Development theme focuses on rural poverty, improvement of the quality of life, and social and economic development of rural areas and highlights both the need for studies in gender and development, and the integration of gender analysis and gender relations.

This aims to equip people with the analytical and conceptual skills needed to understand gender issues in both contexts, enabling them to participate effectively in gender and development-related research, policymaking and implementation. Practice oriented research provides rural and regional planning that’s carried out regularly at district and sub-district levels following a participatory and integrated approach, and attention is paid to management of development Institutions, infrastructure and physical resources. Sectoral and spatial planning is also equally emphasized along with the management of rural development programs and local development projects to strengthen rural communities for sustainable development