Addis Ababa University
For many in Ethiopia, University is a distant dream.
The lack of access to Higher Education means that many students are forced to go abroad to study, an option only available to those with the means to pay. Furthermore, many of those who do go abroad do not return to Ethiopia due to the opportunities they are offered elsewhere.
As a result there is a severe shortage of highly trained people. Shockingly, at present there is only one physician for every 35,493 people in Ethiopia. It is vital that we increase the country's capacity to offer University level of study to prevent this devastating "brain drain" and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.
Ethiopiaid first started supporting the Addis Ababa University in 2000. Since then we have worked with them to install networked computer laboratories throughout the University. An important feature of this project is that specialist equipment was included to ensure that access is also possible for deaf and blind students.
By providing these facilities and making them accessible to all, the students at the Addis Ababa University have been connected to a wider world of education. They now have a wealth of learning material at their fingertips, including a multitude of international resources which encourages enterprise and fresh thinking.
All students benefit greatly from this facility, which will also be invaluable to those who enrol on the new research programs and PhD level qualifications the University is planning to offer.