Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the management of intercultural conflict among
students from ethnically diverse backgrounds in higher education institutions in Ethiopia, with a
focus on Ambo University. The study's qualitative research design was ethnographic and sampling
technique were simple random to students (open-ended questionnaire) and purposive sampling
(heterogeneous) for the FGD. The sample size was 60 students who had fully filled out the
questionnaire, and of those, 9 students participated in the group discussion and two vices were
involved in the in-depth interview. Analysis of the qualitative data started in the field where data
presentation was made in narration after thematic analysis. The findings of the study show that the
causes of intercultural conflict are ethnocentrism, prejudice, stereotypes, but majorly a student
murder at another public university, unethical presentation of the victim in mass media, service
termination, naming a block by a rebel group or activist, national crisis, well planned and
researched conflict escalation funding by ethnic entrepreneurs. The most widely prevalent types
of intercultural conflicts are first interpersonal conflict, then it develops into group and mass,
ethnic-based conflict, and structural conflict. Intercultural conflict management styles used by the
students are dominating, integrating, physical confrontation, fighting, legal procedures, avoiding,
and the most widely practiced is the collaborative approach, with over 90% of conflicts resolved
by the peace forum. The university administrators' conflict resolution strategies were both mixed
(Jarsuma and Gadda systems, local and federal forces). Although there have been challenges in
managing intercultural conflict, such as different communication styles, misinformation on social
media, unnecessary measurement by local and federal forces, and some students mocking
traditional conflict resolution, conflict entrepreneurs funding students to fuel conflict, and
homogeneous leadership. The study recommends that students use collaborative approaches to
manage intercultural conflict management styles rather than harsh strategies. The study also
recommends naming a block unofficially as it could cause intercultural conflict, so it is better to
rename it with positive messages. Homogenous leadership is a hindrance to managing intercultural
conflicts, so it should be heterogeneous to be the voice of the whole ethnic group. Finally,
concluded with constructive recommendations and conclusions.
