The Ohio State University Center for African Studies has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to increase academic collaboration and faculty exchange and support for a new study abroad program with two Ethiopian universities.

The $224,684 grant will allow for the exchange of faculty and staff from Ohio State with those from Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa and Gondar Universities, providing global opportunities for co-teaching and instructor training.  Addis Ababa and Gondar will also collaborate with Ohio State on distance-learning. Additionally, the grant will help support a new study abroad program for Ohio State undergraduate students, particularly those in education, health sciences and STEM disciplines, as well as those with arts and sciences majors. Students will be able to explore the international dimensions of their fields of study, as well as gain perspectives about life and development in Ethiopia. This is part of a new study abroad program and will be available during Ohio State’s Global May programs, which are geared toward first and second year students, and take place during the new May session in the university’s new semester system.

“This grant will enable Ohio State’s teaching and learning initiatives with our Ethiopian partner institutions to thrive, and consequently enhance the university’s mission of increased global collaboration,” said Kelechi Kalu, associate provost for global strategies and international affairs. “Also, the grant will offer students the opportunity to study in Ethiopia, improve their cultural awareness, enable them to have a better grasp of their respective disciplines in a different cultural context and expand their global perspectives.”