Addis Ababa University (AAU) and Suzhou University of Science and Technology (SUST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and research collaboration

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – In a significant move to bolster international academic and research cooperation, Addis Ababa University (AAU) and Suzhou University of Science and Technology (SUST) from China have formally entered into a partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The agreement was officially signed by Dr. Samuel Kifle, President of Addis Ababa University, and Prof. Li Yong, the visiting Vice President of Suzhou University of Science and Technology. It marks a new chapter of collaboration between the two institutions. Both figures reaffirmed their commitment to expanding international partnerships that promote innovation and knowledge exchange.

The partnership was set in motion during a delegation visit from SUST to AAU’s prestigious Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM). The visit served as a platform to identify concrete areas for joint research and academic exchange, with a strong initial focus on pressing global water and environmental challenges.

A highlight of the visit was a specialized seminar delivered by Prof. Li Dapeng, Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at SUST. The presentation titled “Water Resources Protection and Ecological Restoration of Lake Taihu in China” provided invaluable insights from China’s experience in tackling complex water pollution and ecosystem restoration in one of its largest lakes. The seminar offered ACEWM researchers and students’ practical knowledge and potential strategies applicable to water bodies in Ethiopia and across Africa.

Prof. Feleke Zewge, Director of the Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management, articulated a clear and ambitious vision for the collaboration. He identified several potential areas for joint ventures, including student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research projects, and shared training programs.

“The collaboration that started in the areas of water and environment will expand to other fields,” Prof. Feleke stated, emphasizing that the MOU is a foundational step for a much broader and deeper relationship. This sentiment underscores the commitment of both universities to use this partnership as a springboard for multidisciplinary innovation.

This landmark MOU between AAU and SUST is more than a formal agreement; it is a bridge connecting two leading academic institutions committed to addressing some of the world’s most critical environmental issues. By pooling their expertise and resources, the partnership is poised to generate impactful research, develop skilled professionals, and create sustainable solutions for water management and ecological preservation, with benefits for both Ethiopia and China.