CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH EXCELLENCE IN ETHIOPIA THROUGH NORTH-SOUTH COLLABORATIONS

Thursday, 27 January 2022

The Network for Ethiopian Universities Research Excellence (NEURE) in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Association for South-South Cooperation in Innovation Systems Transformation (ASSIST) is organizing a virtual roundtable conference on 27 January 2022 with the following major objectives:

1.     To share experiences among universities, research institutions, and funding organizations that are relevant for research excellence in Ethiopia.

2.     To initiate strong research collaboration between European and Ethiopian Universities and research institutions.

3.     To create research excellence and mobility programs among selected North-South universities and research institutions.

Session 1: A discussion session among the North-South academic collaboration experts and officials

This is the opening session in which country officials will present and discuss research and development topics.

Time and duration

Time: 9:00 –10:30 CET (8:00 –9:30 GMT, 10:00–11:30 SAST, 11:00–12:30 EAT)

Duration: 1½ hour

Presentation topics

In this opening and high-level panel discussion, the following topics will be discussed: Research and development priorities of Ethiopia, Challenges and opportunities of research and recommendations to bring its excellence in Ethiopia, Possible areas of research collaborations between EU and Ethiopian Universities and research institutions, and the EU Horizon funding program and how it can bring partnerships and research excellence in Ethiopia.

Moderators: Prof. Mammo Muchie, Dr. Azeb Amha and Dr. Ayalew Kassahun

Speakers

1.     Dr. Samuel Kifle, State Minister Ethiopian Ministry of Education: Opening speech, highlighting research and development policy priorities of Ethiopia in general and the Ministry of Education in particular. Possible South-South and North-South research collaborations. (10 min)

2.     Mr. Declan Kirrane, Horizon Europe, Coordinator of AERAP: What can the EU Horizon program mean for Ethiopia and how Ethiopia can exercise influence in that process. (10 min)

3.     Ir. Jennie van der Mheen-Sluijer, Manager International Cooperation Africa at Wageningen University: Past and present collaboration with Ethiopian Universities and Wageningen University’s potential research collaboration areas with Ethiopian Universities and research institutions in the future. (10 min)

4.     Prof Dr. Jon Abbink, Leiden University: Past and present research collaboration with Ethiopian Universities and research institutions. Leiden University’s potential future research collaboration areas with Ethiopian Universities and research institutions; thematic areas for research funding, potential funding options for Ethiopian Universities and research institutions. (10 min)

5.     Dr. Supriyo Chaudhuri, College for Employability Life : Global Talent Incubator for Digital Economy  to produce  Job  creator Graduates

Q&A / discussion: Chair: Mr. Declan Kirrane (30 min)

Session 2: Discussion Among North-South Research Universities

This is the second session that goes in depth on the research collaboration ambitions of Ethiopian and European Universities.

Time and duration

Time: 11:30 –13:30 CET (10:30 –12:30 GMT, 12:30–14:00 SAST, 13:30–15:00 EAT).

Duration: 1½ hours

Presentation topics

In this second session the following topics will be discussed: the current organizational structure and research landscape of Ethiopian Universities and research institutions; the Ethiopian national research strategies, and priority areas; how do the various institutions plan to excel in research; and the research focus of European and Ethiopian Universities and possible areas of collaborations.

Moderator: Dr. Solomon Benor and  Prof. Mammo Muchie

Speakers

1.     Dr. Solomon Benor, Director General for Science and Research Affairs, Ministry of Education (MoE): Research ecosystem of Ethiopia, Ethiopian research strategies and priority areas, the organizational structure of Ethiopian Universities. (6 min)

2.     Dr. Ayalew Kassahun, Dr. Azeb Amha and Prof. Mammo Muchie, researchers at European Universities: Outline of the structure of Wageningen, Leiden and Tshawne Universities; the state of research excellence and possible areas of collaborations with Ethiopian Universities and research institutions. (6 min)

3.     Dr. Thomas Ammerl and Mrs. Melanie Schulte, Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR): Outline how to increase research cooperation between Bavarian, European and Ethiopian stakeholders from academia, research, and public authorities. (6 min)

4.     Prof. Carsten Lorz, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT): Successful cooperation between Bavaria and Ethiopia in applied higher education, life sciences and agribusiness. (4 min.)

5.     Dr Dereje Engida, President of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU): The state of research excellence at AASTU and possible areas of collaborations with the EU partners. (4 min)

6.     Dr Binyam Tilahun, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, University of Gonder (UoG), describes the state of research excellence at UoG and possible areas of collaborations with the EU partners. (4 min)

7.     Dr Anegagregne Gashaw, President of Debre Tabor University (DTU): The state of research excellence at DTU and possible areas of collaborations with the EU partners. (4 min)

8.     Professor Extraordinaire Stephan Little, Tshwane University of Technology, SARChI Innovation Research Group: Research excellence, priorities of Tshwane University and potential north-south research collaboration. (4 min)

Q&A / discussion: Chairs: Prof Mamo Muchie and Dr Solomon Benor (30 min)

Session 3: Discussion among research institutes, innovators, and practitioners

This is the third session that deals with north-south and south-south collaborations, their societal impacts, and innovations

Time and duration

Time: 14:00 –15:30 CET (13:00 –14:30 GMT, 15:00–16:30 SAST, 16:00–17:30 EAT)

Duration: 1 hour

Presentation topics

In this session, possible areas of collaborations among Ethiopian Research and Science Organizations and international institutions will be addressed and identified.

Moderator: Prof. Teketel Yohannes

Speakers

1.     Prof. Teketel Yohannes, Executive Director Ethiopian Academy of Science (EAS): Speaks about the EAS and possible areas of collaborations with domestic and European research institutions (5 min)

2.     Dr. Tilaye Teklewold, Director General of Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI): The state of research excellence at ARARI and possible areas of collaborations with EU partners. (5 min)

3.     Dr. Feto Esimo, Director General of Ethiopian Institutes of Agricultural Research (EIAR): The state of research excellence at EIAR and possible areas of collaborations with the EU partners. (5 min)

4.     Dr Tilahun Amede, Head, Resilience, Climate & Soil Fertility. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Nairobi, Kenya: The state of R&D at AGRA and possible partnership opportunities with Ethiopian universities and research institutions. (5 min)

5.     Dr. Rahel Belete, Founder of Kilimanjaro consulting and Kilimanjaro Treading PLC. (5 min)

6.     Dr. Kinde Tesfaye, Scientist at International Wheat and Maize Research Institute (CIMMYT), Addis Ababa: The state of research excellence at CIMMYT and possible areas of collaborations with Ethiopian Universities and research institutions. (5 min)

Q&A / discussion: Chair: Prof Teketel Yohannes (30 min)

 Conclusion to Move Forward, Vote of Thanks and Closing Remarks: Dr. Azeb Amha, Dr.Ayalew Kassahun , Dr. Solomon Benor & Prof. Mammo Muchie and the scientific board members