We are thrilled to conclude the NURTURE project staff mobility program, hosting seven brilliant female academics from five partner universities and two senior officials from the University of Gondar (UoG) under the SEARCH project, on Friday 27th June 2025!
At USN Vestfold Campus, the delegation met with Rector Pia Cecilie Bing-Jenssen and faculty members from USN Business School. Our fruitful discussion focused on institutional collaboration and experience sharing on balancing family and academic responsibility for women in Academia. The meeting was wrapped up by signing a landmark MoU between USN and UoG to renew the two institutions partnership for the coming five years.
The agreement was signed by: Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, President of UoG Prof. Pia Cecilie Bing-Jonssen Rektor of USN
Our team also participated in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Norway ( from June 23 -27), gaining invaluable insights and inspiration—especially for Ethiopia’s rising female academicians.
We concluded our day by visiting the Beautiful Homstrand city and a boat trip. Many thanks to Monika Knudsen Gullslett, Lasse Berntzen, and Cecillie Dons Wallebek for all the support and being an inspiration for our exchange staff.
This journey symbolizes the power of global knowledge exchange, gender inclusivity, and institutional collaboration.
On 19th June 2025, NURTURE project hosted an inspiring seminar at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), uniting participants from all five partner universities in Ethiopia including Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Debre Markos University, University of Gondar, Hawassa University, and Jimma University.
A highlight of the day? Brilliant young female academic staff from our Ethiopian partner universities took the stage, presenting their institutions’ groundbreaking work. Their expertise embodied the very role models we strive to empower in Ethiopian higher education institutions.
This seminar was part of NURTURE’s commitment to fostering gender equality, academic excellence, and cross-continental collaboration! Seeing knowledge shared and connections built reaffirms our mission to uplift women in academia.
A huge thanks to all speakers, participants, and organizers—your passion drives change!
1- A Keynote Speech Had Been Delivered by Prof. Josef Noll (UiO) at the 9th Annual Research Conference of (AASTU)
Prof. Josef Noll, who is the Secretary General of the Basic Internet Foundation and the Coordinator of the Nurture Project at the University of Oslo, participated and delivered a Keynote Speech entitled “Evidence and Gaps in Mobile Internet Uptake“ at the 9th Annual Research Conference of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (STII2025, AASTU). which was held from 17 – 18 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The presentation was based on the study “Evidence and Gaps in Mobile Internet” which has established scientific evidence on the drivers and barriers of mobile internet uptake, the services being used once people have access, and the individual impact of the use of the services.
The keynote speaker provided a detailed analysis of the findings and suggested the framework for inclusive digital empowerment. The recommendations, grouped for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, point out the nuances of digital literacy and user profiles. The speaker stressed the need to find innovative ways to include those that are left aside due to cost and cultural and social norms. Finally, the speaker addressed and discussed pathways for the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) supporting an inclusive digital ecosystem.
The Opening session of the conference was held in the Exam Center Auditorium in the main campus of AASTU and the parallel syndicates had been conducted in the Red and Blue Carpet Conference Halls, AASTU. In addition to delivering his Keynote Speech focusing on the challenges of “Digital Gaps and Digital Inclusion” in developing nations like Ethiopia, Prof. Josef Noll also actively participated and commented on conference papers presented by a number PhD students and young researchers on different thematic areas of the centers of excellence at AASTU including AI and Robotics as well as HPC and Big Data Analytics.
The annual research conference of AASTU has been serving as an important international and national forum for researchers, academicians, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and collaborate on innovative solutions, contributing to Ethiopia’s technological and industrial progress. During this 9th Annual conference, over 400 participants attended the conference, coming from eight countries outside of Ethiopia and representing more than 25 universities and research institutions across the country. Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) has been partnered and working with 3 academic and research institutions in Norway including the University of Oslo (UiO) and the University of South Eastern Norway (USN) on an International Project entitled “Nurturing SDGs through Higher Education Capacity Building in Ethiopia” to facilitate its International Collaboration and Research Partnership.
