Intergroup Relations Among Ethnically Diverse University Students in Ethiopia

Abstract

This study focused on examining the intergroup relations among ethnically diverse university students. The study was conducted in Bahir Dar University, one of the public universities in Ethiopia– a country of “indigenous ethnic diversityâ€. The participants were students, teachers and support staff selected using purposive and snowball sampling. Necessary data were collected through interview and focus group discussion. The study revealed different factors that facilitate and impede intergroup relations among students. The study also showed that students generally have positive attitude toward outgroups and developing positive intergroup relations. This finding has very strong implications in managing intergroup relations not only in universities but also in the society. The university management, however, was found unable to provide much support to such positive attitudes and promoting diversity mainly because of lack of institutional priority as well as managers‟ confidence and diversity management skills.