The Consortium of Ethiopian Public Universities (CEPU) conducted an international conference on Triangular Partnership for Quality Medical Education, GERD’s Lifespan Matters, and Rehabilitation of Victims of War /Violence in Ethiopia, at Inter Luxury Hotel, Addis Ababa on the 5th of April 2023.
CEPU held the conference in collaboration with the FDRE Ministry of Health and People to People (P2P) in attendance of government officials, universities’ presidents, the U.S. based People to People (a.k.a. P2P) founders and different stakeholders’ representatives.
Proffessor Tassew Woldehanna, the President for both CEPU and Addis Ababa University (AAU), in his opening speech stated that the accreditation of medical schools in Ethiopia should serve purposes related to addressing the needs of the society, coping with the ever increasing amount of medical knowledge of the 21st century, the wide and innovative use of technology and the ever changing needs of health-care delivery systems both locally and internationally.
Prof. Tassew further said that since CEPU is an umbrella organization representing all 48 Public Universities found in Ethiopia, it should play a pivotal role as to get involved in the selected watershed management as a community engagement of the Abay River Basin to improve the sustainability and good life expectancy of the GERD.
Her Excellency Dr. Lia Tadesse, Minister of Health; Professor Tassew Woldehanna; Professor Enawgaw Mehari, founder and president of P2P; signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that intended to enable AAU’s Testing Center to administer Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
As stated during the signing, the MoU allows the Testing Center to issue internationally recognized certification for medical graduates which helps them get permission to work in health institutions in the U.S. Medical graduates who have the aspiration to take the Test had been forced to travel to Kenya and other foreign countries until recently, the information added.
Belay Hagos (PhD), Director of the Center, said, “The AAU’s Testing Center through its long years’ experience is equipped with all the necessary facilities-human and material resources to host ECFMG.” The Center is supposed to start the ECFMG administration from next year.
Dr. Lia Tadesse extended her gratitude to P2P’s team for the effort that they have continuously made in supporting Ethiopian development endeavors through their engagements in a number of projects.
Presentations followed by panel discussions were held on topics that cover accreditation of medical schools and programs, efforts to rehabilitate war victims, and issues of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD’s) lifespan
The panel discussions were facilitated on several topics including accreditation of medical schools, establishment of hematology/oncology fellowships, the ECFMG, triangular partnership, and victims of war-success stories on rehabilitation. The discussants in all the sessions have expressed their commitment to work together and improve the conditions in the areas discussed.
Finally, H.E. Dr. Eng. Sileshi Bekele, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the U.S. made an inspiring presentation virtually on the GERD’s lifespan. The Ambassador forwarded detailed description of GERD’s current status of overall engineering works and the activities that would be possible beyond the hydroelectric power generation.
The conference came to an end with reflections and closing remarks deliberated by Zewdu Terefework (PhD), a volunteer P2P’s country representative.
Report: CEPU Secretariat
Photo: Andualem Aseffa
Editor: Abraham Giramy