2- Prof. Josef Noll (UiO) Presented a Seminar on “Local Language Models in Distributed Environments” at AASTU on Feb. 19, 2025
The AI and Robotics Center of Excellence and the Department of Software Engineering organized a seminar a seminar talk and a discussion meeting on: “Local Language Models in Distributed Environments – the growth-market for Ethiopia” which was held in the Conference Hall of the College of Engineering, AASTU. The seminar was presented and discussed by Prof. Josef Noll, who is the Secretary General of the Basic Internet Foundation and the Coordinator of the Nurture Project at the University of Oslo, Norway. This important seminar presentation, which was participated by more than 20 researchers and PhD students at AASTU, focused on the role and application of Ontological Engineering with special emphasis on semantic structures of natural language and Semantic Web Services. As indicated earlier, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) has been partnered and working with international academic and research institutions like the University of Oslo (UiO) and the University of South Eastern Norway (USN) on an International Project entitled “Nurturing SDGs through Higher Education Capacity Building in Ethiopia” to facilitate its International Collaboration and Research Partnership.
Master’s student Shegaw Marie Bishaw, one of NURTURE’s staff exchange members at USN for the Fall of 2024, reflects on his journey to Norway as below:
The Dream of Norway: Shegaw Marie’s long-time dream of visiting Norway had always been inspired by Norway’s stunning landscapes, fjords, and the Northern Lights. His friends who traveled to Norway before had shared stories of its beauty, culture, and warm people with him fueling his desire to experience the country. Seeing Norway in the movies and seeing it in person for him has been realizing a deeply cherished dream.
Preparation for the Journey: He reflects on how the passport renewal process in Ethiopia had been unexpectedly long, difficult, and delayed. However, with the help of Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, he successfully managed to go through the process faster and learned to prepare even earlier next time to avoid bureaucratic delays. He also reflects on the challenges and lessons learned while he was applying for the visa through the VFS Global office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, his first interaction with an international embassy-related authority. Challenges such as finding the location, exhaustive security checks, document submission, etc.
The Journey to Norway: He then tells the story of how he flew from Addis Ababa to Stockholm in Sweden and then from there to Oslo in Norway. He reflects how excitement had held him awake during this long flight all the time. He then shares how he arrived on the 13th of December 2024, was recognized by the immigration officer quickly as one of the NURTURE exchange students from Ethiopia, was welcomed by NURTURE project assistant, Hosein, and then had a ride from the Airport to Hønefoss.
Settling in Norway: Regarding accommodation, he then shares how USN’s provision of housing had been well-organized, modern, and even smart technologically. Regarding academic life at USN, he highlights how the USN’s structured and welcoming academic system made the transition into classes seamless for him. He shares how USN had sessions for the new incoming students making settling in easier, and how its diverse group of students made the international learning experience satisfactory. He also highlights how knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive academic staff fostered an engaging learning environment for him. Regarding social life and cultural experience, he shares how the international student community was warm and inclusive, how the coffee hours helped socialize, and how the participation in Global Week allowed all the students to showcase their cultures through food, music, and traditions. He also shares how he enjoyed visiting the Kistefos Museum with other international students. He then appreciates the help received from Emilie Kjørvik, the international student assistant.
Life Skills and Adaptation: He reflects on how he elevated his life skills and adapted as he had to cook, clean, use smart IoT technology in smart housing, and adapt to Norway’s extreme seasonal characteristics such as winter nights and summer’s midnight sun.
Exploring Norway: He shares how he went on a tour in Oslo with Professor Shegaw the NURTURE project manager, Hosein, and Berhanu Fikadie his exchange mate from the same university, the University of Gondar. He highlights how on the tour he visited different places in Oslo such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the parliament, authentic Ethiopian cuisine, etc. which made him gain deeper insights into Norway’s history, culture, and architecture.
Advice for the next Students: Shegaw Marie then suggests the next incoming exchange students learn Norwegian to ease their daily life while English is common. He suggests they ask for help as Norwegians are friendly and willing to assist. He highlights that the payments, transport, and dormitory doors essentially require cell phones. He suggests comparing prices and shopping wisely as some shops are more affordable for students. He advises dressing properly for the unexpected weather, especially in winter, and engaging in social activities to overcome loneliness as indoor dorm life can become isolating. He then suggests being prepared for high costs, being smart in expenditure, and respecting privacy and environmental values in Norway.
