We are pleased to send you the second newsletter of the FEF project « Supporting the reform of university governance in Ethiopia, 2024 – 2026 », financed by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs! Over the period of January to April 2025, the following activities have been implemented in the project: - Activity 1.1.2: a study visit of 7 representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and the University of Addis-Abeba to France on February 3 – 6, 2025.
- Activities 2.1.1&2.2: the first workshop, focused on organizational autonomy and financial autonomy of universities took place in Addis-Abeba on April 1 - 4, 2025. 28 representatives from 8 Ethiopian universities took part in it. 4 experts from France Universités and the AMUE (French national agency for mutualization of IT services for universities), accompanied by a representative from France Education International, came to Ethiopia to conduct the workshops.
The activities below are currently under preparation: - Activity 2.1.2: a study visit of 12 representatives from pilot universities and the Ethiopian Ministry of Education to France on July 8 - 11, 2025.
- Activities 2.1.1&2.2: the second workshop, focused on academic autonomy and human resources management autonomy of universities to take place in Addis-Abeba on June 3 - 6, 2025. Representatives from pilot and partner universities of the project in Ethiopia are invited to attend. 2 French experts, accompanied by a representative from France Education International, will come to Ethiopia to conduct the workshops.
| | The objective of the project is to support the transition of Ethiopian universities toward their institutional autonomy. The project activities include the experience sharing between French and Ethiopian university managers on different aspects of university autonomy (organizational and financial matters, academic autonomy, human resources management) and is structured around 3 components: - Component 1 aims to support the Ministry of Education in defining its policy and tools to further steer the reform.
- Component 2 targets to reinforce the experience of pilot universities in operational management of autonomy.
- Component 3 focuses on the common discussion of the reform results by different local stakeholders, on both central level (ministry and national agencies) and university level (pilot and other universities).
The project partners include: - From Ethiopia: Ministry of Education of Ethiopia and 9 public universities (Addis Abeba University, Arba Minch University, Adama Science and Technology University, Bahar Dar University, Jimma University, Harayama University, Hawassa University, Gondar University, Mekelle University).
- From France: French Embassy, France Education International, France Universités (French University Presidents association), HCERES (High Council for Evaluation of Research and Higher Education), MESR (French Ministry of Higher Education and Research).
| | Highlights on past Activities | | 1. Study visit to France
7 representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and the University of Addis-Abeba came to France on February 3 – 6, 2025. The delegation was hosted in the premises of France Education International (FEI) and went to an outside visit to the CY University (University of Cergy-Pontoise) and the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Meetings with representatives of the HCERES (French Council for Higher Education and Research) and the France Universités (French Conference of University Presidents) also took place during the study visit. The study visit organization was coordinated by the French Embassy in Ethiopia and by France Education International.
| | 2. 1st workshop in Addis-Abeba on Organisational and Financial Autonomy On April 1 – 4, 2025, 28 participants from 8 Ethiopian universities (Addis Abeba University, Arba Minch University, Adama Science and Technology University, Jimma University, Harayama University, Hawassa University, Gondar University, Axoum University) took part in the workshop. The participants were divided into two groups and for each group the workshop lasted two days. First the Ethiopian participants presented their experience, which was followed by the presentations from the French participants who shared their experience from different universities. The presentations were followed by discussions and work in parallel groups to allow for more interaction and exchanges between all participants. From the French side, participated in the workshop: Prof. Françoise Moulin Civil (former president of University Cergy-Pontoise), Prof. Frédéric Fleury (former President of University Claude Bernard - Lyon 1), Mrs. Da Costa (financial director of University Paris Est Créteil) and Mr. Goyau (financial director of University of Haute Alsace). Mrs. Bydanova, project coordinator from France Education International, facilitated the workshop discussions. The project team would like to thank the French Embassy in Ethiopia (Mr. Marc Mion, University Projects Coordinator, and Mrs. Sabria Boudinar, Cooperation Attachée for Education) for supporting the workshop preparation and coordination! | | Learn more on University autonomy | | To enrich the knowledge of all project partners on the university autonomy, covering both theoretical perspective and bringing evidence on practical implementation of it in different regions and countries worldwide, we created a special rubric indicating bibliographical references on relevant topics. For this second information letter, the focus is on financial matters related to university autonomy. We would like to thank the LIRE department of FEI for compiling those references to our demand for the project. You can access the document here. | | Follow us on social media | | Publisher: France Éducation international FEI Team:
Fatou Esteoule, Head of Higher Education Unit at Department for Cooperation in Education (HEU DCE);
Elizaveta Bydanova, Project Manager at HEU DCE;
Milly Zongo, Project Administration and Management Officer at HEU DCE. bydanova@france-education-inernational.fr
Photos: France Éducation international, Adobe stock
May 2025
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