Haramaya University Researchers Partake in ETH4D Faculty Exchange at ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Two researchers from Haramaya University (HU), namely Dr Jemal Y. Hassen and Dr Muluken G. Wordofa, participate in ETH4D Faculty Exchange at ETH Zürich (Switzerland) from 27 Oct 2025 to 10 Nov 2025 through ETH4D Visiting Scientist Grant. It is to be recalled that the partnership between ETH Zürich and Haramaya University started when Haramaya University hosted Prof. Dr. Johanna Jacobi from the Department of Environmental Systems Science D-USYS, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, from April 29 to May 4, 2024. The visit of Prof. Johanna, Professor of Agroecological Transitions, was aimed at strengthening partnership and collaboration in agroecology education, training and research between ETH Zürich and Haramaya University. Prof. Johanna’s visit to Haramaya University resulted in the preparation and submission of a joint research proposal to ETH4D pilot grant. Since the proposal was accepted for funding, Haramaya University signed a project collaboration agreement with ETH Zürich for the pilot project “Women’s Empowerment and Agroecology” sponsored by ETH for Development (ETH4D). The project spans from 01.10.2024 to 01.09.2025.
In addition to research collaboration related to women’s empowerment and agroecology, the project involved exchange of two graduate students between the institutions, and participation of researchers from HU in the ETH4D Research Challenge Seminar in Switzerland. In order to further strengthen our partnership, and share the pilot project implementation progress and results, we intend to participate in a short research stay and conference at ETH Zürich. The following are the key objectives our application for ETH4D Faculty Exchange: Visiting Scientist Grants.
As part of the faculty exchange program, the HU delegation attended Food Day 2025 at ETH Zürich on 29 Oct 2025. This year’s theme, Planting Healthier Nutrition, showcased the latest food system research and sparked dialogue on pressing issues. With co-creation at its core, Food Day brought together science, industry, and policy through workshops, expert sessions, and a taste of cooking.
The Food Day Workshops in the morning session covered diverse food system topics, including Planetary Plates: Everyday Cooking for a Better Future; The Longevity Equation: Food, Science & the Future of Health; Cocoa Collaboration: Navigating Sustainability’s Challenges; and Spannungsfeld nachhaltger Pflanzenschultz.
There was a networking lunch for participants, speakers, and experts. The afternoon plenary features pioneering research from ETH Zurich and a keynote by Prof. Frank Ewert on how Living Labs accelerate a resilient food future. Afterwards, enjoy a coffee break and Networking Poster Session presenting innovative projects. The day ends with a special Cook the Science – Food Day Edition, led by Prof. Thomas Michaels, chef Michaela Frank, and Prof. Patrick Rühs, exploring the science of plant protein processing and cooking. We also presented the results of our ETH4D pilot grant project “Women’s Empowerment and Agroecology”.
The HU delegation also made a farm visit to Biel on 30 Oct 2025. This coincided with the last day of agroecology event. The team also participated and actively contributed to ‘political ecology of food and agriculture’ course on 31 Oct 2025.
On Sunday, 2 Nov 2025, the HU team visited the Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein.
Project discussions were held on Monday, 3 Nov 2025, and on Wednesday, 5 Nov 2025. Among others, the HU team discussed concrete plans to respond to EU calls for proposals, including Erasmus+ CBHE, Horizon Europe, Intra-Africa Academic Mobility, jointly with ETH Zurich and its partners. The team also had a strategic meeting with Prof. Johanna on how to respond to the SNIS Call for Projects 2026 ‘Rethinking Multilateralism’. In the afternoon, the HU team participated in a seminar on Gender inequality in Swiss agriculture- what is the role of agricultural education? The HU’s team visit to ETH Zurich coincided with the ETH4D General Assembly 2025 held on 7th Nov 2025. This created an important platform for the team to interact with the ETH4D leadership, its members, and network with participants to further solidify HU’s engagement with Swiss higher education and research institutions. The team completed its mission and returned to Ethiopia on 10th Nov 2025.
Tags: academic collaboration, ETH Zürich, ETH4D, Faculty Exchange, Global Research, Haramaya University, higher education, International Exchange, Research Partnership, Switzerland, university cooperation