Acknowledgment and final reflections: In the end, Shegaw Marie expresses his gratitude to various individuals and institutions that helped him all through his exchange. The NURTURE Global Project, the University of South-Eastern Norway, and the University of Gondar for making this happen. Professor Binyam Tilahun, Professor Shegaw Mengiste, Hosein Kazemi, Berhanu Fikadie, Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, and Emilie Kjørvik for their guidance and support. Ultimately, he shares how living in Norway was life-changing for him, offered personal and professional growth, impressed him with natural beauty, technology, education system, and work ethics, challenged and experienced him to adjust to irregular daylight hours, and reinforced his power of perseverance, cultural exchange, and embracing new experiences.
You can read a more and more detailed version of his experience in his own words in the PDF file below:
NURTURE is proud to have overcome the expected and unexpected challenges to welcome its first female Ph.D. exchange, Elsabet Wedajo Welde, from Jimma University in Ethiopia to continue her academic journey at the University of South-Eastern Norway, campus Drammen.
Since the start of the project, one of the main objectives of NURTURE has been to provide equal exchange opportunities for both men and women at the master’s and Ph.D. levels at its five Ethiopian academic partner institutions to come to Norway to elevate their skills, expand their professional network, and collaborate on publications. To achieve this, NURTURE has been facing lots of expected and unexpected challenges such as Covid, civil war in some regions of Ethiopia, implementation of the GAT (Graduate Admission Test) in Ethiopia, and delayed fund releases in the first place to even start the exchange program, and has been constantly trying to find solutions to overcome them. In addition, the scarcity of female candidates due to many context-related problems rooted in educational, financial, societal, or cultural complexities has been making it even harder for NURTURE to reach its desired gender equality ideals.
However, regardless of all of the aforementioned challenges, NURTURE has successfully managed a reasonable number of exchange batches at both master’s and Ph.D. levels so far, and this spring NURTURE managed to sponsor its first-ever female Ph.D. exchange, Elsabet Wedajo Welde, successfully. This milestone is also in line with NURTURE’s recent efforts to promote female role models to encourage more females to join higher education in Ethiopia and motivate more females in the Ethiopian academia to follow their academic goals up to the maximum capacity.
Below you can see the welcome gathering organized by Dr. Shegaw Anagaw Mengiste, NURTURE’s Project Manager, for Elsabet to help her settle in Norway smoothly and get to know more about Norway as it will be her home for the next few months.
PhD student Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu, one of NURTURE’s exchange members at USN for the Fall of 2024, reflects on pre-arrival, arrival, academic, social, professional interaction, and life skill aspects of his exchange experience in Norway as below:
Berhanu on pre-arrival:“From my initial application to obtaining my visa, the support I received was commendable. A special thank you to Hossein and Professor Shegaw; the lion’s share of the credit goes to you. The admission process was smooth and welcoming. I received all the necessary information about my dorm and accommodations before my arrival. Additionally, the CDHI team and Professor Shegaw sent their best wishes as I prepare for this next chapter in Drammen, Norway. During the farewell, we enjoyed a delightful cake and coffee ceremony, making it a truly memorable send-off.”
Berhanu on arrival and accommodation:“Upon arrival, I was greeted with a very welcoming reception at the airport, which made me feel immediately at ease in this new environment. The staff were friendly and efficient in helping me collect my cash cards and room keys, ensuring that I had everything I needed to settle in. The orientation provided for the dormitory was excellent, offering clear guidance on how to navigate my new living space. This thoughtful welcome made the transition to my new home in Norway much easier.”
Berhanu on academic life:“I found a suitable and quiet working environment that allowed me to thrive. I had the opportunity to present my PhD plan to Master’s students as part of a global health course, which was a significant experience for me as it enabled me to share my research interests and engage with my peers. Additionally, discussing my PhD work with professors at USN provided valuable feedback and insights. I also enjoyed a welcoming lunch with faculty members, which helped foster a sense of community and support. I wrote two manuscripts that are part of my dissertation; one has been submitted to scientific journals for publication, while the second is currently under review by my supervisors. I attended two independent webinars organized by USN one focused on academic writing and the other on citation and referencing. The academic writing session covered essential aspects such as structure, clarity, and style, aimed at enhancing overall writing skills. The second webinar specifically addressed the importance of proper citation and referencing in academic work. Both sessions were informative and contributed to my understanding of effective academic practices.”
