Jimma University and University of Bern Sign MoU to Strengthen Research and Capacity Building

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Jimma University and the University of Bern (UB) in Switzerland have signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, formalized at the Bavarian Africa Office in Addis Ababa, aims to foster cooperative efforts in mental health, global health sciences, and capacity building, marking a pivotal moment in equitable scientific partnership.
The signing ceremony attracted a host of distinguished guests, including Mr. Petros Mulugeta, Bavarian Representative in Africa; Prof. Dr. Thomas Schulze, President-Elect of the World Psychiatry Association (WPA); and Prof. Kristina Adorjan from the University of Bern, alongside prominent faculty members and PhD students from Jimma University.
During the event, Mr. Mulugeta highlighted the importance of cross-continental partnerships in advancing equitable scientific progress. Dr. Teklu Tafese, Head of the Office of the President at Jimma University, emphasized the institution’s growing reputation both nationally and internationally, noting its official recognition by the Ethiopian government as a research-intensive university. He stated that collaborations are essential for enhancing research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
In a virtual address, Dr. Jemal Aba Fita, President of Jimma University, underscored the partnership’s symbolic and practical significance. He remarked that the MoU represents more than just signatures; it embodies a shared vision and purpose aimed at improving mental health and lives through knowledge and compassion. Drawing a parallel to Ethiopia’s rich coffee heritage, Dr. Jemal noted that just as coffee connects people globally, this collaboration fosters understanding and shared progress.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Schulze commended Jimma University’s research achievements and expressed optimism that it would become a collaborating center for the WPA, potentially making it the first such center in East Africa to bolster psychiatric research on the continent. Meanwhile, Prof. Adorjan outlined the University of Bern’s strategic areas and stressed the necessity of bridging global research disparities, pointing out that only four African universities from South Africa currently rank among the world’s top 500.
Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina presented the accomplishments of the Jimma University Clinical Trial Unit (JUCTU) and its aspirations to evolve into a Center of Excellence. He highlighted the center’s ongoing capacity-building initiatives, which include short-term training programs and support for PhD students in collaboration with partners from the Global North. Currently, JUCTU is mentoring over five PhD students linked with the Center for International Health at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (CIH-LMU), Germany.
This MoU between Jimma University and the University of Bern is poised to pave the way for impactful research collaborations, ultimately aiming to enhance mental health services and academic exchanges that empower African scientists.
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