Fruitful Visit To Ohio State University

Between the 20^th and 25^th of January, staff of the University of Gondar conducted a successful visit to Ohio State University (OSU).  Dr Afework Kassu, General Director of Research and Community Services Core Process and Mrs. Tsega Hagos, Director of Planning, Budget and Income Generation Support Process were invited by the Center for African Studies at OSU to take part in a range of orientation, planning and capacity building exercises.

 The visit forms part of an ongoing program of joint work currently being undertaken by the two Universities. Dr Afework, the program coordinator and Mrs. Tsega, the program fiscal officer, were invited on this visit as a result of funding secured by OSU from the US State Department for Education and Cultural Association for the program “Increasing capacity for undergraduate study abroad in Ethiopia”.

 The visit enabled both program staff to meet and share ideas and experiences with a range of staff at OSU including Vice Provosts, Directors of Centers, Deans of College and other prominent staff from the Office of International Affairs, Office of Sponsored Programs; College of Agriculture, College of Education and Human Ecology, College of Public Health and the OSU Medical Center.

  At the end of this stimulating and instructive trip both Dr Afework and Mrs Tsega hope to take their learning forward identifying and potentially applying key concepts and to aid in future growth and development of the University of Gondar.

 The OSU is the largest public university in USA with over 64,000 students. Cognizant of its excellence in teaching, research and community services, the University of Gondar signed a memorandum of understanding with OSU in April 2010 to facilitate joint work between the two institutions. Under the agreement the two universities aim to cooperate on a range of activities including exchange of faculty, scholars, and students for lecturing, advanced studies and research; research collaboration; establishment of joint degree or certification programs; exchange of theses, teaching materials, and other scientific and technological literature and; conduct of joint workshops, symposia, etc. on topics of mutual interest.

 This visit forms part of the above mentioned program activities and follows previous visits conducted by OSU delegates to the University of Gondar in July and December 2012 leading to the joint development of a “One Health Strategy document”. Out of this has grown the rabies control project – jointly run by both institutions and due to kick-off in May 2013.