One of the main goals of the NURTURE project is capacity building for the academic staff at the partner universities. In this regard, Dr. Askalemariam, NURTURE’s project coordinator at DMU, reports.
DMU has organized and conducted a two-day training program focused on Data Analysis, from 8th to 9th June 2024, for Education and Behavioral Science academic staff who are attending or already existing in their PhD and Masters programs. The training focused on equipping 24 academic staff members with data analysis skills using SPSS and AMOS. The objective was to enhance the participants’ hands-on practical skills in data analysis. The training heavily focused on key areas for researchers, including data preparation, analysis, and model building.
By building capacity in data analysis, the NURTURE project is empowering DMU researchers to engage in rigorous and evidence-based research, ultimately contributing to advancements in their respective fields.
Below you can see the photos from the two-day training:
NURTURE facilitated a visit between the southern partners and northern partners in Oslo, Norway in the first week of June 2024, again.
One of the main goals of the NURTURE global project is to establish and strengthen international networks and collaborations between the five universities of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, University of Gondar, Hawassa University, Debre Markos University, and Jimma University in Ethiopia and Northern partners in Norway such as University of South Eastern Norway and University of Oslo.
In this regard, NURTURE, in line with its capacity-building and network expansion goals, invited two of its project members from the faculties at AASTU and UoG for staff exchange to Norway for a two-week visit. In their visit to Norway, Dr. Fasika and Dr. Abraham are visiting USN and UiO and participating in meetings and discussions with various project handlers at the research and administration level to strengthen cross-university collaborations and further develop project progress.
NURTURE, as the conductor of the mentioned event, welcomed the guests, planned the meetings between the various members at USN and UiO, organized discussions between the project handlers, and provided social activities for the guests Dr. Abraham and Dr. Fasika. Also, the current NURTURE PhD exchange students who came to Norway at the start of the Spring 2024 semester joined the events. PhD students, Alamu and Mulugeta are on PhD exchange from AASTU and UoG.
After the group of guests visited USN and UiO and participated in meetings with project handlers, Dr. Shegaw as the main project handler took the initiative to take the guests for a tour in Oslo. On their city tour, the guests did sightseeing in Oslo, went on a boat adventure, and had lunch and dinner together.
During both the formal meetings and informal social activities, a lot of project-related experiences and notes were discussed and shared between the participants, and fruitful take-aways were extracted.
Below you can see some photos regarding the mentioned activities of NURTURE.
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University hosted the 8th Annual Research Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation for Industry (STII 2024). This conference was held at AASTU in the city of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia on May 16th and 17th. At this conference, more than 600 local and international researchers and experts gathered together at AASTU to share and discuss their research. NURTURE project was one of the main sponsors of the event and was awarded a certification of acknowledgment for its contribution. The NURTURE project and its funder NORAD were well recognized and promoted at the event, Dr. Kula, project coordinator at AASTU reports.
Nurture Project Conducted a two-day Life Skills Training for Students with Disabilities
The Nurture Project, in collaboration with the College of Education and Disability Research and Service Directorate at the University of Gondar, organized a two-day life skills training for 120 recently enrolled students with disabilities. The training was held from April 26-27, 2024, at the University of Gondar’s Maraki Campus with the title “Empowering Recently Enrolled Students with Disabilities through Life Skills Training”.
Mr. Daniel Tadesse, coordinator of the Nurture Project, gave an introduction about the Nurture Project, which is implemented in partnership with five universities in Ethiopia, and two universities and one research institute in Norway. The project’s focus areas include Special Needs, Informatics, and Health Informatics. In addition, it supports graduates in their entrepreneurial endeavors, conducts research, and provides long- and short-term training. The project also works to establish and strengthen disability support centers. A good example of this is a recent training on the use of a braille embosser machine, which the project purchased.
Dr. Kassahun Tegegne, Academic Vice President of the University of Gondar, stated that the purpose of the event was to equip first-year students with disabilities with knowledge and skills that will improve their livelihoods and those of their families. He emphasized that the University of Gondar is accessible to students with disabilities, and he advised the trainees to have plans and manage their time effectively in order to successfully implement them. He also encouraged the trainees to be role models and advocates for those who are voiceless.
Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, President of the University of Gondar, shared the university’s achievements in quality education and community service. He highlighted that the university has been recognized multiple times by various institutions for its success in quality education and inclusive education. He also emphasized the importance of disability inclusion in any developmental activity and gave the trainees the assignment to work with the university to set an example for other local universities. Dr. Asrat also mentioned that the University has learned valuable lessons from ongoing projects such as CBR and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. These projects have played a significant role in creating awareness and transforming persons with disabilities into productive members of society. He expressed his belief that the training organized by the Nurture Project will provide valuable opportunities for the trainees to develop their skills. He also commended the trainees to set clear visions and become ambassadors of the university.
Following Dr. Asrat’s speech, Mrs. Mekdes Melesse facilitated important sections of the training, including personal, social, and academic skills that the trainees need to develop. According to her, these skills will help the trainees overcome various challenges they may face during their time at the university and beyond. The training also served as a platform where selected staff and students with disabilities shared their experiences with the trainees. Mr. Seyoum Tilahun is a faculty member of the Department of Lifelong Learning and Community Development and has a visual impairment. He has ample experience both as a student and faculty, whose lived experience sets an example for students with disabilities in tackling challenges that they often face.
Mr. Habtamu Debalkie joined the University of Gondar as a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Scholar in 2017. He is currently studying for his MSc and is serving as president of the Program’s Scholars’ Council. Mr. Habtamu talked about the challenges he faces and the coping mechanisms he uses to overcome them. He also talked about the benefits of participating in extracurricular activities.