However, before arrival, Berhanu had plans for at least three manuscripts and attendance to some theoretical courses at USN, which unfortunately did not go as 100% as planned, as he mentions.
Berhanu on professional experience:“I took an online training titled Applied Implementation Science Research in Global Healthcare, Systems, and Policy Settings, organized by the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health at Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg and supported by GLOHRA Globalhealth.de. This training focused on the critical role of implementation science in enhancing the impact of evidence-based interventions across various healthcare settings. It provided insights into formulating relevant research questions, selecting appropriate study designs, applying theoretical models, and translating findings into policy and practice.”
However, Berhanu mentions that his interactions for professional development and personal growth via participation in international conferences held during the semester were limited due to limitations regarding his funding.
Berhanu on social life:“Social integration is essential, and I aimed to cultivate meaningful connections by participating in academic and social events both on campus and beyond. My social experience in Norway and at USN has been mixed; while I formed connections with a few individuals, particularly within the Eritrean and Ethiopian communities outside the university, the overall opportunities for social engagement were more limited than I had hoped. This made it challenging to build a broader network of friends and connections on campus. However, I enjoyed many social gatherings with the Ethiopian community outside the university, participating in events such as child baptisms and coffee ceremonies. These experiences enriched my social life and helped foster a sense of belonging. As an Ethiopian, these gatherings resonated deeply with me, allowing me to connect with my roots. I savored traditional dishes like injera, doro wat, and various spicy stews, which were often shared communally during lunch and dinner at home. The vibrant atmosphere was further enhanced by traditional music and dancing, where everyone joined in to celebrate and express joy.”
Berhanu on life skills:“Living in Norway has fostered my independence and adaptability, helping me strengthen my resilience and self-efficacy key attributes for navigating future challenges. During my time here, I acquired practical skills related to daily living, such as cooking and cleaning, which positively contributed to my personal development. One of the highlights of my experience was visiting historical sites in Drammen, where I gained profound insights into Norwegian culture and creativity. This visit showcased how Norwegians lived before the technological era, highlighting their resourcefulness and ability to adapt to their environment. The exhibits illustrated how they built their communities and utilized available materials, deepening my appreciation for Norwegian history and the creative spirit that has shaped the country.”
Berhanu on some funny experiences and lessons learned:“I encountered several funny situations that also served as valuable lessons for the upcoming students:
1-Hiking Shoes Misadventure: Another memorable experience involved a pair of hiking shoes I bought online, thinking they would be perfect for snowy conditions. However, I quickly learned they were not as reliable as I’d hoped. One day, while walking, I slipped and fell, making it clear that trying before buying is essential!
2- Black Friday Shopping: On Black Friday, I noticed a long queue outside a store. Initially, I walked by but later returned to find an even longer line. Curious, I asked what was happening and learned there was a special gift for shoppers. I joined the queue, only to receive a coupon for lunch. Unfortunately, it was during the fasting season for Ethiopian Christians, so I couldn’t enjoy the meal advertised on the coupon.
3-Bread Pricing: One amusing experience was that the price of bread was halved after 10:00 PM. An older Norwegian shared this tip with me, which I found both funny and helpful for future late-night snack runs and to be more economical!“
Berhanu on Oslo’s experience:“I had the chance to visit the Norwegian Palace, beautifully decorated for the holiday season, along with the vibrant streets of Oslo, which were adorned with twinkling lights and festive displays. The city radiated a magical atmosphere, making it a delight to stroll through its charming streets. After soaking in the festive spirit, I enjoyed a delicious Ethiopian dinner, savoring traditional dishes that added warmth to my holiday experience.”
Berhanu’s conclusion:“Overall, my exchange experience in Norway was a mix of positive and challenging moments. I appreciated the warm welcome and thorough orientation, which eased my transition. Visits to historical sites in Drammen deepened my understanding of Norwegian culture, and I encountered humorous situations that provided valuable lessons. However, there were areas for improvement, particularly in social and professional engagement. By addressing these, future exchange students can enjoy a more enriching experience while embracing the unique adventures of adapting to a new culture.”
