The Haramaya University College of Law- together with the Northwestern University Pritzker  School of Law in Chicago, USA- won a “U.S.–Ethiopian University Linkages Seed Grant Competition” through the US Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Grants program. The purpose of funding the project is to provide Ethiopian and American universities an opportunity to create new, innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships between two higher education institutions. The project created by the HU College of Law is titled: “Enhancing Practical Legal Education Innovations through Improved Experiential Learning Opportunities.” The idea is to help strengthen the COL’s existing practical learning programs- clinical legal education, appellate advocacy, moot court competitions, mock trial, simulation courses, etc.- by partnering with a world leader in the field, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. The grant will be used to fund international travel for HU College of Law staff to spend time in the US working together with Northwestern staff on curriculum development, clinical education, academic staff trainings, and the development of a long-term partnership to include joint advanced degree and sandwich programs, as well as student and staff exchange, amongst other planned program activities. It will also bring Northwestern University staff to Haramaya to provide assistance with curriculum development, short term trainings, classroom instruction, and follow up on the progress of the COL’s seed grant programmatic activities.Founded in 1859, the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law was the first law school established in the city of Chicago. The Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Bluhm Legal Clinic, founded in 1910, has more than 20 clinics within 14 centers. Through Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s clinical program, students develop strong litigation, negotiation, and transactional skills in their direct representation of clients and fine-tune their skills as advocates. The Bluhm Legal Clinic is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive and effective clinical programs in the United States.