Female Role Models In Higher Education In Ethiopia

“Despite the challenges, empowering and supporting females in Ethiopia to join higher education is one of our NURTURE strategies”, says Professor Josef Noll from the UiO.

One of the main aims of the NURTURE project is to address the quest for rethinking higher education in Ethiopia. Specifically, we are prioritizing female inclusion as part of our gender and equity focus in education and research at all levels across institutions. Equal opportunities for female staff and students do not only contribute to the project, but to society at large.

From frequent NURTURE visits to Ethiopia and the experience gained throughout the project so far, we have seen the influence of female role models to motivate and empower girls and women in embarking on the journey of academia. Hawassa University, being our excellent host for the Mid-Term Evaluation seminar 16-18 September 2024, has a specific focus on girls & women in higher education. Thus, we had the opportunity to interview several female scientists about their motivation and the pathway for females to join the academia in Ethiopia.

Below you can see four fantastic female role models, Yirgalem Mekuriya Lecturer at HU, Elsabeth Tekle Lecturer at HU, and Frehiwot Bekele Financial Advisor at HU standing with Professor Monika Knudsen Gullslett from USN, and Melkit Mintesinot from the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia presenting the eSHE project that focuses on digital empowerment of all 50 public universities in Ethiopia by working on the ethernet.edu.et network, all at NURTURE’s Mid-Term Evaluation Seminar.

Our NURTURE recommendation: Besides financial and family support, we need policies supporting females to join higher education, finish their studies, and become part of academia. Through NURTURE we can provide limited financial support and staff exchange, though the need for change in mindset at family, relative, society, and national level is a major task for the whole society. We hope that the interviews can inspire more girls to find their way to academia and thus contribute to the growth of their family, society, and country through their education.

Our NURTURE contribution will be to increase the visibility of female role models by inviting them to the seminar, interviewing them, and reflecting on their successful careers in academia to motivate and empower other females to join the academic world.

Get inspired, and watch the interviews.

Interview with Elsabeth Tekle Lecturer at HU
Interview with Yirgalem Mekuriya Lecturer at HU

NURTURE project’s Mid-Term Seminar

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:

NURTURE Project Mid-Term Seminar Hosted by Hawassa University

NURTURE Global Project conducts its hybrid mid-term seminar on September 16th-18th at Hawassa University, Ethiopia. The Institute of Technology at Hawassa University is the organizer of the seminar. In this seminar, all the members of the project come together to discuss the progress of the project, share ideas, and find solutions for the challenges.

Also, the NURTURE project is publishing its three-year project report in a book format and it will be shared with you all on our website soon!

Important information about the seminar:
Venue: Rori International Hotel
Date: 16- 18 September, 2024

Please, find the schedule of the seminar and the posters below:

NURTURE-Mid-Term-Seminar-Program-Revised-Sep-14Download

University of Gondar Organizes Career Pathways and Entrepreneurship Training

The NURTURE project at the University of Gondar organizes Career Pathways and Entrepreneurship Training for graduating students


The NURTURE Project’s main aim is higher education capacity building in the areas of health, informatics, and special needs education. Accordingly, the project has worked closely with the College of Education in curriculum development and revision, equipment supply, and capacity-building training.

In an important move aimed at equipping 58 graduating students with essential skills for the modern workforce, the Norwegian NURTURE project in collaboration with the College of Education at the University of Gondar conducted a two-day career pathway and entrepreneurship training from August 24-25, 2024 at the University of Gondar’s Maraki campus. The training was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.

Mr. Daniel Tadesse, the project coordinator told the trainees that the training not only prepares them for their first job but also for a successful career and the potential to create jobs. He emphasized that taking the training is a vital step for them in ensuring employability and entrepreneurship opportunities for themselves and others.

While officially kicking off the training, Dr. Kindie Abeje, Dean of the College of Education acknowledged the project’s unwavering support in providing the college with an embosser, life skills training for its freshman students, and supporting the college’s endeavors in designing a curriculum for a master’s degree program in special needs education. Dr. Kindie also urged the trainees to have the determination to take every opportunity that comes their way.

Dr. Wultaw Mekuria, Delegate of the Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, on his part, indicated that the training contents suggest that it is a high-level practical training and that it is important for the trainees to meet the needs of the service and manufacturing industry sectors with the knowledge and skills that they will acquire from this training. He also expressed his hopes that the training will give the trainees important clues to job searching and creating.

Key components of the program included career options in education, alternative career paths, business planning and strategy, financial literacy and management, networking and professional development, and marketing and branding.

The trainers’ expertise has also been central in fostering the next generation of skilled professionals and entrepreneurs. Mr. Ashenafi Desalegn is a Master Trainer and MHPSS expert with over a decade of experience in training, mental health support, and career development. Whereas Mr. Zelalem is an Accounting and Finance lecturer, ILO-certified business developer, and Employability skills and Dereja Academy Accelerator Program (DAAP) trainer.

