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New joint reseach to promote Africa's development agenda

Xinhua, June 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Hawassa University (HU) in Ethiopia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that enables the two institutions to establish a framework of cooperation on academic and research activities.

Carlos Lopes, ECA Executive Secretary, and Professor Yosef Mamo, President of Hawassa University, have signed for the higher institution of learning that the two institutions are seeking cooperation in the areas of academic and research activities, according to a statement from ECA on Friday.

"ECA is looking forward to deepening its relationship with Hawassa University to support the promotion of Africa's development agenda," said Lopes. "We are expanding our collaboration with African universities, and are therefore looking forward to a very strong collaboration with Hawassa University."

The MoU, which was signed on Wednesday here in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, will extend interdisciplinary research and promote regional and continental engagement to support Africa's transformation agenda spearheaded by ECA in industrialization and Hawassa University in knowledge, according to the statement.

The joint academic and research activities will help bridge the research-policy gap, both to better inform academic research on pressing policy issues and to bring academic research more to the attention of policy-makers and governments, it said.

Mamo expressed optimism about the outcome of the collaboration.

"We are very honoured to be associated with this prestigious institution, ECA, which has done a lot in Africa and is a beacon of social and economic development on the continent," said Mamo, adding, "We hope this collaboration will be a success story."

The signing of the MoU was preceded by a tour of some key ECA facilities with ECA Deputy Executive Secretary, Giovanie Biha, leading the way.

The ECA Deputy Executive Secretary reassured the university that collaborating with ECA was the right thing to do.

"It's the beginning of a long but good and successful journey, and I think ECA and HU have many areas of common interest in terms of the work we and the work you do," said Biha.

After the tour of ECA's print shop, library and the iconic Africa Hall, Mamo, who led the Hawassa University delegation, was impressed by the facilities at the ECA, adding both students and staff from the University would benefit greatly from the cooperation between the two institutions.

Lopes assured the Hawassa University delegation that the Commission is ready to support them.

"We can help you develop relations with the international community, and also serve as a filter for your relations with the international community," he said, "Also, we'll be sure to always furnish your library with our latest publications." Endit