JU educates leaders in Ethiopia
In a new SIDA project Jönköping University, in collaboration with Addis Ababa University and Ethiopian civil society, will develop and implement a new leadership programme. “It is absolutely fantastic that we have received this project. It shows acknowledgement of a new way of thinking when it comes to assisting and driving important development questions”, says project leader Peter Hugoson.
The curruculum developent group, with representatives from JU and AAU.
For several years Jönköping International Business School has been involved in masters’ and research education in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Building on this experience, the School of Education and Communication at Jönköping University have received a new five-year SIDA project in Ethiopia. The project has participants from Jönköping International Business School, School of Engineering and School of Education and Communication. Project responsibility lies at the School of Education and Communication.
The purpose is to create a platform for an exchange of experience between Addis Ababa University and civil society. Based on the leadership programme, new customized courses will be created, which will be of benefit based on expressed needs and priorities from Ethiopian civil society.
“It is very stimulating to have been given this project, which fits well with our ambition to contribute our knowledge internationally”, says Stephan Rapp, dean School of Education and Communication.
The project was initiated by Lars Hartvigson at Jönköping International Business School. He was also responsible for the preliminary study which led to the project being implemented.
“I am glad that the project is being launched. The project idea was introduced seven years ago and has since been formed based on interviews with a number of civil society organizations”, says Lars Hartvigson.
The project will be led by Peter Hugoson at the School of Engineering.
“The project is a challenge because it is both about developing a leadership programme together, while at the same time the leadership programme itself will generate new courses for the benefit of civil society. This must also be done taking into account the country's overall sensitive situation and culture”, says Peter Hugosson.
A number of workshops with participants from Jönköping University and civil society have already been held in Ethiopia. The plan is for the leadership programme to start on October 1, 2017, and on 21 June, a formal opening ceremony will be held in Addis Ababa with participants from the Ethiopian Government, SIDA, Addis Ababa University, Jönköping University and representatives from civil society.
