Stanford Engineering
Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness

Discussion with Ethiopia Delegation

Ethiopian delegation along with Dr. Michael Lepech, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Co-Director of SDGC and Mr. Kamran Elahian, Chairman of Global Catalyst Foundation

The Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness (SDGC) was proud to host a visiting delegation from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the afternoon of Monday, November 11, 2019.  The group visited Stanford University as part of a more extensive visit to Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area in partnership with the Global Catalyst Foundation (http://global-catalyst.org/). 

A major focus of the meeting was identifying ways to leverage Stanford’s expertise in teaching innovation and entrepreneurship to educate over 130,000 undergraduate students in Ethiopia now required to learn entrepreneurial skills as part of their undergraduate curriculum.  In particular, there is a recognized need for entrepreneurial skills focused on the “real economy”, which can provide basic services to the country’s growing population, create millions of jobs for young Ethiopians, and develop the country in ways that do not exploit the country’s natural resources or deteriorate its unique natural landscapes.  Engaging in research, teaching, and service that balances these needs is central to the mission of the Stanford Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competiveness.

The delegation was comprised of representatives from the Ethiopian national and regional governments, along with representatives from Ethiopian industry and academia.  These guests were joined by members of the Ethiopian diaspora in Silicon Valley and representatives of the Ethiopian Embassy in the United States.  From the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, SDGC faculty and staff were proud to host on the campus of Stanford University;

Her Excellency, Professor Hirut W. Mariam Teketel, Minister of Science and Higher Education

Her Excellency, Demitu Hambisa Bonsa, Prime Minister Office Manager and Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister

Dr. Ahmedin Mohammed Ahmed, State Minister, Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Dr. Eyob Tekalign Tolina, State Minister, Ministry of Finance

His Excellency, Abebe Abebayehu Chekol, Commissioner, Ethiopian Investment Commission

His Excellency, Dr. Ephrem Tekle Lemango Commissioner, Jobs Creation Commission

Dawit Mulugeta Dame, Innovative Jobs and Projects Manager, Jobs Creation Commission

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