The Methodology and Didactic Education for University of Applied Sciences (MaDE-for-UASs) National Resonance Group (NRG) convened a meeting on October 28, 2025, at Kiburan Marketing, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Welcoming the participants, Ato Eyosyas Woldemichael, the Resonance Group Facilitator, introduced the agenda and outlined the objectives of the session. Following the opening, Dr. Ephrem Tekle delivered a detailed presentation on the MaDE-for-UASs project, highlighting its goals, progress, and potential impact on Ethiopia’s higher education landscape. Dr. Ephrem emphasized that the project aims to equip teachers at Ethiopia’s universities of applied sciences with practical industry experience through the integration of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and simulation technologies, thus ensuring the production of graduates who are industry-ready.
After the presentation, industry representatives shared their experiences and perspectives on Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Simulation technologies in education and training. They emphasized a persistent gap between the knowledge and skills imparted in higher education institutions and the practical demands of industry. Many noted that employers are often compelled to retrain graduates to make them job-ready, as they lack the applied competencies required in the workplace.
One participant underscored that many universities graduates struggle to connect theoretical learning with real-world practice, let alone leveraging technology effectively. The participants agreed that MaDE-for-UASs represents a timely and strategic initiative to bridge this divide—serving as a platform for collaboration between universities of applied sciences and the industry to produce graduates who are truly “fit for purpose.”
They further stressed the importance of making informed and context-appropriate decisions when integrating VR, AR, and simulation tools into university education. Acquiring technologies suitable for the Ethiopian context, they noted, would ensure sustainable impact on graduates and their communities.
Participants also emphasized the need for higher education institutions to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among both students and faculty. Developing such a mindset is key to producing graduates capable of solving societal challenges and creating employment opportunities. Industry representatives, in turn, highlighted several challenges hindering progress in this area, including limited awareness of emerging technologies, indecisiveness in adoption, and restrictive policies and support mechanisms.
After extensive deliberations, the group reached a consensus to strengthen collaboration and take concrete steps forward. A draft charter outlining the objectives of the NRG, the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, and expected outcomes was presented for discussion. Participants provided constructive feedback, after which an MoU was signed, symbolizing their collective commitment to the project.
Industry representatives warmly welcomed the MaDE-for-UASs initiative and pledged active participation to ensure its successful implementation and long-term impact.
The meeting concluded with discussions on key issues to be addressed at the upcoming International Conference on “The Future for Creativity and Innovation in Higher Education in Ethiopia,” scheduled to take place on November 4–5, 2025, at Dire Dawa University.
The MaDE-for-UASs project is a collaborative initiative co-financed by the European Union and implemented by a consortium of ten institutions from Ethiopia, Germany, and Italy. The institutions are Kotebe University of Education, Dire Dawa University, Aksum University, Assosa University, St. Mary’s University, Federal TVT Institute, ThumbsUP Social Entrepreneurs PLC (all from Ethiopia), Technische Hochschule OWL and Hochschule Heilbronn (Germany), and University of Bolzano (Italy). The project stands as a model of public–private partnership (PPP), bringing together public and private universities along with a private company to work collectively toward shared educational and developmental goals.
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