The Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation (ACE Climate SABC) – Haramaya University, a regional hub, was well represented by a delegate consisting of the University president, Dr. Jemal Yousuf; the Center Leader, Prof. Mengistu Urge, the Center Deputy Leader, Dr. Bobe Bedadi, and the Project Manager, Dr. Mulugeta Damie at the auspicious 1 st African Centers of Excellence International Partnership Workshop held at the Intercontinental Hotel Resort in Mauritius from May 8-10, 2024, jointly organized by the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) and the Association of African Universities (AAU). The workshop was organized with the aim of leveraging strategic partnerships outlined in the AU-EU innovation agenda to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among African and international centers.

The workshop has provided the ACE Climate SABC – Haramaya team members an opportunity to share best practices and experiences with other Centers (both ACE- I and -II) in Africa, in the EU and the USA which can be taken up for the betterment of ACE Climate SABC – Haramaya University. Particularly, the Haramaya team members have made matching for ACE Climate SABC with Six (6) Centers in Five (5) universities and countries,
namely: CDA of Bayero University, Nigeria; TACE and Aquafish of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi; CCBAD of Felix Houphouet-Boigny University, Cote d’ivore; CERSA of University of Lome, Togo; and BioCSA of University of Mauritius, Mauritius that are engaged on similar activities for future collaborations.