Collaborative Agreement Signed between UoG and Punjab University Patiala (PUP), India
“UoG is geared up to divert the impossible in to possible”
Motivated by one of its five strategic themes-“Internationalization”, University of Gondar (UoG) is exhibiting a much higher rate of partnering initiatives with higher learning institutions, and other relevant organizations globally. The recent collaboration agreement signed with University of Punjab Patiala, India, on March08, 2016, through higher officials of both Universities, H.E. DrAsratAtsedeweyn, Academic vice presedent of UoG, and his counterpart, Vice chancellor of PUP, H.E. Dr. JaspalSingh was part of the same initiative. Dr. Assegid Demise (Senior Professor in UoG), Mr. Solomon Melese (HoD, Department of Management), and Mr. AssefaTsegay, UoG-CBE, Postgraduate Coordinator, were the other delegates from UoG who traveled to India with the vice president to deal, negotiate, and hence sign onan MoU on the pre-arranged collaborative areas, and make arrangements on others to be extended in the futurebeforehand with PUP’s representatives.
This exemplary partnership initiated by UoG’sscholars who are on their PhD study in the same university namely, Mr. MuluAderie, Mr. TeshaleBirhanu, and Mr. SileshiGirma, showcased the growing motivation and participation of UoG’s staff in internationalizing their mother institution, for which they have to be appreciated, and this has to be taken as a modelby others.
The two major areas of collaboration on which both institutions agreed and signed the MoU include: Joint teaching arrangements on sandwich PhD programs in Management, Economics, Tourism, and Finance; and, providing joint teaching and research guidance support for PhD Students.
To move the agreement in to action, both parties proposed to organize ToR discussion forum in Ethiopia, and deal on the specifics of implementing the agreement with UoG’s representatives. For doing so, a team to be led by Prof. A.S Chawla (Dean of Academic Affairs) and Prof. Navjot Kaur (in charge of the MoU signed)from PUP’s side,was proposed to come to UoG. With a premise to extend the tie between the two institutions, during his stay in UoG, Prof. Navjot Kaur is expected to deliver public lecturesaimed at sensitizing Ph.D programs of his institution to potential academic staff of UoG, and on some other related issues.
The other three broad future intervention areas on which the two institutions could possibly be engaged in cooperation, as the specifics were discussed deeply by both sides of delegates include: enrollment on Tourism and Hospitality, other short and long-term training and capacity building Programs, and resource sharing and mobilization.
Delegates led by Dr. AsratAtsedeweyn, Academic vice president, have also met the group of UoG’sfellow staffstudying for their PhD. in PuP, and discussed with them on what the overall living and academic conditions of the candidates look like while pursuing their study, in order to resolve associated challenges by discussing the raised cases with the responsible higher officials of the hosting institution.
The delegates were surprised by another exemplary commitment that the group is embarking on,besides initiating the linkage.Accordingly, the group was warmly appreciated and acknowledged by thedelegates for the “one book for my University library” generous,innovative andpractical contributionsmade to support their institution by donating books. Moreover, the various infrastructures in the city hosting PUP, Patiala, and in the university, including:the astonishingly well-furnished libraries, Ethiopian Students’ Hostel, sport ground, Gym, and otherswere visitedby the delegates.
Reported by:
Elias Menbere
International Relations Team Leader, University of Gondar.
Cellphone-+251918079577
/elirvd@gmail.com/
