NURTURE project’s mid-term seminar was conducted to evaluate the project’s progress in nurturing SDGs through capacity building in higher education across Ethiopia over the past three years. Hawassa University’s Institute of Technology (IOT) hosted the seminar.
On the first day of the seminar, 16th September 2024, Dr. Geberchristos Nurye, the Deputy Director of Research and Technology Transfer at the Institute, officially welcomed the researchers and guests and underscored the importance and timeliness of the topics being addressed.
Prof. Shegaw Anagaw, the Ethiopian Project Manager, presented a brief explanation of the NURTURE project, highlighting its collaborative nature. The project is a partnership involving researchers from the University of South-Eastern Norway (the project coordinator), the University of Oslo, The Norwegian Centre for E-Health Research, and several Ethiopian institutions, including Hawassa University, the University of Gondar, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Debre Markos University, and Jimma University.
The goal of the project, according to Prof. Shegaw, is to enhance the capacity of educational programs, particularly in the areas of e-Health, informatics, and special needs education, at these five Ethiopian universities.
During the first day morning session of the seminars, discussions focused on topics such as Mental Health and Digitalization led by Professor Monika Kundsen Gullslet from USN, AI and infection prevention led by Professor Jörn Klein from USN, Connecting the Future for Schools and Community Learning & Living Labs led by Professor Josef Noll from UiO, and Smart Cities and Sensors and insights from Norway’s digitalization process led by Associate Professor Marius Rohde Johannessen from USN. The seminar also covered topics like learning to use computer systems and implications for teaching and learning led by Professor Jens Kaasbøll from UiO, followed by panel discussions.
The second day of the NURTURE Project Mid-Term program evaluation workshop hosted by the Institute of Technology, Hawassa University, saw important presentations attended by top university leadership and other partners at Rori Hotel.
Dr. Ing. Fasika Bete, Scientific Director of IOT officially welcomed attendants where he stated that collaboration and networking between academic institutions, employers, professional associations, the industry, and the local community creates a conducive environment for the exchange of ideas and experience. He justified the aim of the workshop as an important platform to share experiences on issues of mutual concern among higher education institutions and other stakeholders.
Annete Løken from NORAD also added remarks regarding the project from the NORAD perspective.
Dr. Chirotaw Ayele, Interim President of HU, remarked in his opening speech that the university is striving to transition into a research university and strategically working to enhance the quality of education and research on specific priority areas identified based on its potential assessment and comparative potentials. Dr. Chirotaw added that Hawassa University has a strategic interest in strengthening national and international collaborations and the NORHED-II program-funded project, NURTURE, is one of the exemplary projects that are assisting the university in the right direction it envisions.
Dr. Tesfaye Bayu, NURTURE Project coordinator at HU, pointed out in his presentation that the project has been playing a pivotal role so far in improving the quality and relevance of education, staff capacity building, the establishment of small-scale infrastructures, stakeholder engagement, gender equality, and inclusion.
Prof. Shegaw Anagaw, Project manager from Norway, and Professor Biniam C. Tilahun also spoke on the objectives, outcomes, challenges of the project, and the way forward.
Another important presentation was from Ms. Meklit Mintesinot, e-SHE project manager, on digitalization efforts, progress, and challenges in Ethiopian higher education institutions.
Finally, there was a panel discussion on achievements, challenges, prospects of digitalization, and the role of the NURTURE project for the way forward.
Below you can see some photos of the seminar:
