As Brazil’s Ministry of Education unveils a landmark R$ 47.4 million postgraduate scholarship program for African students, Ethiopia’s Jimma University has emerged as a key participant at the 1st Brazil-Africa Rectors Forum, using the global stage to spotlight its flagship community-based education (CBE) model.
The three-days forum, held at the Brazil International Convention Center (CICB) in Brasília, saw the official announcement of the Capes Move Africa program, which will create 2,600 scholarships for African master’s and doctoral students to study in Brazil for up to ten months. The initiative, attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aims to deepen academic ties between Brazil and the African continent.
According to President Lula, the event is an opportunity to strengthen and expand university cooperation between Brazil and Africa, as well as to recognize the continent’s central role in the world. “The Capes Move Africa program will create 2,600 scholarships for African master’s and doctoral students to study in Brazil for up to ten months. Strengthening undergraduate and graduate student exchange programs will also be essential to consolidate higher education as one of the pillars of the strategic partnership between Brazil and Africa. The advancement of digital technologies allows us to expand our cooperation in a faster, more flexible and economical way,” stated the president.
Among the 64 African rectors from over 30 countries, Jimma University stands out as one of four Ethiopian higher education institutions participating in the event, alongside Ambo University, Hawassa University, and Adama Science and Technology University. Jimma’s delegation is led by its President, Dr. Jemal Abafita, who is scheduled to present a seminar titled “Jimma University: A Beacon of Community-Based Education and Global Collaboration.” The collaboration will focus on four strategic areas: Agriculture , health, technology, and artificial intelligence. These partnerships aim to facilitate joint research, faculty and student exchange, curriculum development, and co-supervision of postgraduate students under the new Capes Move Africa program. Jimma University seeks to leverage Brazil’s expertise in tropical agriculture 9, food systens, and public health among others, while contributing its own experience in community-based education and AI-driven solutions for rural development.
The forum, which runs through May 27, also featured remarks from Brazil’s Minister of Education, Foreign Affairs, and Racial Equality, as well as the Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities, Olusola Bamidele Oyewole.
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