Ambo University, Addis Ababa University (College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine), Hawassa University, Jimma University and Ghent University have united forces into a University Network called IQ-GEAR (acronym for Interuniversity Collaboration for Quality Graduate Education and Research in Ethiopia). The vision of IQ-QEAR is to transform both postgraduate education and research quality, and to become a driver of equitable and sustainable development in Ethiopia. The main missions are (i) to deliver higher quality and inclusive postgraduate education, (ii) to improve research practices, and interuniversity/disciplinary research, (iii) to improve ICT and library services that enhance (i) and (ii), and to (iv) improve engagement of stakeholders that enhance (i) - (iii).
A word from the coordinators
Dear IQ-GEAR members, colleagues and friends,
Before we enter a new Ethiopian year (2017!), we would like to share our fifth newsletter. Since our last newsletter a lot has happened within the IQ-GEAR network: (i) SP1 advanced the development of the PhD competency framework by outlining the subsequent stages in the process (May 21), and (ii) organized the second part of the train-of-trainer for PhD supervision at Hawassa (May 23 - 24), (iii) SP3 organized on 10-day ICT-training in Ghent (May 28 – June 8) and (iv) has procured the necessary equipment. It is also our pleasure to inform you that (v) Hika Waktole has obtained his PhD degree, and (vi) our PhD student Meskerem Jisso received an award for outstanding contributions.
Meanwhile, the Network is planning ahead: (i) national validation of the PhD competency framework (August 22), (ii) update on the IQ-GEAR project (September 18), (iii) an external advisory board meeting (September 18), (iv) a joint steering committee (September 19), (v) a precatory meeting to roll out the Ethiopian Superstars program (September 19).
Enjoy reading the newsletter and see you soon!
10-day ICT training at Ghent
During a 10-day training (May 28 26 - 29), 4 participants (2 from AU, 1 from HU and 1 from JU, 3 men and 1 woman) were trained on proxmox, network attached storage and Opnsense. The training was provided by Ghent University (Rudy Gevaert) in collaboration with Thomas More (Gunther Van Landeghem).
Figure 3. Participants having a hands-on training
Procurement / donation of ICT equipment
Figure 4. Procurements and donations by SP3
PhD Competency Framework
SP1 decided to take the following steps in the validation process: (i) validation by IQ-GEAR members only and selected representatives of disciplines; (ii) a nation wide validation by vice-presidents and directors of graduate schools. This national validation will take place on August 22 at Ministy of Education. On August 23, SP1 will discuss the next steps of the validation.
Figure 1. Teklu Gemechu (JU), Tibebu Alemu (AU), Taye G/mariam (HU), Bersissa Kumsa (AAU) and others discussing the next steps of the PhD competency framework.
Congrats Dr. Hika
On July 10 , Hika Waktole, the dean of CAVM and focal person for AAU succesfully defended his PhD entitiled ‘Biosecurity and Salmonella-related food safety challenges in poultry value chains in central Ethiopia’. Congrats also to the supervisors Gunther Antonissen (UGent), Hagos Ashenafi (AAU) and Kebede Amenu (ILRI). We are most grateful that they financially supported Hika.
Figure 5. Graduation of Dr. Hika at Ghent University
Second part of the TOT for PhD supervision
Figure 2. Impetus Academy training the Ethiopian Superstars at Hawassa
On May 23 and 24, Impetus Academy (Nathalie Aelterman and Femke Coster) provided the second part of the train-of-trainers to the 14 selected trainees - the Ethiopian Superstars. In addition, the coordinators of the project and the Ethiopian Superstars proactively identified potential obstacles to sustain the training beyond program funding.
Congrats Meskerem!
On June 15, Meskerem Jisso, one of the three PhD students within SP2, received an award by her home institution (HU) an award for outstanding achievement as top researcher based on the research publications in peer reviewed journals from 2021 – 2023.
The work was financed by a Network University Cooperation Program of VLIR-UOS (Belgium; www.vliruos.be)
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