BDU Holds 2nd Stakeholders’ Workshop on MSc in Agroforestry Curriculum Revision and Validation Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia – May 31, 2025 Bahir Dar University hosted the 2nd Stakeholders’ Platform Workshop on the MSc in Agroforestry Curriculum Revision and Validation.

The first stakeholder platform workshop of the project identified as ‘Establishing Transformative Learning, Research and Community Outreach and Capacities in Agro ecology (LINK)’ was held at Bahir Dar University. At the event, agricultural experts, the university academic staff and researchers, practitioners, representatives of the local community and other stakeholders have participated.

March 1, 2025 (Bahir Dar University) The first stakeholder platform workshop of the project identified as ‘Establishing Transformative Learning, Research and Community Outreach and Capacities in Agro ecology (LINK)’ was held at Bahir Dar University. At the event, agricultural experts, the university academic staff and researchers, practitioners, representatives of the local community and other stakeholders have participated. In his opening speech at the workshop, the Vice President for Research and Community Engagement, Bahir Dar University, Professor Enyew Adgo said that the fact that the project brings together teaching-learning on Agroforestry, problem-solving research and concerned communities makes it unique. He stressed that it is very essential to use this opportunity to practically use results of research out of this project to go beyond publications and solve actual problems of the community. He also said that in order to make the results of the research works of higher education institutions be used for development, research and practical works which are suitable according to the actual situation of the area should be carefully identified and implemented. Professor Enyew pointed out that the method of solving real social problems on the ground through research and projects is a method that should also be practiced in various academic units of the university. In his keynote speech, the consultant of the Land Bureau of the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), Dr. Belayneh Ayele, noted that it is very timely and important to expand the combination of agriculture and forestry in our country. For him, since the population in the country is increasing from time to time, it is necessary to increase the ecological conditions by planting more trees and paying attention to the expansion of forests. On the other hand, Dr. Belayneh explained that since depletion of forests is increasingly becoming the main reason for soil erosion, identifying tree saplings that are suitable for the environment and planting them on agricultural lands should be given prior attention to solve the problem. While explaining current status of the project, the project coordinator, Dr. Zerihun Yohannes, on his part stated that Bahir Dar University is implementing the project in collaboration with the University College for Agrarian and Environmental Science (HAUP), Austria and the project is mainly aimed at introducing agro ecological practices, green pedagogy and transformative learning and for that the key activities in the implementation are made to include the promotion of green pedagogy, participatory action research, MSc Agroforestry Curriculum Review and Participatory Module Design, Community Engagement Activities for Farmer Family Learning Groups and the construction of practical demonstration sites.

1st Stakeholders Platform Workshop of the LINK Project VENUE: Wisdom Tower, Bahir Dar University DATE: 1st of March 2025