Berhanu’s acknowledgments:“First, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Professor Shegaw and Professor Binyam for the overall arrangements that made my exchange experience seamless and enjoyable. Their dedication and attention to detail ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing me to focus on my studies and cultural immersion. I am particularly grateful to Professor Monika for organizing the workspace, including providing a computer monitor, which made me feel more at home. Her efforts in creating an efficient work environment were invaluable. Secondly, I want to extend my gratitude to Hossein for his warm reception, assistance with accommodation, and comprehensive orientation. His support made my transition much easier, and his guidance helped me navigate the new surroundings. Last but not least, I am deeply grateful to the Ethiopian community for their generous hospitality during my stay. The welcoming lunches, dinners, and coffee ceremonies were not just meals but heartfelt gatherings that fostered a sense of belonging. These social gatherings served as a vital manifestation of community spirit, strengthening our social bonds and fostering a sense of belonging. I want to thank Paulos, Fekerte, Solomon, Meron, Beza, Binyam, Alene, Yihenew, Eyob, Tizalu, Neyba, Abdule, and everyone else I didn’t mention by name. Your kindness and warmth enriched my experience and created lasting memories. The sense of community and connection I felt during these gatherings made my time in Norway truly special.”
Berhanu has also provided a great list of suggestions for improving the exchange experience for the incoming batches that will be considered during NURTURE discussions amongst the project manager, project coordinators, and exchange coordinators to elevate the exchange experience to a higher level for the incoming batches.
A few days before the current batch of Staff Exchange for the NURTURE project comes to an end, Prof. Shegaw Anagaw Mengiste, the NURTURE project’s manager, arranged another gathering for Berhanu and Shegaw Marie, the staff exchange of Fall of 2024, to spend another day out in Oslo and visit the amazing Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo.
During this visit, project members continued their previous discussions around how to elevate the exchange experience for the next incoming students over a nice meal at an Ethiopian restaurant. In this regard, the NURTURE project will soon publish the experience of Shegaw Marie and Berhanu as staff exchange in the Fall of 2024 to elaborate on how the incoming exchange project members experience academic, social, and cultural life in Norway.
Below you can see some of the photos from this social gathering:
On 30th November 2024, Berhanu and Shegaw Marie, two Staff Exchanges of the Fall of 2024 NURTURE project were invited to Oslo for sightseeing and to share their experiences about their stay in Norway. Dr. Shegaw Anagaw Mengiste, the NURTURE project’s manager, and Gholamhossein Kazemi, the NURTURE project’s assistant, organized this gathering.
We all met at Oslo Central Station and walked through Oslo and visited many places while going through Oslo’s main downtown street, Karl Johan to Aker Brygge where you can have a great view of the fjords. We also had the chance to visit the Vinterland and enjoy the most living part of Oslo during winter.
During our walkthrough, Dr. Shegaw explained about the governmental buildings and the palace on the way for Berhanu and Shegaw Marie and shared a summary of Norwa’s history. We then had a break at Aker Brygge while enjoying the sea view.
At the end, we went to an Ethiopian restaurant and enjoyed a very delicious Ethiopian meal all together. While eating we discussed a lot about the project from both sides. Dr. Shegaw elaborated on the project’s aims and goals and Berhanu and Shegaw Marie shared their story in Norway.
They reflected on their experience with the visa process, the entrance to Norway, and their stay here. Shegaw Marie and Berhanu shared that, so far, they have had a great time with a nice atmosphere at USN, meeting a lot of new people at their dorm and participating in events with their fellows.
Most importantly, a huge part of the discussions was around how we at the NURTURE project can elevate the quality of exchange and improve its outcome by gaining experience from the past and current batches and applying it to future batches.
Below you can see some photos and a video of this gathering:
NURTURE project coordinator at the University of Gondar, Dr. Daniel Tadesse, reports that, regardless of the huge challenges faced during the last years, finally, last week UoG successfully launched its Ph.D. programs that were developed in collaboration with the NURTURE project. He announced that, as part of this initiative, four Ph.D. students have joined the Ph.D. program of Data Science so far.
