Tandem Internship Training Session was successfully Conducted at Kotebe University of Education

Dec 3, 2024, Kotebe, Addis Ababa
Kotebe University of Education hosted a comprehensive training session for school mentors, university internship advisors, and participating intern students as part of the rollout activities under Project F.A.I.T.H, Work Package 4. This initiation marks a significant step in the project’s commitment to enhance the quality of internship programs through collaborative engagement in Ethiopian Universities of Applied Science.
During the session, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Eprem T., and his team delivered a key message outlining the rationale behind Project F.A.I.T.H, the progress achieved to date and the expectations from stakeholders to ensure the successful rollout of internship toolboxes. His speech emphasized the importance of collaboration and active participation in achieving project goals.
Tandem experts Dr. Bekele W. and Mrs. Mignot shared insights into the structure and purpose of the internship toolbox, highlighting valuable lessons learned during the mini-pilot implementation phase. Their presentation shed light on practical approaches and strategies to optimize the internship experience for all participants.
Additionally, Mr. Hawarya, the Practicum Coordinator at Kotebe University of Education, provided a detailed overview of internship procedures, ethical principles, and the critical need for cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders involved in the program.
The event was concluded with a vibrant discussion and idea exchange, where partners reaffirmed their commitment to play their respective roles in ensuring the success of the internship rollout. This collaborative effort reflects a shared dedication to enhance the educational and professional outcomes of internship programs under Project F.A.I.T.H

Project F.A.I.T.H successfully Disseminates Lessons Learned from Tandem Projects
November 20, 2024, Samara, Afar

Project F.A.I.T.H has reached a significant milestone by successfully sharing valuable insights from its tandem projects during an event held at Samara University on November 20, 2024, in Samara, Afar. This gathering served as a partners meeting for the EU-funded EtD-FaM maker space project, bringing together key stakeholders from various institutions.

The event featured a strong representation from Project F.A.I.T.H with core team members from Kotebe University of Education and Jigjiga University actively participating. Dr. Eprem Tekle, the F.A.I.T.H Project coordinator from Kotebe University of Education, delivered a presentation titled “Establishing Universities of Applied Sciences in Ethiopia: Lessons from F.A.I.T.H Project Tandem Projects.”

In his presentation, Dr. Eprem outlined the project’s evolution, highlighting its journey from inception to its current state. He explained the process of documenting best practices and contextualizing them within the Ethiopian landscape through collaboration with European experts. He elaborated on the design and implementation of tandem projects, which played a crucial role in testing the feasibility of various toolboxes developed throughout the initiative. He shared specific lessons learned from each tandem project, demonstrating how Ethiopian universities of applied sciences can effectively collaborate with industry stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.

The event also provided a platform for stakeholders from Italy, Djibouti, and Germany to engage in discussions about future collaborations. This international dialogue not only set the stage for ongoing partnerships but also offered Project FAITH an opportunity to expand its reach and impact on a global scale. As Project FAITH continues to pave the way for the advancement of universities of applied sciences in Ethiopia, the insights gained from this event will undoubtedly contribute to the establishment of robust applied sciences programs that meet the needs of both students and the industry.

It is an honor and a privilege to share our work and future plans of our EU funded projects #FAITH and #MaDE to the consortium of #UAS at Dire Dawa University. The meeting was graced by the presence of the presidents of #UASs who unanimously approved the by-law of UAS. We also heard reports of #Koteb University of Education, #Dire Daw University, #Semera University and #Arisi University on their journey to realize the differentiation strategy. It is encouraging to see the efforts of many of the universities to assume a real of UAS. We also got the opportunity to visit the Industry Park and the dry land port at Dire Dawa. The ambition of the industries to work with the universities is very clear. Creating meaningful partnership and collaboration between the industries and the universities is non-negotiable. The effort of FAITH project in redefining internships, partnership and networking with industry/SMEs, demand driven applied research and technology/knowledge transfer, creating career paths for professors at UASs, Incorporating part-time lecturers from practice in the teaching and learning process and up skilling existing academic staff and engaging for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in teaching, research and management of the campus will play significant roles in transitioning the Ethiopian UAS. This will be further enhanced by the other project, MaDe, which focuses on the capacity development of the staff at UASs on the appropriate methodology that should be adopted by the UAS. However, as it was emphasized in the meeting, these different efforts should be collaborated to bring the desired result in a short time. I the coordinator of FAITH project have hope that the consortium established in the current meeting will play key roles in coordinating the efforts. I would like to congratulate Dire Daw University, Wallaga University and Debre Birhan University to have been elected to organize the consortium. #Fekede Tuli, #Almaz Wasse Gelagay #Zufan Gebrehiwet #Fekadu Yehuwalashet #Berhanemeskel Tena FAITH Project Ethiopia.

Jigjiga University’s F.A.I.T.H Project Tandem Experts held a productive meeting at the President’s office to discuss the rollout plan and implementation strategy for the Tandem Pilot Projects. Participants actively engaged in discussions, raising important issues related to both the plan and the project as a whole.
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of motivation and a shared commitment to successfully implement the pilot projects according to the established timeline.
European Union in Ethiopia Ministry of Education Ethiopia Kotebe University of Education Jigjiga University Wolita sodo university
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On October 18, 2024, the FAITH Project team held a virtual meeting for a performance review and status update with partnering universities in Ethiopia (Kotebe University of Education, Jigjiga University, and Wolita sodo university, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education Ethiopia. Leaders of the work packages presented updated reports on the Tandem Rollout plan, provided an overview of tasks completed and challenges faced within their respective tasks. The participants engaged in a discussion about the challenges encountered and brainstormed potential solutions. The meeting concluded with Project Manager Dr. Ephrem Tekle Yacob providing a comprehensive overview of the next steps and actions required to ensure the project’s continued success.
European Union in Ethiopia Ministry of Education Ethiopia Kotebe University of Education Jigjiga University Wolita sodo university

FAITHProject #Collaboration #Ethiopia #Education #ProjectManagement #TandemRollout

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The F.A.I.T.H project coordinator has submitted 18 months’ midterm project report to the European Commission ERASMUS-LS grant management on September 01/2024. The report is of delivered activities, tasks and sub tasks of all work packages planed to be delivered at that time frame.

