Student Exchange Projects

Project Title: Enhancing the Quality of Science and Mathematics Education in Ethiopia and South Sudan (BDU-NORHED II)

BDU Project Team Members: Dawit A. Getahun, Dereje T. Wondem, Mulugeta A. Gugssa, Ahmed Y. Ahmed

Project Duration: 2021 – 2027

Overview 

The overarching goal of this project is enhancing the capacity of teachers and teacher educators to improve the quality of science and mathematics teaching and learning in Ethiopia and South Sudan. The project is a six-year institutional partnership among Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Bahir Dar University (BDU), and the University of Juba (UJ). It intends to primarily develop the capacity of teacher educators at BDU and UJ, as well as at Colleges of Teacher Education (CTEs) in Ethiopia and Teacher Training Institutes (in South Sudan). 

The project interventions can broadly be categorized as program development, research and dissemination, and institutional capacity development. The program development aspect will launch new PhD programs in Science and Mathematics education; revise existing MED programs to expand the scope of the programs for accommodating the training of experts in science and mathematics education; and develop training programs to teacher educators and school teachers. 

The institutional capacity development component comprises establishing a research and training center at BDU and strengthening the STEM centers both at BDU and UJ. In the research and dissemination aspect, joint research projects, postdoc (research fellowships) and international conferences are planned. Outputs from these research efforts will be published in reputable journals and conference proceedings.

         Overview 

Bahir Dar University is on a transformative journey to become one of Africa's leading research universities by 2025. This vision is supported by a restructuring of its work processes to enhance its core missions: teaching, research, and outreach. A significant focus is placed on expanding graduate programs to foster research-oriented education, aligning with the university's goals of promoting problem-solving research that contributes to national development. In an increasingly competitive environment for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Bahir Dar University recognizes the necessity of adapting to both internal and external demands. One key recommendation from higher education researchers is the internationalization of education. In this context, BDU aims to elevate its status as a prominent research university through a diversified academic portfolio, an inclusive student body, and increased funding for teaching and research initiatives.

A pivotal aspect of BDU's internationalization efforts was the MoSHER project, launched in collaboration with the government of Republic of Sudan. Initiated in August 2017, the MoSHER project aimed to educate 20 master's and 8 PhD students, training in Educational Planning and Management for master's candidates and Educational Policy and Leadership for PhD students. The MoSHER project exemplifies BDU's broader strategy to internationalize its academic offerings and enhance its research capabilities, contributing significantly to its goal of becoming a premier research institution in Africa. This initiative not only underscores BDU’s commitment to international partnerships but also highlights its engagement with students from various African nations, including Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia.

Through the MoSHER project, BDU has successfully enrolled approximately 30 students in both master's and PhD programs. The project is financed by the African Development Bank and is a testament to BDU's strategic partnerships with Western and African universities. The university's faculty members actively participate in teaching, research supervision, and project coordination, ensuring a high-quality educational experience. Besides, external staffs from UOG, AAU, and Adama University were enthusiastically involved in teaching, research supervision. 

The master's program spanned two years, while the PhD program lasted four years. All students involved in the MoSHER project have successfully graduated: 20 master's cohort students graduated in July 2019 and 8 PhD candidates graduated in September 2021. Apart from abundant achievements in their MA and PhD education, the MoSHER project significantly contributed to the development of diplomatic relationships for the nation, region, and university. The project was exemplary for BDU and a cornerstone for other educational service provisions. This success not only reflects the effectiveness of the MoSHER initiative but also reinforces BDU's mission to prepare graduates who are equipped to tackle contemporary educational challenges.