The Social Science Unit (SSU) is one of four academic units in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It aligns with ASTU’s mission of "quality education, demand-driven research, and community service" through three core mandates:

• Delivering a standardized common course curriculum to first-year (second-year) undergraduate students across ASTU’s science and engineering schools, supporting the university’s "whole person" education philosophy. Delivering a standardized common course curriculum to first-year (second-year) undergraduate students across ASTU’s science and engineering schools, supporting the university’s "whole person" education philosophy.
• Offering foundational research methods training to build data literacy, research design skills, and ethical research practices.
• Providing discipline-specific instruction in Psychology and Geography.

The unit does not enroll its own students but serves as a cross-university teaching and research support hub. The unit does not enroll its own students but serves as a cross-university teaching and research support hub.

Core FunctionsCore Functions

• Service Teaching – University Common Courses: Develop and deliver the harmonized national common course package (e.g., General Psychology and Life Skills, Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn) for large-enrollment sections (up to 500+ students). Ensure consistent curriculum delivery and alignment with ASTU’s values. Service Teaching – University Common Courses: Develop and deliver the harmonized national common course package (e.g., General Psychology and Life Skills, Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn) for large-enrollment sections (up to 500+ students). Ensure consistent curriculum delivery and alignment with ASTU’s values.
• Research Methods Curriculum: Offer foundational training in quantitative data analysis (SPSS/R) and qualitative methods. Provide statistical consulting and research design support to students and faculty from other schools.
• Research & Community Service: Conduct problem-solving research in areas such as development, governance, peace and security, geography/environmental studies, mental health, indigenous knowledge, and professional ethics. Secure external funding and disseminate findings via publications, policy briefs, and workshops.
• Faculty & Resource Management: Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty in Psychology and Geography. Ensure compliance with Ethiopian Ministry of Education standards and ASTU’s internal quality assurance.
• Reporting Structure

1. Internal: Dean → Unit Coordinator → Subject Coordinators (Psychology, Geography, Research Methods) → Full-time Faculty → Lecturers/Adjunct Instructors.
2. External: Coordinates with ASTU Office of Undergraduate Studies, ASTU Research and Technology Transfer Office (VRTT), and the Ethiopian Ministry of Education.