Ethiopian delegates discuss potential partnership

Nineteen delegates represented 13 Ethiopian universities at a reception hosted at the National Ranching Heritage Center, where they discussed possible educational partnerships with Texas Tech.
“We are trying to be a part of this Texas Tech University,” Belayneh Beyene, vice president of academics and research at Dilla University, said. “I am very glad to be a part of this collaboration. This will offer a student exchange and a professor exchange. If everything goes according to plan and we stay on the right track, the students will really benefit from this partnership.”

In attendance were Mengash Admassu, University of Axum president; Dawud Mohammed, Ali Samara University director of international and public relations; Seid Mohammed Ali, Jigjiga University vice president of academics and research; Gima Amente, University of Haromaya president; Beyene; and Yohannes Birhanu, senior cultural affairs specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa; and Girma Birru, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Ethiopia.
Bayile Damte, University of Baher Dar president, also was in attendance along with Kindeya Gebreiwot, University of Mekelle acting president; Alyce Hill, English language officer; Gezahgen Kebede, member of the Ethiopian Consulate in Houston; Fekadu Beyene Kenee, Haramaya University vice president of administration and student affairs; Fikre Lemessa, University of Gimma president; Getahun Abdisa Lencha, Assosa University vice president of administration and development; Yosef Mammo, University of Hawassa president; Demeke Mekonnen, deputy prime minister and minister of education; Mebrahtom Mesfin, University of Axum president; Zaid Negash, University of Adigrat president and Alem Mebrahtu Tesfamariam, Adigrat University vice president of academic research and community services.
Chancellor Kent Hance gave a speech to welcome the international guests, who then mingled and discussed the pending partnerships.
According to a news release from Tibor Nagy, Tech vice president for international affairs, Ethiopia is interested in partnering with Tech.
The country has a population of about 91 million and spends more than 25 percent of its national budget on education, making this one of the largest education budgets in the world. In the past 10 years, the country has expanded its university system from three to 21 institutions.
 Many of the country’s university faculty and researchers have bachelor’s degrees, but have not pursued graduate degrees. The nation is seeking partners to help in upgrading their undergraduate degrees to master’s and doctoral degrees.
“We hope to help their professors, since most of their professors only have a bachelor’s degree,” Nagy said. “The better educated their professors are, the better opportunities they can present to their students.”
Gebrehiwot said he is looking forward to the different opportunities that Tech will offer to the students of Mekelle University, where is the acting president.
“Texas has a good reputation,” he said, “especially with agriculture and technology. This partnership would offer more opportunities in the study abroad programs. We want to send students from Texas Tech to Ethiopia and we want to send Ethiopian students here to Texas Tech. ”