Ethiopia, Austria agree to cooperate on higher education, research

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

January 4,2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia and Austria here on Thursday have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would enable them to work in collaboration on higher education, science and research sectors.

The MoU will enable scholars in higher learning institutions of the countries to share experience and conduct research.

Education Minister, Sintayehu Woldemicheal, and Austrian Science and Research Minister, Johannes Hahn, signed the MoU.

Holding discussions with Austrian Science and Research Minister, at his office on Thursday, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi appealed to the Austrian government to support Ethiopia’s efforts in improving the expansion and quality higher learning across the country.

Ethiopia indeed requires the assistance of the Austrian government in improving both the access and quality of higher education, Meles said, adding Ethiopia is also keen to bolster bilateral cooperation with Austria in the medical science as well as in technical and vocational training schemes.

Following the discussions, Hahn reaffirmed to Meles that the Austrian government will be providing the necessary technical and material assistances to Ethiopia toward improving the expansion and quality of higher learning.

Hahn and Meles also confer on ways as to how to launch a pilot project aimed at improving quality of higher education in one of the higher learning institutions here in Ethiopia.

Austria is desirous to share its rich experience to Ethiopia on the development of the tourism industry and on preserving national museums, the minister noted.

The high-level Austrian delegation arrived in Addis Ababa on Thursday to pay a three-day working visit to Ethiopia.

(ST)