United States Embassy in Ethiopia’s political and Economic Affairs Economic Officer, Daniel S Streitfeld and Trade and Investment Specialist, Mr Abdulkader Hussen, paid a courtesy visit to AMU on 7th March, 2020 and in an informal parley with Dr Damtew Darza and vice presidents, discussed possibility of developing partnership on different areas including economic development. click here to see the pictures
The dignitaries who had been to Arba Minch to talk to political, educational and economic representatives of the region, said, to understand the economic situation of regions we communicate with American and Ethiopian investors as their respective experience help to know the ground reality.
At the outset, AMU President, Dr Damtew Darza, apprised the visiting dignitaries about AMU’s academic, research endeavors, different research centres and ongoing activities with their respective focus. In turn, Mr Daniel, responded that Ethiopian students can avail great opportunities in US and American professors can come down for two years programs as Embassy does lot of outreach with universities. Mr Abdulkader asked AMU officials to look for information streamed on US Embassy website social media to avail the opportunities.
Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Yechale Kebede, sought US help in the field of staff development through short-term training to aid for PhD programs so that their valuable experience and knowledge will build AMU capacity. Similarly, he said, laboratories and workshops need advanced equipment, gadgets and knowhow; libraries need books and research journals and possible setting up of an incubation centre may facilitate or make available jobs and opportunities to be entrepreneurs.
Presenting his perspective, Research and Community Service Vice President, Dr Simon Shibru, said, our partnership with you can be meaningful and for us it’s imperative to tie up with reputable US varsities to strengthen our institutional capacity and development projects because being categorized as Research University, we need to have well-established institutional set-up and US’ reputed universities can fit the bill.
He further apprised the dignitaries about AMU’s collaboration with Flemish universities under VLIROUS, leadership capacity building projects with Netherlands and other global partnership that clearly exemplify internationalization of AMU endeavor; yet, we need help of global education and research institutions. He also urged Embassy officials for assistance to improve communication and writing of AMU community.
Mr Daniel answering Dr Damtew’s curiosity as to how US can aid Master, PhD programs, technology transfer and employment issues, said, there are lot of US institutions heard about Ethiopia and he will try to find out which one will match up with AMU’s need. School of Mines and Minerals in Colorado, Ministry of Mines and Coal can be good for tie-up; and areas including cultural and educational areas where US scholars are interested can throw opportunities to work with universities.
He informed US Embassy has a program that fund scholars visiting different countries to enhance educational strength and areas like hydro-power, anthropology, and tourism may be of great interest for USAID and gender issue especially women’s empowerment is the area where lot can be done.
Responding to Dr Yechale’s remark as to why US is not coming forward to support African PhD scholars, Dr Daniel said, I want Ethiopians to come to US for doctoral studies and assured to work in that direction; he said exchange of students for entrepreneurship can be amazing opportunity.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)