What also made the training inclusive was that Special Needs Education students with hearing impairment were part of it. Accompanied by a sign language interpreter, the students contributed to the success of the training.

Below you can see the photos:

  • Dr. Wuletaw Mekuria, Delegate Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer of University of Gondar
  • Dr. kindie Abeje, Dean of College of Education
  • Mr. Daniel Tadesse, NURTURE Project Coordinator
  • Mr. Zelalem, ILO-certified business developer, and Employability skills and Dereja Academy Accelerator Program (DAAP) trainer
  • Mr. Ashenafi Desalegn, Master Trainer and MHPSS Expert
  • Mrs. Rahwa, Language Interpreter for Hearing Impaired Students

NURTURE’s Exchange For Autumn 2024

One of the NURTURE project’s main aims is higher education capacity building through staff and student exchange between five major Ethiopian universities and University of South-Eastern Norway and the University of Oslo in Norway. PhD and Master’s level staff and students from the University of Gondar, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Hawassa University, Jimma University, and Debre Markos University come to Norway to spend an exchange semester and expand NURTURE’s academic network.

For Autumn 2024, NURTURE has funded two talented exchange candidates from the University of Gondar to spend their Autumn semester here in Norway. In this regard, on 12th August 2024, Berhanu a PhD exchange, and Shegaw a Master’s exchange from the University of Gondar were welcomed by the NURTURE project at Oslo airport and settled in their new home in Norway. Berhanu is continuing his PhD at campus Drammen and Shegaw is continuing his Master’s at campus Ringerike of the University of South-Eastern Norway.

Good luck to them in their academic journey ahead!

Hawassa University, NURTURE’s partner, Organizes a Review Workshop for Digital Content

On June 20, 2024, Hawassa University Organized Review Workshop for Digital Content

The faculty of Informatics at Hawassa University has organized a validation review workshop to improve digital content for the Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Technology and Innovation (EdTI) with the support of the NURTURE Project on June 19, 2024. The proposal for digital content design is handled by the first batch of EdTI postgraduate students as part of their practicum with monitoring and quality control support from selected subject matter experts of the university.

While introducing the goal of the review workshop, Dr. Tesfaye Bayu who is a Director of e-learning and NURTURE Project coordinator at HU remarked that the concept of digital content development was meant to take advantage of the recently established e-learning infrastructure through the e-SHE project at the university. He added that the plan was to blend the e-content with face-to-face learning by getting technical support from ICT professionals. Hence, he pointed out that the aim of the review workshop was to enrich the designed digital content with professional inputs from experts.

Dr. Zufan Bedewi, Dean of the College of Natural and Computational Sciences, presented a detailed expert’s review of the designed digital course content where she appraised the students’ effort as a great starting point in diversifying educational access and quality. The other reviewer was Dr. Anteneh Wasyihun from College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Fasika Bete, Scientific Director of IoT at HU, also appreciated the efforts of the students and the coordinators for trying to meet the timely need of technology-assisted education for the new generation of students. He also sincerely appreciated the unwavering support from NURTURE Project in realizing the digital content development.

You can see some photos from the workshop below:

NURTURE’s Farewell Gathering for Spring 2024 Staff Exchange Guests

On Friday 14th June, NURTURE conducted a social event to farewell its staff exchange guests who were here in Norway, Dr. Fasika and Dr. Abraham. Dear Fikerte and her family hosted NURTURE’s guests at their house like they did for previous guests. She is a very kind Ethiopian lady residing in Drammen who always supports NURTURE’s exchange staff and students who come to Norway through NURTURE and SEARCH project. She is an amazing person with a perfect taste for making Ethiopian meals. Fikerte hosted NURTURE’s guests with delicious Ethiopian food, Ethiopian coffee, and drinks, including Ethiopian Tej.

Below you can see some photos from the gathering:

Networking via DHIS2 Conference at NURTURE

NURTURE is constantly seeking opportunities to expand its academic and practical network. In this regard, NURTURE’s staff and student exchange, Dr. Fasika, Dr. Abraham, PhD student Alemu, and PhD student Mulugeta along with Dr. Shegaw, the NURTURE’s project handler, attended the DHIS2 conference which was held at the University of Oslo 10-13 June 2024.

The DHIS2 Annual Conference is UiO’s biggest yearly event and provides an opportunity for the global DHIS2 community — a diverse group including implementers, developers, ministry representatives, technical partners, donors, and other DHIS2 experts from around the world — to meet and share experiences with DHIS2, learn about the latest developments and innovations, and make connections that can lead to new partnerships and collaborations.

Below you can see the photo from the event: