, including economic, cultural, social, sustainable development, and governance.

In addition, the Center organizes a variety of workshops tailored to the needs of different state institutions and stakeholders. These include workshops on public opinion measurement related to key development issues, specialized workshops on humanitarian response, capacity-building workshops for national cadres in diverse field research methodologies, workshops addressing poverty-related issues, conflict-focused workshops, and specialized workshops on research requirements and artificial intelligence.

Areas in Which the Center Has the Capacity to Provide Community Service Research and Studies

The Center has five (5) specialized staff members in the fields of development, planning, and management. They have significant professional experience, with some individuals ranging from five to ten years in their careers. This expertise provides a strong foundation for conducting research and studies in areas that fall within the Center’s mandate and align with its objectives. In addition, graduates of the Center’s master’s and doctoral programs constitute a core human resource and serve as the nucleus for future development initiatives.
Capacity building is carried out on an ongoing basis through teaching in postgraduate programs (Diploma, Master’s, and Doctoral levels). The Center also organizes training workshops focused on updating and enhancing the quality of academic programs. Furthermore, staff development and training are provided to ensure the modernization of programs and their various courses, in accordance with what is recognized by international universities.

Training and Capacity Building
The Center boasts a robust infrastructure featuring five training and teaching halls, as well as facilities for research seminars. It is supported by a qualified academic staff holding various academic ranks (Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor) across diverse disciplines, in line with the Center’s objectives and areas of interest. Training activities are also implemented based on project needs in collaboration with supporting partners at both the municipal and governorate levels. In addition, the Center provides specialized training for researchers in areas related to research implementation and the requirements for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Moreover, the Center has conducted several workshops focused on the development of academic approaches to post-conflict reconstruction. These workshops targeted researchers and faculty members and were delivered by German experts in Jordan during the implementation period of the Reconstruction Project.

The organizational structure of the Center includes units for postgraduate studies, consultancy, and training, as well as an advisory scientific committee composed of distinguished academic staff from various departments and faculties. These resources enable the Center to provide multidisciplinary consultancy services that cover all specialized aspects of the relevant fields, leveraging its extensive experience in collaboration with both local and international partners.

The Center also has a distinguished team of researchers with broad experience in conducting numerous development studies and research projects in partnership with various local and international organizations. Through this expertise, the Center offers specialized scientific consultancy on issues and topics directly related to its activities and development objectives.

The organizational structure of the Center includes units for postgraduate studies, consultancy, and training, as well as an advisory scientific committee composed of distinguished academic staff from various departments and faculties. These resources enable the Center to provide multidisciplinary consultancy services that cover all specialized aspects of the relevant fields, leveraging its extensive experience in collaboration with both local and international partners.

The Center also has a distinguished team of researchers with broad experience in conducting numerous development studies and research projects in partnership with various local and international organizations. Through this expertise, the Center offers specialized scientific consultancy on issues and topics directly related to its activities and development objectives.

Direct Services
The Center has a distinguished team of researchers with extensive experience in conducting development studies and research projects, carried out in collaboration with numerous local and international organizations. Leveraging this expertise, the Center provides specialized scientific consultancy on issues and topics directly related to its activities and development objectives, ensuring the delivery of direct services that effectively meet the practical needs of the community and beneficiary organizations.

The Center delivers direct services through the graduation of multiple cohorts, including eight cohorts from the English-language Master’s program and four cohorts from the Arabic-language Master’s program. These graduates form the nucleus for development work based on social justice and contribute to involving women in the development process.

The Center is equipped with a comprehensive infrastructure, including four training and lecture halls of varying sizes, furnished with all necessary scientific tools such as screens, computers, projectors, whiteboards, and audio systems. These facilities are utilized for lectures, examinations, scientific discussions, workshops, seminars, meetings, and various events organized by the Center and the University, in addition to serving researchers.

The Center’s library, covering an area of 15×16 meters, provides services to researchers and faculty members for both on-site consultation and external borrowing. It supports training and scientific research through search engines and library catalogs. The library houses a wide range of references, books, master’s and doctoral theses, and specialized scientific journals in both print and electronic formats. It is equipped with an automated library management system (Libsys), a server, and 15 modern computers to facilitate research and internet access.

Furthermore, the library features a modern electronic portal that provides access to its information resources for all university affiliates, as well as researchers from other governmental and private universities. The Center also provides internet services in its halls, administrative offices, and library through standard and 4G networks to support the completion of academic and research tasks.

 

Community Service Areas Offered by the Center

The Center operates within a comprehensive vision aimed at strengthening its developmental role in serving the community through the provision of academic programs, research studies, and training initiatives that contribute to sustainable economic and social development. The following are the main areas in which the Center believes it can provide effective community service:

  • Sustainable Development

The Center seeks to offer specialized academic programs (Diploma, Master’s, and Doctoral levels) that focus on the concepts and tools of sustainable development, supported by qualified academic staff and an integrated infrastructure. These programs aim to establish sustainable educational foundations and expand development horizons in Yemen through applied studies and research.

  • Collaborating entities: Center for Quality and Academic Development, Postgraduate Studies, University Administration.
  • Expected impact: Developing studies and research that focus on the continuity and sustainability of development across various sectors.
  • Reconstruction
    The Center presents a scientific framework for academic programs (Diploma, Master’s, and Doctoral levels) addressing reconstruction issues in accordance with international standards. This program represents an academic and economic response to the changes that Yemen has experienced in recent years.
  • Expected impact: Identifying reconstruction priorities and building a specialized knowledge base that contributes to the state’s future reconstruction efforts.
  • Capacity Building

    The Center works to implement training and awareness programs aimed at developing skills and capacities across various fields related to development, using up-to-date training manuals and highly qualified training personnel.
    • Collaborating entities: Center for Business Administration, Population Studies Center, Water and Environment Center, and various faculties.
    Expected impact: Enhancing individual competencies and linking educational outcomes to local development needs.

