MOPEDE Ethiopia

Over 50 representatives from partners and cooperatives in Ethiopia and Finland attended the event. Experts from Finnish partner universities JAMK and Centria, Federal TVET Institute and its Satellite colleges, Federal TVET Agency, Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE), and Addis Ababa University (AAU) were present, including guests from other collaborating and stakeholder organizations.

In the opening words Mr. Teshale Berecha, Director General of FTI, highlighted the importance of capacity building for distance work and education within digital tools and platforms. We need to challenge ourselves frequently for finding accessible ways to work, teach and study. 

Despite the challenging Covid -situation, partners were committed to the project with innovative and optional ways using the digital tools and communication channels for cooperation. 

During the Inception phase key experts were organized in four sub teams following the project outputs. Each subteam created shared understanding of the aims, needs and objectives and complited the activities and project plan for next three years. The base line analysis for e-learning service portfolio, current situation of ICT related facilities and pedagogical competences was one of the key activities done in the first months of the project. This gave the guidelines for project monitoring and indicators to follow the progress during the project. Inception phase duties required over 30 meetings and two workshops online among partners. Despite the challenging situation over 50 employees of FTI and its satellite colleges joined the e-learning workshop in November. This was a meaningful event for all of us. All the work done in 3-4 months created shared understanding of the project aim and objectives, described the roles and responsibilities and most of all built up team spirit among the key experts and partners.

In the elearning workshop we discussed how the student can access the learning content and communicate with peers and teacher. These were current issues also to solve for cooperative project work in the Inception phase. Author: Pauliina Silvennoinen

The results of the Baseline Research show that the attitudes towards e-learning are positive and 71 % of the answerers were very interested in developing their e-learning skills, as a teacher. Support for accessing and using technology and different e-learning tools is needed, and skill gaps, internet infrastructure and internet connections may be the biggest barriers when the teachers are trying to take advantage of e-learning.

Respondents also stated that inclusion can be promoted by e-learning technology designing it in user friendly way. The Baseline Research is a fruitful way to start the development activities in Ethiopia. The summary is written by Anne Harmoinen, Centria.

Project board: 

Chair of the Board: Director Teshale Berecha  
Ethiopian Technical University (ETU) 

Mr. Haftom Gebregziabher,
Deputy Director General Academics, Ethiopian Technical University (ETU) 

Mr. Eniyew Getinet,
Deputy Director General Research and Community Engagement, Ethiopian Technical University (ETU)  

Mr. Habtamu Kibret,
Deputy Director General (FTA)

Dr. Yishak Degefu,
Faculty Dean Vocational Pedagogy, Ethiopian Technical University (ETU) 

Mr. Matiyas Teshome,
Director ICT Directorate, Ethiopian Technical University (ETU) 

Mrs. Pauliina Silvennoinen,
Project Manager (Jamk) 

Dr. Hannele Torvinen,
Head of Department, Vice Director of the School of Professional Teacher Education (Jamk) 

Dr. Pekka Makkonen,
Principal Lecturer (Centria)