News

Bridging Policy and Practice in Ethiopia’s Higher Education Sector

Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening science, technology, and innovation (STI) came into sharp focus during the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) High-Level Policy Dialogue held on 26 June 2025 at Haile Hotels and Resorts in Addis Ababa. The dialogue, themed “Bridging Policy and Practice: A Strategic Approach for Higher Education and Skills Development in Ethiopia,” brought together over 40 stakeholders from academia, research institutions, government ministries, international partners, and the private sector.

Organized by icipe (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology) and the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), the event aimed to generate actionable recommendations to reform and elevate Ethiopia’s higher education and research ecosystem.

The event forms part of a broader initiative anchored on a multi-country study examining doctoral and postdoctoral training in Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The Ethiopia country report revealed deep systemic challenges in doctoral education: high dropout rates (51%), limited infrastructure, underfunding, and persistent gender disparities.

Opening Reflections: Investing in Human Capital

Dr. Nicholas Odongo, Deputy Head of the STIKS Programme at ACTS, opened the session by highlighting the urgency of bridging the gap between academic research and practical policy implementation.

Dr. Everlyn Nguku, Head of Capacity Building and Institutional Development at icipe, underscored Ethiopia’s position as a key player in the Rsif ecosystem.

“To date, Rsif has awarded 302 PhD scholarships, including 11 Ethiopian scholars, whose studies are supported through funding provided by other African governments. 54 scholars have since graduated and in our midst today we have 2 Ethiopian Rsif Alumni Drs, Fenet Belay – Jimma University and Haftu Mengesha – Mekelle University. Here in Ethiopia, Haramaya University is among the designated Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs). It currently hosts 8 Rsif scholars, with a ninth scholar expected to report later this year. This reflects Ethiopia’s leadership and early investment in science capacity building and as a founding member of PASET.

Ethiopia’s Knowledge Economy Imperative

In his keynote address, H.E. Dr. Bayissa Badada, State Minister for Research and Innovation at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT), declared the transformation of higher education “a national imperative.”

“To meet the aspirations of our people and align with our national development framework, we must transition from a resource-based model to one rooted in knowledge, creativity, and innovation,” said Dr. Bayissa. “Our universities must become dynamic ecosystems for knowledge creation, innovation, and research.”

He emphasized the establishment of innovation clusters, technology incubation centers, and a coherent policy framework that aligns with the STI Policy 2035. Dr. Bayissa also announced the rollout of Ethiopia’s National Research Foundation to coordinate the country’s research and innovation landscape.

Pathways to Strengthen PhD Training and Postgraduate Impact

Dr. Agnes Lutomiah, Head of Programme at ACTS, presented the Ethiopian country findings from the multi-country study on doctoral education. The study uncovered critical systemic gaps including supervisor-student mismatches, inadequate postdoctoral opportunities, poor research infrastructure, lack of industry-academia linkages, and significant gender disparities.

“Over 50% of PhD students drop out. Challenges range from poor supervision and mental health issues to underfunding and limited career support,” Dr. Lutomiah noted.

She called for gender-responsive scholarship schemes, child-friendly support systems in universities, and more flexible academic pathways to improve retention and completion rates.

High-Level Panel Discussion

A key highlight of the dialogue was a high-level panel discussion chaired by Prof. Solomon Belay Tessema, Innovation Advisor to the Minister and Senior Researcher at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology The session brought together leading voices from academia and policy including H.E. Ato Kora Tushune, State Minister for Higher Education; Prof. Teketel Yohannes of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences; Prof. Kassahun Tesfaye from the Bio and Emerging Technology Institute; Prof. Nigussie Dechassa of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research; and Dr. Fenet Belay, an Rsif Alumna and Assistant Professor at Jimma University.

Panelists explored critical institutional bottlenecks and proposed practical solutions for strengthening Ethiopia’s doctoral training ecosystem. Key themes highlighted included the importance of improving supervision quality, creating inclusive pathways for women and marginalized groups, and aligning research agendas with Ethiopia’s socio-economic development goals.

In his remarks, Ato Kora Tushune emphasized the need for a holistic and inclusive approach: “Transformation must be inclusive. We must ensure that no talent is left behind in our national journey towards a knowledge-based economy.” This sentiment echoed throughout the panel, underscoring the urgency of addressing systemic inequities and unlocking the full potential of Ethiopia’s youth and research community.

Key Recommendations

The discussions culminated in a strong set of recommendations aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s doctoral education and research landscape.  of the founding PASET member countries. Additional recommendations included the establishment of a national research fund with full scholarship coverage; development of a national framework for postdoctoral training; transparent and accountable supervision systems; and the fostering of innovation hubs in collaboration with the private sector. The dialogue also urged the adoption of gender-equity mechanisms such as mentorship programs, flexible scheduling, and institutional childcare support. In alignment with Ethiopia’s STI Policy 2035, participants called for doctoral research to be more demand-driven, interdisciplinary, and responsive to national priorities.

Haramaya University, a key Rsif African Host University (AHU), was well represented at the event, led by Dr. Bobe Bedadi, Deputy Center Leader and Training and Research Head of the Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation. The delegation reinforced the institution’s commitment to doctoral education reform and regional collaboration. In his closing remarks, Dr. Tesfaye Lemma, Acting President of Wollega University and former Rsif Coordinator at Haramaya, offered a passionate call to action: “Universities must not just produce knowledge—they must lead the transformation. The recommendations from this dialogue should not remain on paper. They must shape action.”

A Strategic Turning Point

The policy dialogue concluded with a collective call for bold reform. These included increased government investment in academic salaries and infrastructure, stronger regional collaboration through Pan-African frameworks like Rsif, greater inclusion of youth and women in science, and structured pathways for the commercialization of research.

“This dialogue is not just about systems. It’s about people,” concluded Dr. Nguku. “Let us commit to building education and research systems that reflect the brilliance within Ethiopia’s people—not just for national transformation, but for Africa’s collective future.”

About Rsif

The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) is Africa’s first pan-African science fund, supporting doctoral training and research in applied sciences, engineering, and technology. With icipe as its Regional Coordination Unit and backed by African governments and global partners, Rsif plays a pivotal role in building the continent’s STI capacity. Ethiopia, as a founding member, continues to be a strategic partner and key beneficiary of this transformative initiative.