– Rolls out women-focused research grants
ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Civil Service University (ECSU) is taking major strides toward becoming a continental hub for public service training and education.
Accordingly, ECSU has made the announcement of its new Woliso Campus set to open next year and the launch of a dedicated research grant program for women academics.
Speaking at the opening of ECSU’s 10th National Conference on Public Sector Transformation and Development, University President Nigus Tadesse(PhD) revealed the institution’s ambitious expansion plan.
“We are finalizing the construction of the Woliso Training and Competency Institute, with a 130 million Birr budget already secured for furniture and equipment. The campus will open next year with a capacity to train 1,000 participants at a time,” he stated.
Nigus emphasized that the campus will play a critical role in equipping civil servants across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa(HoA) with internationally accredited, competency-based training. “This marks a strategic step in transforming our university into a leading African academic and training center in public service,” he said.
To support this vision, ECSU is also undertaking structural reforms and upgrading its facilities to meet digital and global standards. “We are not only expanding our physical infrastructure but reorienting our programs to reflect the demands of a modern and effective public service,” he added.
In a move to enhance academic inclusivity, the University also announced the launch of a new research grant program exclusively for female faculty members, part of a broader effort to promote gender equity in higher education. The initiative includes revising research policies, increasing funding, and aligning research with national priorities.
Over the past three decades, ECSU has trained more than 50,000 graduates across diploma, undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. It has also provided advanced training to 448 international students from neighboring countries including Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan, strengthening regional cooperation in public sector development.
Also speaking at the event, Ethiopian Civil Service Commission Commissioner Mekuria Haile(PhD) highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in public service reform.
“Public service is the face of government. Citizens demand—and deserve—transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. These are not optional—they are essential for sustainable development,” he said.
The conference brought together policymakers, academics, technologists, and public servants to discuss innovations and reforms aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s public service to meet the demands of a changing society.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 13 MAY 2025
