Assessment of Material Resource Utilization Practices and Its Challenges:The Case of Wollega University

The study was directed towards assessing material resource utilization practices and challenges in Wollega University. Descriptive research design was employed. Data were collected using sample of 88 academic staff and 121administrative staff. Both academic and administrative staffs were selected by stratified sampling technique along with using simple random sampling method. A questionnaire and interview were used as tools for data collection. The data obtained through the questionnaires and interview were analyzed using descriptive analysis like, frequency and percentages. The result indicates that procurement process, storage, controlling mechanisms, and maintenance have a significant effect on material resource utilization in Wollega University. The study also revealed that the major challenges identified were poor procurement process, inadequate storage, tight controlling mechanisms, and poor maintenance activities. The disposal of obsolete material was found to be insignificant, which has invisible effect on material resource utilization. Moreover, it is recommended that specification of resources have to be identified, building permanent stores and storage of materials could have to be arranged, it is better to hire effective and sufficient maintenance professionals and organize separate maintenance center in the institution.