We are pleased to send you the third 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 June to September 2025, the following activities have been implemented in the project: - Activities 2.1.1&2.2: the second workshop, focused on academic autonomy and human resources autonomy of universities, took place in Addis-Abeba on June 4-6, 2025. 20 representatives from 10 Ethiopian universities took part in it. 2 experts from Ecole Nationale des Chartes – PSL (graduate college, member of PSL University) and University Marie & Louis Pasteur (formerly University of Franche-Comté), accompanied by a representative from France Education International, came to Ethiopia to conduct the workshops.
- Activity 2.1.2: a study visit of 11 representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and the 9 pilot universities (Adama Science and Technology University, Gondar University, Hawassa University, Haramaya University, University Bahir Dar, University of Dire Dawa, University of Arba Minch, University of Addis-Abeba) to France on July 8-11, 2025.
- Activity 1.1: a workshop on sharing experience to Ministry of Education on university autonomy steering conducted by two experts from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, accompanied by a representative from France Education International, took place in Addis-Abeba on September 16-19, 2025.
- the first workshop involved the 14 representatives of the Ministry of Education and the Deputy Director General of Education Training Authority ;
- the second workshop (a one-day session for each group) gathered 41 representatives from 11 Ethiopian universities
The activities below are currently under preparation: - Activity 1.2: a workshop conducted by the Hcéres (High Council for the Evaluation of Higher Education and Research, France) to take place on November 4-6, 2025; it will be followed by a seminar on “The role of quality assurance to support university autonomy” (November 7th, 2025).
- Activities 1.1.2: a study visit of 10 representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and the University of Addis-Abeba) to France on December 8-12, 2025.
| | 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 the reinforcement of 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. 2nd workshop in Addis-Abeba on Academic and Human Resources Autonomy On June 4-6, 2025, 20 participants from 10 Ethiopian universities (Addis Abeba University, Arba Minch University, Adama Science and Technology University, Jimma University, Harayama University, Hawassa University, Gondar University, University Bahir Dar, University of Dire Dawa, Mekelle University) took part in the workshop. First the Ethiopian participants presented their experience, which was followed by the presentations from the French participants who shared their state-of-the-art in the process of university autonomy in the French context on the two topics: academic and human resources autonomy. The presentations were followed by discussions and work in parallel groups to allow for more interaction and exchange between all participants. From the French side, participated in the workshop: Dr Baptiste Bondu, general director of Administration of Ecole Nationale des Chartes – PSL (graduate college, member of PSL University), Prof. Lamine Boubakar, former Vice-president for Research of University Marie & Louis Pasteur (formerly University of Fanche-Comté). Mrs. Esteoule, head of the higher education unit at 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. 2. Study visit to France 
11 representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and the 8 pilot universities (Adama Science and Technology University, Gondar University, Hawassa University, Haramaya University, University Bahir Dar, University of Dire Dawa, University of Arba Minch, University of Addis-Abeba) came to France on July 8-11, 2025.
The delegation was hosted in the premises of France Education International (FEI) and went to an outside visit to the University Sorbonne Nouvelle (USN)). The delegation was hosted by to H.E. Mrs Mahlet Hailu, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Paris. The following topics were addressed by representatives of French HE institutions (University Marie & Louis Pasteur, Ecole Nationale des Chartes, ISAE-SupAéro) and public agencies (such as the CNOUS-CROUS, AMUE) : topic 1 : Organization and Management – USN; topic 2 : academic autonomy – USN, HR policy; topic 3 : curriculum development ; topic 4 : research policy ; topic 7: digitalization; topic 8 : campus life. The study visit organization was coordinated by the French Embassy in Ethiopia and by France Education International. 3. Workshop in Addis-Abeba on the contractual process between the Ministry of Education and universities, with specific focus on indicators 
The workshop on sharing experience to Ministry of Education on university autonomy steering conducted by two experts from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, accompanied by a representative from France Education International, took place in Addis-Abeba on September 16-19, 2025.
The first workshop involved the 14 representatives of the Ministry of Education and the Deputy Director General of ETA and focused on the contractual process on the side of the Ministry. The second workshop (a one-day session for each group) gathered 41 representatives from 11 Ethiopian universities and focused on the contractual process on the side of the universities. An emphasis has been made on the KPI : economic models, strategic frameworks, mapping of training courses, assessments and evaluations.
From the French side, participated in the workshop: Mrs Cécile Batou-to Van, Deputy Director of strategic dialogue with institutions and Mrs Françoise Profit, Head of the contractual strategic dialogue department at the Ministry of higher education and research. Mrs. Esteoule, head of the higher education unit at 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 human resources 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 third information letter, the focus is on management and policy of human resources related to university autonomy. We would like to thank the LIRE department of FEI for compiling those references to our request 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);
Milly Zongo, Project Administration and Management Officer at HEU DCE. esteoule@france-education-inernational.fr
Photos: France Éducation international, Adobe stock
October 2025
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