ADDIS ABABA – Universities must adhere to research-based approaches to help the nation maximize the contributions of its Diaspora community to national development, Scholar suggested.
Wollo University Lecturer and Researcher on Diaspora Policy, Mulugeta Tesfay said that universities should actively engage in conducting researches and forwarding mechanisms to maximize the Diaspora engagement in national projects.
He told The Ethiopian Herald that universities and other research institutions are expected to generate knowledge that helps the government, policy makers and private sectors to create a conducive environment for the Diaspora community.
Accordingly, Mulugeta said some higher education institutions are striving to the mutual benefit of the community and the country.
The scholar stated that over 170 countries globally have implemented Diaspora policies through allocating budget, maintaining rules, establishing procedures, and ensuring mutual benefit.
The Ethiopian Diaspora community is keen to engage on various investment opportunities and the country also expects its expatriates to be part of the national development efforts. Therefore, Mulugeta suggested that aligning these interests would help to achieve mutual benefit.
He also underlined that the existing Ethiopian Diaspora policy requires amendment to enhance the Diaspora participation in various projects thereby maximizing the benefit of the community and the nation in a sustainable manner.
Ethiopian Diaspora Service (EDS) Director General Ambassador Fitsum Arega supported the idea of combining interests for mutual benefit of the nation and the Diaspora community as it is crucial to realize a prosperous Ethiopia in the coming years.
Fitsum pointed out that a constructive engagement between the community and the nation is a driving force towards a holistic development.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2024