In the Ph.D. program’s inauguration ceremony, UoG celebrated this great milestone on 18th November 2024 where they marked a significant milestone for their College of Informatics. Dr. Taddesse adds that this was made possible through the support of the NURTURE project and its partners from both southern and northern institutions in the preparation of the three Ph.D. curricula.
The ceremony was attended by key figures including Dr. Kassahun Tegegne, Academic Vice President of the University of Gondar; Dr. Worku Abebe, Dean of the College of Informatics; and Dr. Yilkal Mulualem, Vice Dean of the College of Informatics. Other attendees included deans, vice deans, directors, faculty members from the College of Informatics, and newly recruited students.
Notably, Professor Binyam Tilahun, Research and Technology Transfer Vice President and NURTURE Project Director at the University of Gondar; Professor Shegaw Mengiste, NURTURE Project Coordinator; and Dr. Daniel Tadesse, NURTURE Project Coordinator at the University of Gondar, participated virtually and shared their insights regarding the new programs.
During the inaugural ceremony, attendees received background information from the College of Informatics and three PhD programs. Key messages were delivered, and discussions focused on how to support the programs and ensure their sustainability. The event concluded with a presentation of certificates to individuals who actively contributed to the establishment of the three PhD programs.
For the 2023/24 academic year, four students registered to begin PhD classes in the Data Science program. The other two programs, PhDs in Cyber Security and Digital Transformation, are expected to commence once additional students are registered in the coming semester.
WELL DONE AND CONGRATS UoG!
Below you can see some photos from the inauguration ceremony:
Dr. Kassahun Tegegne, Academic Vice President of the University of Gondar, addressing keynote speech
Dr. Yilkal Mulualem, Vice Dean of College of Informatics, addressing the audience about their readiness to start the PhD program
Mr. Belay Eneyew, Postgraduate Programs coordinator of the College of Informatics, addressing the audience
NURTURE project coordinator at Debre Markos University, Dr. Askalemariam Adamu Dessie, reports that DMU, in collaboration with NURTURE, has conducted a 6-day training session for all Health Informatics staff and 2nd year MSc students of Health Data Science on “Data Analysis Using Machine Learning (Python)” from 24th to 29th October 2024 at DMU. The session’s lecturer Ph.D. Fentahun from Addis Ababa University has led the sessions.
Dr. Askalemariam elaborates that Machine Learning (ML) is a critical component of modern Health Informatics and Health Data Science enabling better decision-making. Accordingly, to enhance the capacity in the domain, DMU has made this training mandatory for all the abovementioned groups of staff and students with a focus on practical applications of ML in healthcare.
This comprehensive training was conducted for 35 participants of which 17 were Health Informatics staff and 18 were MSc Health Data Science students. The training was aimed at bridging the theoretical knowledge and practical application preparing participants to address real-world related challenges.
The objectives of the training were to equip the participants with fundamental and practical ML skills, enable them to design and implement ML models for healthcare applications, enhance their understanding of ethical and interpretive aspects of ML in healthcare, and foster collaboration and knowledge sharing between them while introducing key ML tools and libraries used in Health Informatics research.
Day 1 of training revolved around the fundamentals of ML accompanied by hands-on activities. Day 2 revolved around data processing and feature engineering accompanied by hands-on activities. Day 3 revolved around building ML models accompanied by hands-on projects. Day 4 revolved around advanced ML techniques. Day 5 revolved around hands-on projects. Day 6 revolved around project-based learning.
As the outcomes of the training session, participants gained technical and domain-specific skills and got engaged in extensive hands-on activities and projects relevant to the case studies of healthcare where complex concepts were explained clearly and simply to them. In addition, participants showed great interest and motivation for follow-up workshops with a focus on Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing. Dr. Askalemariam reports that in the future it is important to provide ongoing support through mentorship programs and collaboration projects while at the same time aiming to expand the training to include participants from other healthcare-related sectors. However, challenges such as varying levels of initial technical skill among participants and limited availability of high-quality domain-specific datasets for training were a bit challenging, as Dr. Askalemariam reports.
Below you can find some photos from the 6-day training session:
