http://mos.sciedupress.com Management and Organizational Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2018 Published by Sciedu Press 7 ISSN 2330-5495 E-ISSN 2330-5509 Revolutionizing Public Universities of Ethiopia through Appreciative Inquiry Approach: A Case Study of Jigjiga University, Ethiopia Mohammed Jemal Ahmed 1,* 1 Lecturer and Researcher of History and Tourism, Wollo University, Ethiopia *Correspondence: Lecturer and Researcher of History and Tourism, Wollo University, Ethiopia. E-mail: mojem12@gmail.com Received: March 26, 2018 Accepted: April 11, 2018 Online Published: April 13, 2018 doi:10.5430/mos.v5n2p7 URL: https://doi.org/10.5430/mos.v5n2p7 Abstract Appreciative inquiry is a qualitative approach focusing on discovering and appreciating potential strengths and the core value of organizations. This article has tried to explore the potential of appreciative inquiry to bring a positive change in Jigjiga University of Ethiopia. The paper starts with the description of appreciative inquiry and the 4 “D” (Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny) model of appreciative inquiry. It has also tried to appraise the effectiveness of appreciative inquiry approach and design in bringing about change in the management system of Jigjiga University. The study is a case study of Jigjiga University within a context of higher education using appreciative inquiry to assess the need for change and make recommendations on this basis. The author has four year experience as academic staff, manager and lecturer in Jigjiga University. Hence, besides to the literature, the data have been drawn from his own practical experience. Moreover, researches that have been done by Jigjiga University Anticorruption Directorate and various annul reports of Jigjiga University have served as a main source of data concerning Jigjiga University management status. The author has tried to appraise the gaps of problem solving approach to transform Jigjiga University. The potential of the appreciative inquiry approach to bring sustainable change in the University has also been highlighted. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to appraise the feasibility and potential of appreciative inquiry approach to bring recommendable changes across several departments of Jigjiga University. Keywords: appreciative inquiry, change, Jigjiga University 1. Introduction In this part, various definition of appreciative approach; the four “D” model of appreciative inquiry; historical development of appreciative inquire and a comparison of problem solving versus appreciative inquire approaches have been presented and analyzed. 1.1 Definition of Appreciative Inquiry Approach First, it is essential to see the literal and contextual meanings of each word: appreciative and inquiry. The literal meaning of the term “appreciative” includes value, prize, esteem, and honor. In the context of this article, it refers to value; recognize the best in people or the world around us; affirm past and present strengths, successes, and potentials; to perceive those things that give life to living systems. In another expression, it refers to increase in value of something. The dictionary and literal meaning of the term “inquiry” is discovered, search, systematically explore, and study. “Inquire” in the context of this paper refers to explore and discover, to ask questions; to be open to seeing new potentials and possibilities (Yee Leng EOWa, Wan Ali WAN ZAHb et.al, 2010). The concept of appreciative inquiry has been defined by various scholars such as Bushe (1995), Liebler (1997), Cooperrider and Srivastva (1987), Head and Young (1988) and others. Even though these scholars have defined appreciative inquiry in different ways, the central points of their definition have similar concepts. Appreciative inquiry has been defined as the co-evolutionary search for the best in people, their organizations and the relevant world around them (Attiah 2015; Cengiz, 2010; Cooperrider & Srivastva, 1987; Cooperrider, Whitney, & Stavros, 2008). James (1999) expressed it as follow: Appreciative Inquiry uses "understanding-through-empathy"