Wondwosen Tamrat (PhD, Asso. Prof.), President of St. Mary’s University (SMU), took part in a high-level expert group meeting convened by the United Nations to generate ideas for the establishment of an online university or equivalent platform focused on STEM education for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The meeting was held from 3–4 June 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York. It was organized by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), in close collaboration with other relevant UN and non-UN stakeholders engaged in the delivery of online education.
This expert consultation was convened in response to directives outlined in the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (DPOA), which calls for feasibility studies to explore the potential for establishing an online university or equivalent platforms tailored to the needs of LDCs. With only five years remaining to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education, LDCs are significantly off track and face persistent challenges in delivering inclusive and quality higher education.
The expert meeting aimed to develop a roadmap addressing, among other issues, the mapping of existing initiatives, identification of viable modalities, assessment of resource needs, accreditation mechanisms, and strategies for sustainable funding. The outcomes of the meeting will be submitted to the UN General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session for consideration.
Dr. Wondwosen was among the few individuals selected from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to participate in the expert meeting. His travel and daily expenses were fully covered by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), for which St. Mary’s University (SMU) expresses its sincere gratitude.
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