Stardom University, an American educational institution, has launched a digital higher learning model in Ethiopia, aiming to create opportunities for students to learn beyond traditional campus-based education.
The university late Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with five local higher learning institutions in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to provide online higher education programs through a flexible digital learning platform.
The university, which has an institutional presence and activities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Türkiye and Egypt offers education in business administration, artificial intelligence, cyber security, computer science, law, media and electronic publishing, languages and Islamic studies.
Local higher learning institutions namely Jigjiga University, Werabe University, Unity University, Imamu Al Shafi University and New Generation University College signed the MoUs, agreeing to cooperate on developing academic programs, expanding digital education and scientific researches and building institutional capacity among others.
Based on the agreements, students of the local universities would attend the online education via virtual classrooms, meetings, live lectures and real-time interaction. Speaking at the event, Mohamed Obeid, Chief Executive Officer of Stardom University, said his university places emphasis on applied and multidisciplinary research and intends to connect academic knowledge with sustainable development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He said that the university is committed to working with Ethiopian institutions as a supportive academic partner, through expanding research cooperation, increasing opportunities for students and researchers within a framework of mutual respect and compliance with applicable regulations. The university is also set to cooperate with Ethiopia’s Institute of Foreign Affairs on development of Arabic language and provision of specialized training programs for diplomats and foreign affairs professionals.
Towfik Jemal, president of Werabe University, one of the signatories of local learning institutions, said the partnership will mainly focus on promoting digital education and artificial intelligence across the five universities while also conducting joint research and sharing experiences among researchers and experts.
MG/abj/APA