Addis Ababa University (AAU) and University of Kentucky (UK) discussed cooperative agreement on different areas of interest at the Office of Academic Vice President of AAU on 11 February 2020.

Points like student and staff exchanges, research cooperation, PhD advising, various short-term trainings and sharing of external examiners were the focus areas of cooperation in the bilateral discussion. They also agreed to sign MoU in the near future after choosing mutual areas of interest through gradual discussions.

Emebet Mulugeta (PhD), Academic Vice President of AAU highlighted during the discussion that AAU is currently working on the focus of internationalization, research and graduate programs. “So this discussion can be a base to explore further areas and scale up our collaboration with the University of Kentucky,” Dr. Emebet underlined.

Susan M. Roberts (PhD), Associate Provost for Internationalization of UK, on her part said that University of Kentucky is a public University with strong focus of research, undergraduate and graduate programs. “We are searching to collaborate on leading areas with interested colleges and departments of AAU by creating a platform with our University. AAU has very similar priority with UK to build up research, gender issues and strengthening graduate programs,” she added.

AAU Department of Statics and University of Kentucky have a longstanding MoU signed in 2012. The current discussion between the two universities intends to broaden the cooperation areas with different colleges, faculties and departments.

Deans and department heads of different colleges of AAU reflected their ideas and interest on the joint session to work together with UK.

The University of Kentucky (UK) is a public university based in the city of Lexington,  the Commonwealth of Kentucky State, located in the Southern United States,  founded in 1865.

By: Tsion Aysheshim

Photograph: Fikremariam Beyene