Ethiopia: U.S. Embassy and Ethiopian Academy of Sciences Host Workshop for Ethiopian Universities

11 December 2025
United States Embassy (Addis Ababa)

Addis Ababa, December 11, 2025: The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, in partnership with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) and with support from the U.S. Department of State's Fulbright Specialist Program, hosted a three-day workshop on "Endowment Fund Management and Alumni Engagement" from December 3-5, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel. The event convened leaders from Ethiopia's ten first-generation research universities to share practical strategies for building sustainable alumni giving programs and endowment funds--key pillars supporting Ethiopia's higher education institutions.

Fulbright Specialists Dr. Ty Ropp, Vice President of Development at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, and Dr. Walter McCollum, President and Chair of the Fulbright Association, led sessions on the intersection of endowment development and alumni relations to foster sustainable university growth.

The workshop offered expert guidance on alumni communication strategies, donor stewardship and recognition, alumni giving programs, university fundraising and endowments, and endowment management. Participants engaged in interactive fireside chats, design thinking exercises to develop tailored alumni giving programs, and discussions on endowment policy frameworks for Ethiopian universities.

Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn

Jonathan Koehler, Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy, and EAS President Professor Belay Kassa delivered opening remarks emphasizing the importance of alumni engagement in advancing the public interest in Ethiopia's higher education institutions. "This collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing Ethiopia's higher education sector and building on seven decades of U.S.-Ethiopian partnership in higher education," Koehler said.

Over three days, attendees networked, shared case studies on endowment policy development, and applied design thinking in breakout sessions to craft actionable alumni programs for their institutions.

The "Endowment Fund Management and Alumni Engagement" workshop is part of a three-year U.S. initiative supporting the Ethiopian Ministry of Education's transition of public universities to autonomous governance. By promoting U.S. excellence in higher education, the U.S. Embassy and its partners are helping to build a self-sufficient and resilient higher education sector in Ethiopia. These efforts strengthen Ethiopia's institutional and research capacity, enhance commercial competitiveness, and support the development of a skilled workforce--crucial steps in helping Ethiopia become a stronger economic and trading partner for the United States.

To learn more about the #Ethiopia_US Enduring Partnership visit: U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and follow U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa Facebook, X and Instagram.

###

Read the original article on U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2025 United States Embassy. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.