Canada Committed to Enhance Collaboration in Higher Education, TVET: Ambassador Chevrier

Addis Ababa November 4/2019 The Government of Canada is committed to enhance the collaboration of higher education institutions and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Speaking at a workshop held to address the gaps of Ethiopian universities and TVET colleges today, Canada's Ambassador to Ethiopia Antoine Chevrier said that the government of Canada has been supporting Ethiopia in different sectors, including higher education.

The partnership with Canada in the education sector goes back to 1950s when the two countries started official diplomatic relations; and today's workshop is aimed at further cementing the existing partnership.

The workshop was reportedly organized to figure out areas of collaboration in higher education  science, technology and TVET.

Opening the workshop, Science and Higher Education State Minister Afework Kassu said partnership with Canadian higher education would help to address the gaps of Ethiopian universities and TVET colleges.

The universities and TVET colleges in the country do not fully address the demand in science, technology and other aspects, according to Afework.

The country has 50 public and 229 private universities right now respectively, he said, adding that it has also 1622 public and private TVET colleges.

These do not, however, fully address access to higher education and access to TVET, and ensure quality education, the state minister stated.

It is, therfore, important to collaborate with the prestigious Canadian universities.

According to Afework Ethiopia has untapped areas in political, social, cultural and economic spheres, which would help Canadian researchers and academicians. In light of this, the partnership is based on mutual benefits.