  • Family Empowerment


     The Center implements training and awareness programs aimed at empowering families, with a particular focus on integrating women into the development process. This area builds on the Center’s prior experience in gender-related issues.
    Expected impact: Supporting livelihoods, improving household income, and fostering integrated community development.

    Small Projects
    • The Center contributes to the promotion of entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and rural and agricultural development by building individuals’ capacities in the fields of small and medium-sized enterprises.
    Collaborating entities: Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Faculty of Agriculture.
    • Expected impact: Developing local community capacities and delivering high-priority development initiatives.

  • Family Empowerment


     The Center implements training and awareness programs aimed at empowering families, with a particular focus on integrating women into the development process. This area builds on the Center’s prior experience in gender-related issues.
    Expected impact: Supporting livelihoods, improving household income, and fostering integrated community development.

    Small Projects
    • The Center contributes to the promotion of entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and rural and agricultural development by building individuals’ capacities in the fields of small and medium-sized enterprises.
    Collaborating entities: Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Faculty of Agriculture.
    • Expected impact: Developing local community capacities and delivering high-priority development initiatives.

  • Family Empowerment


     The Center implements training and awareness programs aimed at empowering families, with a particular focus on integrating women into the development process. This area builds on the Center’s prior experience in gender-related issues.
    Expected impact: Supporting livelihoods, improving household income, and fostering integrated community development.

    Small Projects
    • The Center contributes to the promotion of entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and rural and agricultural development by building individuals’ capacities in the fields of small and medium-sized enterprises.
    Collaborating entities: Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Faculty of Agriculture.
    • Expected impact: Developing local community capacities and delivering high-priority development initiatives.

Areas in Which the Center Can Provide Community service in Line with the Research Map of the Republic of Yemen

Within the framework of the Center’s efforts to activate its developmental and service-oriented role, it has identified a set of priority areas through which community services can be delivered based on scientific and academic studies. The following presents the key areas and the proposed engagement:

Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Type of Service: Development of small-scale economic models based on local resources.

Description: Preparation of studies on technologies adapted to climate variability, the utilization of agricultural land, and addressing priority agricultural needs, such as wheat and spices.

Available Resources: Qualified academic staff, students specializing in sustainable development, the Center’s facilities, library, and internet services.

Mode of Delivery: Through master’s and doctoral theses.
Collaborating Entities: Faculty of Arts (Department of Sociology), Faculty of Commerce and Economics.
Expected Impact: Providing effective strategic insights for poverty reduction.

Sustainable Housing Planning


Type of Service: Preparation of studies and research in the fields of urban planning, housing, and smart city management.
Description: Assessing the needs of urban and rural populations and proposing housing solutions supported by sustainable infrastructure.
Available Resources: Qualified personnel, students specializing in urban development, and integrated research facilities.
Mode of Delivery: Research studies and theses (Master’s and Doctoral levels).
Collaborating Entities: Faculty of Engineering, Strategic Studies Center, Science and Technology Center, and Engineering Consultancy Center.
Expected Impact: Producing specialized academic theses in the field of sustainable housing.

Informal Settlement Challenges in the Capital Secretariat and Governorates

Type of Service: Studies and research aimed at addressing the challenges of informal settlements.
Description: Conducting field case studies in neighborhoods within the Capital Secretariat and proposing appropriate scientific solutions.
Available Resources: Qualified staff, specialized researchers, and research facilities.
Mode of Delivery: Research studies and theses (Master’s and Doctoral levels).
Collaborating Entities: Engineering Consultancy Center, Faculty of Arts (Department of Sociology).
Expected Impact: Supporting the redevelopment and reorganization of informal settlements.

Informal Settlement Challenges in the Capital Secretariat and Governorates

Type of Service: Studies and research aimed at addressing the challenges of informal settlements.
Description: Conducting field case studies in neighborhoods within the Capital Secretariat and proposing appropriate scientific solutions.
Available Resources: Qualified staff, specialized researchers, and research facilities.
Mode of Delivery: Research studies and theses (Master’s and Doctoral levels).
Collaborating Entities: Engineering Consultancy Center, Faculty of Arts (Department of Sociology).
Expected Impact: Supporting the redevelopment and reorganization of informal settlements.

Administrative Structuring

Type of Service: Studies and consultancy.
Description: Provision of consultancy services based on successful international experiences in organizational restructuring.
Available Resources: Academic staff, specialized researchers, and a supportive environment.
Mode of Delivery: Academic studies and consultancy services.
Expected Impact: Structural development of public and private institutions.

Agricultural and Fisheries Development

Type of Service: Applied studies and research.
Description: Studying local resources to achieve sustainable agricultural and fisheries development.
Available Resources: National prioritization of food security, research expertise, and qualified personnel.
Mode of Delivery: Research studies and theses (Master’s and Doctoral levels).
Expected Impact: Evidence-based insights to achieve food security through agriculture and fisheries.

Inclusive Participation of Social Groups in Development

 Type of Service: Studies, research, consultancy, training, and capacity building.
Description: Social and economic studies aimed at enhancing the inclusion of marginalized groups in development across various sectors.
Available Resources: A center with prior experience, a commitment to social justice, and qualified staff.
Mode of Delivery: Research, consultancy services, and training programs.
Expected Impact: Integrating vulnerable groups (women, youth, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities (IDPs) ) into development processes.