World Vision donates books to 10 universities in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is currently engaged in a massive expansion of higher education system to contribute to its national strategy for economic growth and poverty reduction. New degree courses are being introduced in response to anticipated labour market needs that underpin the nation’s economic development strategy and to prepare its citizens for democratic participation in civic and social affairs. Graduate programme enrolments are expanding rapidly in the effort to increase the supply of academic staff for the expanding system.
Despite establishing more than a dozen new institutions and upgrading small colleges to a university level, the higher education is challenged by very limited academic and research capabilities, as fast expansion and quality in least developed countries like Ethiopia are often in constant counter-play.
One of the challenges in the newly established universities was the shortage of books and reference materials.
To mitigate the problem, World Vision Ethiopia on May 2, 2012 handed over 7,503 books on various fields of studies to Ethiopia's Ministry of Education to be distributed to 10 newly established Universities in the country. The books worth US $50,275.30 were donated by World Vision Australia.
"World Vision is a child focused organization and donating the books in support of education to ensure that sustained well-being of children is attained through quality education and life skills," said World Vision Ethiopia Interim National Director Dickens Thunde.
Ethiopia's State Minister of Education Dr. Kaba Urgessa said that the books donated by World Vision would address the shortage of reference materials in the new universities.
"Ministry of Education greatly values World Vision's focus on children and their education," added Dr. Kaba .
World Vision Ethiopia has been supporting primary and secondary education by building schools, equipping them and various many ways since its inception, but the donation of the books to the universities is the first significant WV support to higher education in Ethiopia.