The Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, successfully hosted a dynamic two-day workshop titled “Beyond Boundaries: Strategic Alumni Engagement for Impact and Innovation”, held at the Hilton Hotel.
The workshop brought together university leaders, alumni coordinators & international experts to strengthen alumni engagement as a catalyst for innovation, institutional development & sustainable impact within Ethiopia’s higher education landscape.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Prof. Teketel Yohannes, Executive Director of EAS, followed by keynote addresses from Mr. Ryan Bradeen, Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy.
These opening remarks emphasized the transformative potential of alumni networks in shaping research, funding, curriculum design & policy advocacy.
A major highlight of the workshop was a detailed case study from Addis Ababa University, presented by Dr. Messay Gebremariam, showcasing AAU’s approach to alumni engagement through academic, philanthropic & community-building lenses.
Dr. Walter McCollum of Walden University facilitated interactive sessions on key themes such as: Design Thinking for Alumni Engagement, Resource Mobilization and Tiered Donor Strategies, Metrics & Communication Toolkits, Scalable Signature Programs & Events.
Panel discussions involving representatives from Addis Ababa University, University of Gondar, Haramaya University, Jimma University & Bahir Dar University explored the evolving role of alumni as partners in innovation & institutional resilience.
The workshop built on previous initiatives led by EAS, including two preliminary alumni engagement workshops in Addis Ababa, supported by a Fulbright Specialist from the U.S. These foundational activities enabled participating universities to assess their alumni strategies & draft actionable plans. Core insights highlighted the importance of sustained communication channels, feedback mechanisms, and the use of digital platforms.
The workshop concluded with a collaborative design thinking exercise, where each of the ten participating universities presented a “signature alumni engagement program,” demonstrating creativity, institutional relevance & potential for long-term impact.
Adrienne Nutzman, Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy, offered closing remarks, reiterating the Embassy’s commitment to supporting partnerships that drive innovation, educational excellence & global cooperation.
The workshop marks a significant milestone in EAS’s ongoing mission to elevate alumni engagement as a strategic tool for national development & academic excellence in Ethiopia.