Successful Horizon Europe Info Day Focused on "Africa Initiative III" Held at Adama Science and Technology University
On June 25, 2025, Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU) hosted the Horizon Europe Info Day and Grant Writing Workshop, coinciding with the 4th Annual Congress of the Computational Science and Engineering Society of Ethiopia (CSESE). The congress, themed "Advancing Sustainable Solutions through Computational Sciences and Engineering: Innovation, Collaboration, and Impact," took place from June 25 to 26, attracting over 250 participants, including CSESE executive members, and esteemed professors, researchers, graduate students from various universities and institutions across the country participated in the conference. The primary focus of the morning session was on exploring funding, mobility, and networking opportunities within the Horizon Europe framework, with particular emphasis on the Africa Initiative III.
During the opening ceremony, high-level officials and experts, including Dr. Lemi Guta (President of ASTU), Dr. Lemma Beresa (Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer), Dr. Bedasa Abdisa (Director of Internationalization and Partnership), Dr. Lemma Tesome (Academic Affairs Internationalization and Partnership Coordinator), Dr. Laurent Bochereau (Minister-Counselor for Science, Technology and Innovation at the EU Delegation to the African Union), Ms. Blen Adem (Policy Assistant for Research and Innovation at the EU Delegation to the African Union), and Dr. Yedilfana Setarge (Regional Representative for EURAXESS Africa), delivered inspiring speeches.
The workshop commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Lemi Guta, President of ASTU, and Dr. Lemma Beresa, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, along with other university leaders. Dr. Lemi emphasized the shared commitment to advancing research excellence and innovation, highlighting how this partnership aligns with the AU-EU 2063 Innovation Agenda. He noted that this agenda has revitalized opportunities for transformative collaborative research aimed at addressing global challenges. As one of Ethiopia's leading institutions in science and technology, he stressed the importance of investing significantly in strengthening research infrastructure and fostering international partnerships to enhance the university's impact and contribute to the country's sustainable development.
Dr. Habtamu Abera, National Contact Point for Horizon Europe and CEO of National Research Development at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, addressed the audience, underscoring the critical importance of international collaboration in research and innovation. He expressed his commitment to supporting Ethiopian researchers and innovators in engaging with the recently launched Horizon Europe-Africa Initiative III.
A key session was moderated by Ms. Blen Adem, Policy Assistant at the EU Delegation to the African Union, and featured distinguished speakers. Dr. Laurent Bochereau officially launched the Horizon Europe-Africa Initiative III, outlining 24 funding topics with a total budget exceeding €500 million. He highlighted the significance of EU-Africa cooperation in advancing research and innovation, noting that Horizon Europe, the largest public funding program for research and innovation with a budget of approximately €95.5 billion for 2021-2027, provides unprecedented access to competitive funding for African researchers. He encouraged attendees to actively engage with the diverse opportunities within Horizon Europe, particularly the Africa Initiative III.
Dr. Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen, a regional representative for EURAXESS Africa, shared insights into the support mechanisms available for researchers and institutions across Africa. Additionally, Dr. Tafese Beyene from Arsi University provided valuable tips for successful grant writing, drawing on his experiences as a recipient of Horizon Europe funding. The event also featured several previous awardees and MSCA fellows, enriching discussions on EU funding and mobility programs throughout the two-day workshop.
The congress showcased a diverse array of captivating scientific talks and discussions, presented by distinguished international and local experts in the field. The keynote speech by Prof. Kingsley Obodo covered a wide spectrum of computational science and engineering, focusing on advanced modeling and AI-driven sustainable research and development. Participants actively engaged in both lecture sessions and hands-on training workshops, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas.
Dr. Mulugeta Bekele (Associate Professor at the Department of Physics at Addis Ababa University) and Professor Kingsley Obodo (University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa) received recognition during the 4th Annual Congress of the CSESE for their significant impact in promoting the field of computational materials science in Ethiopia and Africa.
In summary, the workshop aimed to equip participants with the skills to engage effectively with Horizon Europe programs, promoting scientific collaboration and innovation for sustainable development in Ethiopia and beyond. The 4th Annual Congress of the CSESE provided a crucial platform for discussing cutting-edge research and its applications. This event underscored the vital role of collaboration in tackling global challenges and is poised to significantly advance the research landscape in the region.
