LEUVEN, BELGIUM – A high-level delegation from AMU has successfully concluded a week-long strategic visit to Belgium, marking a pivotal step in transitioning from the Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) program toward a lasting and sustainable academic partnership. Click here to see more photos.
The delegation was led by AMU President Dr.Ing. Abdella Kemal Mohammed, Vice President for Research and Cooperation Dr. Teklu Wegayehu Zara, and IUC Program Manager Fassil Eshetu Teffera. From April 19 to April 26, 2026, the team engaged with leading Belgian institutions, including Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), KU Leuven, and Ghent University.
The central aim of the visit was to secure the long-term impact of the IUC projects. While part of the official schedule allowed time for preparation, the delegation worked intensively behind the scenes to develop proposals for establishing a permanent Research and Consultancy Institute at AMU. This initiative is intended to institutionalize the research capacity and technology transfer achievements built through years of Belgian–Ethiopian collaboration.
On Tuesday, April 21, the delegation met with the Rector of VUB in Brussels, where discussions focused on sustaining research outcomes and expanding future collaborative projects.
The following two days were spent at KU Leuven’s International Office. Key engagements included presentations on the SEECR-Congo doctoral school project and Global Minds initiatives. A major highlight was a meeting with KU Leuven’s Vice Rector for Research, Impact, and Global Development, Prof. Isabelle Huys, who expressed strong support for AMU’s transition toward institutional permanence. She also announced plans to visit AMU in September 2026 to further strengthen the partnership.
On Friday, April 24, the delegation demonstrated effective coordination across multiple engagements. When Program Manager Fassil Eshetu remained at KU Leuven to deliver a specialized seminar to the Aquatic Ecology group, President Dr. Ing. Abdella Kemal led a parallel presentation at Monasterium Poortackere in Ghent.
The Ghent session focused on the achievements and impact of the IUC program, future funding opportunities, and the signing of new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). The visit concluded with a high-level meeting with the Rector of Ghent University, where both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in climate change research and joint PhD programs.
Beyond formal meetings, the delegation also participated in the Africa Film Festival in Leuven, attending a screening of My Father’s Shadow. This cultural engagement underscored the strong people-to-people ties that complement the academic partnership.
“This visit was about more than concluding the IUC projects,” the AMU delegation collectively noted. “It was about laying the foundation for a permanent institutional framework that will continue to advance research, innovation, and sustainability for years to come.”
The delegation returned to Ethiopia on April 26 with a clear roadmap for deepened international cooperation, along with plans for a reciprocal high-level visit from Belgian partners later this year.
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