Sida Projects Coordination Office organized a half day Annual Review Meeting
As per the agreement signed between AAU and Sida on 07 July 2018, the Sida Project Coordination Office organized a half-day annual review a face-to-face and virtual meeting at the AAU-Senate Hall on 27 May 2025. The event featured Dr. Eren Zink, Senior Research Advisor at Sida headquarters, and Professor Olle Terenius, Project Coordinator at ISP/’Uppsala who participated online alongside Project Principal Investigators (PIs) from the Electric Power and Control Engineering, Biotechnology, and Management and Economics PhD programs in Swedish universities. Ethiopian Project PIs attended the meeting in person.
During the meeting, Professor Brook Lemma, AAU-Sida Projects Coordinator at AAU delivered a welcoming speech on behalf of the President of AAU, emphasizing that this annual review meetinghas been a tradition since 2018 and marking it as the final review meeting for all AAU-Sida projects, Sida’s support ends by 31 December 2018. He outlined the purpose of the meeting which is to discuss the achievements of the 2025 project year, the challenges encountered, the AAU-Sida projects closing ceremony and to address the sustainability of the projects as AAU prepares to take over all PhD programs and the associated research activities as of 01 January 2026.
Reflecting on the past seven years, he noted the significant accomplishments and challenges faced many of which were beyond the project’s control. He expressed hopefulness about the increasing number of PhD graduates, highlighting many students expected to complete their PhD during the project period. Professor Brook Lemma’s remarks underscored the growth and lessons-learned that has characterized this journey, as well as the importance of ensuring the
Meeting participants in front of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies of AAU that houses the Senate Hall where the meeting took place.
Dr. Eren Zink delivered the opening speech, expressing gratitude to Professor Brook Lemma, SPCO staff, Project PIs, and Swedish partner universities for their dedication and cooperation. He emphasized the sustainability of the program, noting Sida’s significant impact to the development of Higher Education in Ethiopia with the dedicated contributions of Swedish taxpayers. While it can be challenging to quantify the exact nature of this sustainability and its impacts, he expressed confidence that the scientific relationships fostered through the program have created long-term benefits.
Dr. Zink suggested that it would be valuable to discuss these impacts further during the meeting, to allow participants to reflect on the program’s legacy and future potential.
Right: Ethiopian PIs and Sida Project Coordination Office staff at AAU Senate Hall. Left: Dr. Eren Zink delivering the opening speech from Stockholm, Sweden.
Professor Olle Terenius reflected on the long journey of the project, acknowledging the challenges faced and expressing pride in the accomplishments achieved thus far. Following his remarks, all project PIs presented their achievements so far and plans for the remaining 2025 budget year, the challenges encountered, and the strategies to be implemented to mitigate these challenges.
Additionally, the meeting included discussions about the upcoming AAU-Sida project closing ceremony scheduled for 23 and 24 October 2025; emphasizing the importance of preparing for the transition as the program approaches its conclusion.
