Unisa renews commitment to capacity building in Ethiopia

Unisa recently held a momentous graduation ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking the completion of studies for 69 students. The event, which saw the presence of high-level officials from Unisa, the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa, and the Ethiopian government, highlighted the institution's longstanding commitment to human capacity building in Ethiopia.

Among the 69 graduates, an impressive 58 students completed their doctoral degrees, underscoring the emphasis on research and knowledge generation. Unisa takes pride in nurturing the talents of these individuals, who will now contribute significantly to academia, research, and development in Ethiopia.

Professor Tassew Woldehanna, former President of Addis Ababa University

Over the years, Unisa has witnessed many graduates emerging from its Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre. To date, a total of 1,037 students have completed their studies, with 512 attaining doctoral degrees and 374 earning master's degrees. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of both the students and the professors at Unisa. Notably, a significant proportion of doctoral graduates are academics from public universities. Unisa's collaboration has been pivotal in supporting these scholars, reinforcing their research and teaching skills and contributing to Ethiopia's academic ecosystem.

The graduation ceremony was significant as it coincided with Unisa's 150th founding anniversary. This milestone further highlighted the university's enduring commitment to providing quality education and fostering partnerships across borders. In a demonstration of their continued dedication, Unisa and the Ethiopian government have renewed their memorandum of agreement for an additional five years. Looking ahead, Unisa envisions its Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre becoming a hub for the Eastern Africa region, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange and advancing academic excellence.

Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and VC of Unisa

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, expressed her pride and satisfaction in witnessing the accomplishments of the graduating students. She emphasised Unisa's commitment to empowering individuals and nations through education and the university's dedication to working hand in hand with Ethiopia to create a brighter future.

Professor Tassew Woldehanna, former President (Vice-Chancellor) of Addis Ababa University and the Keynote Speaker at the ceremony, commended Unisa for its pivotal role in capacity building. He expressed gratitude for the invaluable contributions made by Unisa in advancing education and research in Ethiopia. He highlighted these efforts' positive impact on the nation's development trajectory.

As Unisa's operations continue to flourish in Ethiopia, the university remains steadfast in its commitment to academic excellence, research, and human capacity building. With the renewal of the memorandum of agreement, Unisa is poised to strengthen its ties with Ethiopia further and consolidate its position as a regional hub for education and research in Eastern Africa.

*By MM Tefera and FA Geda, Unisa Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre