Haramaya University Delegation Discusses with Switzerland Ambassador to Ethiopia

Haramaya University delegation, led by Dr Deribachew Bekana, had a discussion with Ambassador Tamara Mona, Switzerland Ambassador to Ethiopia during a lunch reception at her residence in Addis Ababa.

According to Dr Deribachew, Director of Research Affairs at HU, the discussion was centered around strengthening institutional relations between Haramaya University and research and development institutions in Switzerland. In particular, it was aimed at fostering education and research in agrifood systems development, agroecological transitions and agro-biodiversity and other potential areas of collaborations.

This meeting follows the ETH4D pilot grant project “women’s empowerment and agroecology”, implemented jointly by ETH Zurich and Haramaya University.

According to Dr Muluken Gezahegn Wordofa, Coordinator of the Project at HU, the pilot project will assess status of women’s empowerment, analyse the relationship between the 10 elements of agroecology with the Characterization of Agroecological Transition score, and evaluate the contribution of women’s empowerment to household food and nutrition security in two regional states of Ethiopia.

The meeting also acknowledged the successful research stay/exchange of Ms Seraina Wagner, MSc student at ETH Zurich, who came to HU for two months. It was also noted that HU had sent Ms Sisaynesh Nebe Mekonnen as an exchange student to ETH Zurich for six months.

The meeting with the Switzerland Ambassador to Ethiopia concluded with a strong commitment from both sides to continue and strengthen the partnerships.

Haramaya University Public & International Relations Directorate