Below you can see the photos from the two-day training session:
Mr. Daniel Tadesse, NURTURE Project University of Gondar Coordinator
Dr. Kassahun Tegegne, Academic Vice President of University of Gondar
Dr. Asrat Atsedeweyn, President of University of Gondar
Training Participants
Training Participants
Training Participants
Training Participants
Mrs. Mekdes Melesse, Life Skill Trainer
Mr. Habtamu Debalkie, MSc student with disability sharing his experience to students
Concluding discussion: From left to right; Dr. Yitayal, Project team member and delegate vice dean of College of Education; Mr. Daniel, Project Coordinator; Mr. Tarekegn, Disability Research and Service Director and sign Language interpreter for hearing disability students during the training
Daniel Tadesse, NURTURE Project coordinator and associate professor at the University of Gondar, announces the launch of a two-day life skill training for disabled 1st-year students, being held from 26th to 27th April 2024. This two-day training session is being held due to the importance and high priority of empowerment and inclusion for the NURTURE Project.
The two-day training is titled “Empowering Recently Enrolled Students With Disabilities Through Life Skill Training”. It is organized by the NURTURE project in collaboration with the College of Education and Disability Research and Service Directorate.
More information and further descriptions will be posted after the training is delivered.
The date for the training: 26-27 April 2024
Venue: Aluminum Hall, Maraki Campus, University of Gondar
In line with the objectives of the NURTURE Global Project, Debre Markos University has started an ongoing training workshop for visually impaired students about assistive technologies and digital competence. In the first session, four days of training were conducted for 67 visually impaired 1st year students at Debre Markos University. The training included practical and theoretical focuses on basic computer skills, application of JAWS software, and digital competence.
Dr. Askalemariam Adamu Dessie mentions that these pieces of training will help visually impaired students improve their academic performance and social interactions. It will help them to be active employees with 21st-century standard requirements or to start their own businesses in a knowledge-based economy and digital world. The training allowed visually impaired students to have equal access to different assistive technologies. For example, the application of JAWS software helped them to read and write on the computer and to search and extract various information for their academic and social purposes.
Before training, a basic digital competence assessment was developed to assess the general competence of the students with regard to basic computer skills, awareness about assistive technologies, and their digital competence. Since the training has just started, as the training goes on, the results will be analyzed and finalized to be published through the NURTURE Global Project in the near future.
Below you can see the photos from the 1st training session (A four-day session):
Today, on 2nd March 2024, NURTURE planned a social activity for its exchange students to freshen them up after a cold winter and have open and friendly chit-chats with them about their exchange journey and experience in Norway so far.
One of the objectives of the NURTURE global project is to prepare a high-quality foundation for capacity and competency improvement by providing staff and student exchange opportunities between its partner universities in Ethiopia and Norway. In line with this objective, two Ph.D. students from the University of Gondar and Addis Ababa Science and Technology University have come to Norway to spend an exchange semester at the University of South Eastern in Spring 2024. Adamu and Mulugeta’s research is in the field of e-Health and they are staying at the campus Drammen for the exchange.
NURTURE’s project leader, Professor Shegaw Anagaw Mengiste, gathered the group in Oslo, and after a short walk and sightseeing in the heart of Oslo, the group had an Ethiopian dinner with the taste of home. During the whole time, many interesting and warm discussions were going on from all around. The group shared their exchange experience and discussed their research topic and research status at the moment. Also, many points regarding social inclusion at an exchange, cultural similarities and differences at home and abroad, material availability at the workplace, and systematic research were discussed in a very open and friendly environment.
Below, you can see some of the photos of this social activity.
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) has recently hosted a fruitful workshop on digital innovation and entrepreneurship as part of its activities for the NURTURE project in 2023.
Dr. Shegaw Anagaw Mengiste delivered training sessions for faculties, students, and researchers at AASTU in this workshop in collaboration with NURTURE colleagues at AASTU.
Dr. Kula Kekeba, the NURTURE project coordinator at AASTU reveals that the participants of the workshop have been very satisfied with their takeaways from the workshop as it has helped them gain more understanding about the challenges and implications of digital innovation and transformation in Ethiopia. The sessions were conducted interactively by holding discussions and encouraging participant engagement.
Dr. Kula said: “The digital innovation and entrepreneurship skill sets acquired during the training workshop are insightful and impactful for the professional career development of our PG and UG students at AASTU. Since the training topics were all taught and delivered with actionable inspiration, the workshop has become such a very fruitful and successful training program.”
Jimma University, one of the Southern partners of the NURTURE project in Ethiopia, has conducted two events/training sessions recently in accordance with the activities planned for the NURTURE project in 2023.
“Life skills training for female undergraduate students” and “Digital skills for employability” for female graduating class students are the two events that have been conducted, as Dr. Esmael Kedir, the ICT Development Director of Jimma University reports.
The NURTURE project at Hawassa University has finalized its preparatory work for the new academic year of the university. Dr. Tesfaye Bayu, the NURTURE project coordinator at Hawassa University, mentions the recent activities as explained in the following.
Hawassa University has conducted two rounds of e-course content evaluation with the aim of maintaining the minimum standard for online education content and interaction based on quality standards and best practices.
They have recently written three proposals for grant calls (IDRC and Mastercard Foundation). They have submitted the proposals with attached documentation about their participation in NURTURE and other local and international projects.
They have conducted an evaluation of a student-based plan for establishing an IT/ICT club which is going to be organized by the students themselves to develop the skills and future employability of the students. This IT/ICT club will also focus on digital literacy, community service, and visibility/exhibition activities.
Hawassa University is also planning to train a group of five students to develop a NURTURE-Hawassa website as part of their 50 hours of practicum.
They are also considering the development of a module course template based on their experience with e-course developments to ensure consistency, standard compliance, and faster development of the e-courses. They are learning lessons from the Louisiana State University in this regard.
