Center for African Studies visited the University of Gondar

On December 20, 2024, the HSE center for African Studies visited the University of Gondar in Ethiopia to discuss potential areas for collaboration in the digital field. 

On behalf of the Center, Philipp Grinin, Deputy Coordinator of the E-Governance Knowledge-Sharing Program, met with Dr. Kassahun Tegegne, Academic Vice President of the University of Gondar. They pledged to collaborate on digitalization of the agricultural sector to provide food security in Africa. They also agreed to share experience and exchange publications on how to resolve agricultural challenges via digital technologies. 

The University’s delegation was presented by Dr. Demis Alamirew, Vice Dean of the College of Business and Economics, Dr. Aemiro Asmamaw, Vice Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Worku Degifie, Vice Dean of the College of Informatics, Dr. Solomon Girma, Director of the International Relations Directorate, Dr. Agegnehu Tesfa, special Advisor for Academic Vice President, Dr. Birku Demewoz, Academic Affairs Directorate Director, Dr. Misganaw Tilahun, Coordinator of the International Relations and Partnerships Directorate and Habtewold Mulat, Personal Assistant to the President. 

Earlier in October, 2024, the Center’s delegation met with Dr. Kehali Jembere Tiruneh, Dean of the College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences at the closed-door expert round table named “Dimensions of Food Security in Africa and Russia”. Both then and now, parties discussed challenges that African countries are currently facing, and recognized that digital solutions can boost food production and consumption. E-solutions could provide access to reliable information about weather patterns, soil characteristics, future market demand, and also improve digital literacy.