St. Mary’s University (SMU), in the Workshop on Women’s Empowerment through Digital Literacy and Transformation, held on 15 October 2026 at Eshetu Chole Hall, College of Business and Economics Campus, Addis Ababa University (AAU). The workshop was organized by AAU’s E-Learning and Continuing Education unit in collaboration with UNESCO-ICHEI.
The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to learn about UNESCO-ICHEI’s efforts to promote e-learning, digital literacy, and digital transformation in African higher education. The discussion highlighted the expansion of the UNESCO-ICHEI network in Ethiopia, with six Ethiopian universities currently participating, including St. Mary’s University as a recent member. Addis Ababa University serves as a focal member, while Mekelle University is also actively involved.
One of the key lessons was the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital competencies for academic staff. UNESCO-ICHEI provides micro-certification courses, including opportunities related to AI and digital education. AAU reported that more than 50% of its academic staff, approximately 1,200 staff members, had participated in these courses. The AI in Education Journey was reported as one of the most popular courses. This experience provides a valuable lesson for SMU. As a recent member of the network, the university should encourage and facilitate academic staff to participate in available micro-certification programs, particularly those related to AI, online learning, blended learning, and digital teaching methods.
The workshop also emphasized the urgency of digital readiness in Ethiopian higher education. A representative of the Ministry of Education highlighted the need for universities to prepare for a new generation of students entering higher education with greater digital exposure and skills. Therefore, universities need to continuously strengthen their academic staff’s digital and AI competencies and align their e-learning initiatives with the country’s digital transformation direction.
The workshop was a useful learning and networking opportunity for St. Mary’s University. It reinforced the importance of investing in academic staff development and adopting digital technologies to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education. I believe that actively engaging with UNESCO-ICHEI and encouraging staff participation in its training programs would be a practical step toward strengthening SMU’s digital learning capacity.
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