F.A.I.T.H project coordinator Dr. Ephrem Tekle attended the Erasmus+ Networking Forum in #Nairobi, Kenya on September 21-13/2024. He made successful presentation on #F.A.T.I.H and #MaDE projects for UAS. The coordinator indicates that DAAD and #Erasmus+ are providing a great opportunity for cooperation between Eastern Africa University and EU-Higher Education in general and Universities in Germany in particular. On top of that, #Erasmus+ and #DAAD offer incredible opportunities for Sub-Saharan Africa, through which we are able to secure funds for #FAITH and #MaDE for UAS in Ethiopia. The two projects were examples for the valuable tips project application presentation emphasizing the opportunities offered by #Erasmus+ and #DAAD for Sub-Saharan Africa; made by Dr. Ephrem together with Dr. Uta Potgiesser for Over 200 delegates from #Germany, #Kenya, #Uganda, #Tanzania, #Ethiopia, #Rwanda, #Burundi, and #SouthSudan attended the Forum.

The European Union funded and coordinated by the Kotebe University of Education (KUE) Coordinated, FAITH project, an initiative focusing on creating a Fit, Adjusted, Innovative, Trendy, and Holistic approach in Ethiopian Universities of applied Science to meet the needs of industries and the labor market, held its second general assembly meeting at Kotebe University of Education (KUE) in Addis Ababa.

The event commenced with a welcoming speech by FAITH Project Coordinator Dr. Ephrem Tekle Yacob. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the genesis and rationale of the project, providing an overview of achievements to date and outlining the tasks ahead. He extended gratitude to the presidents of the partnering universities, project team members, and tandem experts for their contributions. Following that, Honorable Dr. Berhanemeskel Tena, President of KUE, delivered an opening speech emphasizing the need for differentiation in Ethiopian higher education and the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders. Dr. Berhanemeskel acknowledged the fruitful 16-month journey of the project. He commended the European project members for their dedication and particularly thanked the presidents of Jigjiga University and wolaita sodo university.

Status updates on several work packages were then presented:

• Professor Frank Ziegele from CHE Centre for Higher Education provided an update on Work Package 3.

• Mr. behailu Korma from the Ministry of Education — Ethiopia outlined the planned activities for Work Packages 4, 5, and 7.

• Mrs. Adanech Teshome from wolaita sodo university reported on Work Package 6 (Quality Management).

• Mrs. Zufan Gebrehiwet Hagos from Jigjiga University delivered the status update for Work Package 8 (Dissemination).

• The project’s external evaluator, Professor Erwin Smet, provided with a constructive and honest assessment of the activities performed so far.

Each presentation was followed by a lively discussion and exchange of ideas among the participants.

In his closing remarks, the President of KUE expressed his appreciation to all attendees for their active participation and contributions to the meeting.

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F.A.I.T.H Project, in collaboration with Jigjiga University STEP III, organized Eastern Ethiopian Industry Cluster Workshop on May 21, 2024. The workshop aimed to strengthen the linkage between Ethiopian Universities of Applied Sciences and industries.
His Excellency Bashir Abdullahi (PhD), President of Jigjiga University, emphasized in his speech the need for partnerships between universities and industries for sustainable development. Honorable Eba Mijena (PhD), CEO for Academic Affairs of Higher Education at the FDRE Ministry of Education, highlighted the importance of closer collaboration for activities such as curriculum development, co-financing, joint research, and internships.
Dr. Ephrem Tekle Yacob, coordinator of the F.A.I.T.H Project, presented a discussion titled “Realizing Universities of Applied Science in Ethiopia: the Contribution of Project F.A.I.T.H.” emphasizing the status of University-industry linkage in the Ethiopian context, Policy frameworks, Ethiopian higher education differentiation study and strategy, key features of Applied Science Universities, achievements so far, genesis and rationale of the project, its objectives, role, and responsibilities of Universities as well as industries on the realization of meeting the labor market demand. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring Elias Abdullahi (PhD), Ephrem Tekle (PhD), Ahmed Mohamed (PhD), Ashenafi Daba, and moderated by Fekadu Yehuwalashet (PhD) which addressed questions, comments, and future plans from both industry and academia, including university leaders, teachers, and students. Finally, the establishment of an Advisory Board through the STEP III Project was introduced to the workshop participants to further strengthen the linkage and ensure its sustainability.
At the end, Bashir Abdullahi (PhD), President of Jigjiga University, expressed gratitude to all participants from various industries for their significant contributions, and organizers – Jigjiga University F.A.I.T.H Project: Work Package 8 (WP8) Core Team Zufan Gebrehiwet Hagos (Lear), Meka Kedir Jibril and Fekadu Yehuwalashet (PhD) (Senior Experts) and STEP III project Team lead by Ahmed Mohamed (PhD).