Jimma University, Ethiopia, hosted the Global Opportunity Initiative (GOI) 2024 program from June 4-9, 2024. GOI is a cohort-based faculty development program organized by the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
Jimma University President, Dr. Jemal Abafita, warmly welcomed the GOI team and expressed his appreciation for selecting Jimma University as a partner in Ethiopia. He reiterated Jimma University’s commitment to strengthening the partnership for the mutual benefits of the two institutions.
The program aimed to establish systems thinking, identify challenges and opportunities, and explore new collaborations between Jimma University faculty and the GOI fellows, particularly in the areas of agriculture, veterinary science, education, and health.
Jimma University’s Community-Based Education (CBE) philosophy and experience were also shared with the GOI fellows, who were impressed by the efforts and the university’s motto “We are in the community.”
The team also visited Jimma University’s agricultural research outputs and technologies, including dairy cattle breed improvement, forage development, apple farming, organic fertilizer production, and potato storage solutions implemented in the university’s technology villages.
Additionally, the team visited selected schools in the city and held discussions with school directors and representatives. 
This underscored the potential for a fruitful and strengthened partnership between the two institutions.
We are in the Community!
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