Our world is constantly changing more swiftly than ever before. And to go along with the ever changing world and be part of the change, equipping with the required skills and knowledge is mandatory.
To this effect, investing in human capital is sensible. For developing countries, like Ethiopia, to emerge strong and stay competitive in the international arena, it is a must to ensuring quality, equitable and relevant higher education. Cognizant of this reality, nation Education Sector Development ProgramV (ESDP-V) gives due attention for the expansion of quality higher education and has laid down the framework for sustainability, internalization and development of research capacity for knowledge creation and technology transfer.
It is crystal clear that, internationalization of higher education is the top stage of international relations among universities and it is regarded as a means to improve the quality of education. The knowledge translation and acquisition, mobilization of talent in support of global research and enchantment of the curriculum with international content are considered to be the benefits of internationalization of higher education.
Recently, Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE) and U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia had organized workshop entitled “International and capacity building in Ethiopia Higher Education” to drive for better out come. Speaking on the workshop, Science and Higher Education Minister Professor Hirut Woldemariam said that Ethiopia has turned a corner to usher in a new of opportunities and path that leads to prosperity and betterment of the lives of its citizens.
“We are on trajectory of unprecedented socio-economic growth and development. What was, just two decades ago, thought to be unthinkable is now not only achievable but within our reach. And I am certain the internationalization efforts could serve us as a means of achieving a better system in our higher education, quality higher education, research and knowledge production,” she noted. U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Micheal Raynor for his part said that the Embassy is working to share the best practices from the U.S. perspective.
“We look to U.S. universities to help our young people develop new ideas, encounter new experiences, broaden critical thinking skills, and innovativeness think about their place in the world and bring big ideas to fruition” The prime objective of the workshop, as to him, is strengthening the capacity of Ethiopian institutions to attract and develop the talent that can prepare Ethiopia’s students for the challenges they and their country will face in the future. According to Ambassador Raynor Ethiopia is looking to a future that is fundamentally different from that of today.
Ethiopian youths, hence, must be prepared to lead the way and that process can start with their universities experiences. The longstanding U.S. sponsored opportunities like the Fulbright Scholars, the Humphrey and the International Visiting Leaders Programs which have been supplemented more recently by Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholars program are designed to broaden academic experiences to exchange knowledge and best practices and to facilitate mutual understandings between people through shared experiences, he added. Over the years, these programs have created opportunities for over 1,500 scholars, community leaders, and government officials from both our countries to engage and share with one another.
“And through our Education USA Program, we have facilitated a steady increase in the number of Ethiopian students studying in the U.S. in various areas. During the current academic year, that number exceeded two thousand students, a 14 percent increase over the year before, making Ethiopia the 4th highest source of students from Africa studying in the United States.
However, we need to open the door for an even greater volume of exchanges by encouraging direct partnerships between our institutions. That’s where the concept of internationalization can help.” According to the Ambassador, internationalization in higher education is about how universities and colleges around the world can develop mutually beneficial relationships, creating direct exchanges that draw in diverse experiences, skills, and knowledge from around the world to their institutions.
And internationalization can help Ethiopian universities take the next step in their own growth and development. US universities are expected to help their fellowmen transition to adulthood, in a way that prepares them for success and, eventually, to become the leaders of the country. Ethiopia, of course, needs the same things from its own universities and its young people, and, he remarked. Ambo University President Dr. Tadesse Kenea for his part said that irrefutably, the globe is becoming more intertwined and Ethiopia is sharing the opportunities and challenges of the change.
So, to act jointly, working on human capital development and equipping graduates at international level has many returns. In nation where resource is scarcer and the demand to actualize quality is growing, materializing internationalization is one cure. The move could give opportunity for institutions to conduct researches as well go along with the rapid changes.
The Ohio State University, Global One Health Initiative East Africa Regional Office Associate Director Dr. Desalegne Mengesha also stated that internationalization is the best approaches that the Higher Education institutions should practices.
This could let opportunities and experiences that the new blood could get skill, knowledge’s and passions. According to him, the East Africa Regional Office is working with all public and private higher education in supporting the human capital development and exchanging of academies of both sides.
“The dynamism of education is demanding of high quality leadership and training system, that all colleges and universities should practices.” The workshop was in attendance of over 80 public and private higher education institutions, American scholars, and Ethiopian alumni of U.S. exchange programs.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 13/2019
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
