In a historic week for African-Brazilian academic cooperation, Jimma University (JU) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with multiple Brazilian universities during the first Brazil-Africa Rectors’ Forum in Brasília. The summit, organized by Brazil’s Ministry of Education (MEC), was opened by His Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who reaffirmed Brazil’s “historic commitment” to Africa, bringing together 70 Brazilian rectors and leaders from 64 African universities. 
The MoU was formally signed by Jimma University President Dr. Jemal Abafita alongside the rectors of the partnering Brazilian institutions. The agreement establishes a broad framework for international collaboration, including staff and student exchange, joint research, and joint project applications across strategic areas: agriculture, medicine, humanities, technology and AI, and energy.
A highlight of the partnership was Jimma University’s presentation of its pioneering Community-Based Education (CBE) philosophy, which integrates training, research, and community service. The Brazilian institutions expressed strong interest in adopting the CBE model. Jimma also exhibited its achievements in research, education, and community-based activities.
The MoU was signed with nine Brazilian institutions: Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), University of Southern and Southeastern Pará (UNIFESSPA), Universidade do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), and the Tropical Medicine Institute (IMT-RN). A Joint Steering Committee will oversee implementation.
President Lula, in his opening remarks, emphasized that “education is the strongest bridge between Brazil and Africa.” With Jimma University now at the forefront of this bridge through both the summit and the signed MoU the partnership is expected to open new avenues for research funding, faculty development, and student mobility, positioning Ethiopian and Brazilian institutions as leaders in global academic cooperation.
We are in the community!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimmaUniv/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JimmaUniv
Telegram: https://t.me/JimmaUniversityOfficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/jimma-university/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmaUniversityOfficial
E-mail: ero@ju.edu.et