About
Over the last 30 years, the University of Amsterdam and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have been heading a cooperative educational venture with other European universities, and have organized and implemented capacity building projects in a variety of disciplines in Ethiopia.
The idea to set up the AUGAE originated from the pioneers who initiated capacity development educational ventures with the design and implementation of a variety of tailor made programs. It was often in response to requests from Ethiopian public institutions and the international partnering organizations. Including the Dutch development cooperation, these programs have been executed since the early 1990s. Professor Dr. Peter Malanczuk, Professor Dr. Gerd Junne and Dr. Haileselassie Gebreselassie of the University of Amsterdam realized the need to organize the training on site in Ethiopia, and drew up a capacity development plan to offer tailor-made programs for diplomatic staff of the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs. This new approach created an opportunity for more trainees to benefit from the training programs in other sectors.
The implementation of a series of capacity development programs for personnel from several public institutions has now reached its 30th year. In recent years a consensus has emerged to forge a network for professionals. An alumni, among other things, is envisaged to play an instrumental role in placing the capacity development projects in a formalized broader institutional context taking account of the challenges surrounding sustainability, governance, rule of law, democracy and accountability. Through its informed approach, the AUGAE will contribute to changing the one-way traffic narrative to capacity development.
Vision, Mission & Objective
Vision:
To maintain a connection with alumni who are focused on creating and designing methods for combating Ethiopia’s human resource and training deficits through impactful change.
Mission:
Our mission is to increase knowledge reservoir with educational and professional experts.
Objective:
Against the above backdrop, the principal objective of the AUGAE is to enhance professional relationships through building networks among individuals and institutions who have had opportunities to benefit from the specially designed high-level capacity development professional training programs over the last three decades. In accordance with its stated objectives, AUGAE, in the long run, envisages to plan, design and execute educational and research programmes on relevant areas focused on improving institutions of governance, rule of law and democracy. The work of AUGAE will be closely integrated with the general activities of Africa-Europe Institute for Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (AEPICAB) based in the Netherlands.
Our Team
Mr. Yusuf Gebabae
Yusuf Gababe was born at Arero, Ethiopia into a pastoralist Somali Family. His most recent educational training includes BBA &MBA in International Business and Management, and he is a Programmer & Information Analyst. Yusuf currently works as a consultant in Capacity Building in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.
Dr. Haile Selassie Gebreselassie
Interim Chairperson
Dr Haile Selassie has a MA in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, the Netherlands, and a – PHD from the Department of International Relations and International Law, the University of Amsterdam. He is responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of Capacity building projects from 1992 to date for the personnel of the justice sector institutions, the Federal Parliament as well as that of the Executive branch in Ethiopia. Currently Haileselassie is the CEO of the Africa-Europe Partnership Institute for Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (AEPICAB) based in Amsterdam.
Mr. Melaku Mulualem
Melaku Mulualem is an author and the Department Head at the Institute of Foreign Affairs in Ethiopia. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations, a Masters Degree in International Law and a Bachelor Degree in History.
Our projects and coordination
Our projects are designed as tailor-made schemes in partnership with various Ethiopian and Dutch academic institutions with the generous support of donor organizations.
In particular, it should be noted that the Netherlands, through its Embassy in Addis Ababa, has played a significant role in capacity development endeavors in Ethiopia by making the necessary resources available for implementing several projects. It should also be added that the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have played a leading role in the design and implementation of highly relevant training programs for the critical personnel of Ethiopian institutions.
Capacity Building Projects in Ethiopia 1992-2023: An Overview
The capacity building projects for human resource development in Ethiopia have, until today, been implemented by the University of Amsterdam under the “Ethiopia Project Coordination Office” and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in cooperation with various Ethiopian Institutions. These have mainly focused on three interrelated domains: Training, Research and Consultancy.
Depending on the needs and nature of the specific requests made by different beneficiaries, the capacity building and related programs implemented in the framework of the human resource development in Ethiopian institutions incorporated short-term training and post-graduate programs for professionals and high level government officials. In addition, limited research and consultancy services have selectively been organized upon request.
Project funders
We are happy to recognize that most of these capacity development projects have been sponsored by the government of the Netherlands through the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Addis Ababa.
We are working with the following funding and collaborating partners:
- The Netherlands Embassy in Ethiopia
- The UNDP
- The Dutch Ministry of Development Cooperation
- AEPICAB (The AfricaEurope Partnership Institute for Capacity Building and Human Resource Development)
- The University of Amsterdam
- The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
