School of Global Studies and Partnerships welcomes Ethiopia Higher Education representatives

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

The Oklahoma State University School of Global Studies and Partnerships welcomed representatives from Ethiopia’s higher educational sector to the campus of Oklahoma State University on Monday, Feb. 10, as part of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program in partnership with the Tulsa Global Alliance.

The IVLP has brought current and emerging leaders to the U.S. for more than 80 years to participate in a variety of programs through short-term visits.  The programs are designed to allow delegates to explore the scope and role of university international program offices, including support for programs and linkages that promote diversity, encourage innovation and foster international academic collaboration; provide best practices for establishing strategic and sustainable university partnerships; examine how university partnerships can strengthen educational institutions as instruments of national development – enhancing regional prosperity, economic opportunity, and stability; and to create opportunities to network with key stakeholders and counterparts in the academic, public and private sectors.

The universities represented include Addis Ababa University, Hawassa University, Jimma University, Samara University, Jigjiga University, Bahir Dar University, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

“We are delighted to host the Ethiopia Higher Education delegation,” Randy Kluver, Associate Provost and Dean of SGSP said.  “Oklahoma State University has a long and rich history with Ethiopia, and this visit allowed us to further the relationship.”

OSU’s relationship with Ethiopia began in 1951, when Oklahoma A&M College (now OSU) President Henry G. Bennett was tapped by President Truman to head the Point IV Program, a technical assistance program now known as the US Agency for International Development.  As a part of a contract signed with the Ethiopian government, dozens of OSU faculty and staff moved to Ethiopia to establish two of the nation’s top universities, Haramaya University and Jimma University.  

In the summer of 2019, OSU President Burns Hargis and first cowgirl Ann Hargis led a delegation of OSU leadership to Ethiopia, where he delivered the commencement speech at Haramaya University, one of the two universities founded in the country by OSU faculty and staff.  Over 7000 students graduated from the university during the event.  President Hargis noted the long history of friendship with Ethiopia in his remarks, and expressed the commitment of OSU to maintain strong ties between the universities..

During the visit, the delegates discussed with their OSU counterparts best practices in international education, high level research, and student exchange. They also toured the Stillwater campus, the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, and the Food and Agricultural Products Center, and were hosted for a reception by the School of Global Studies and Partnerships, university leadership, and Ethiopian students currently studying at OSU. 

Tulsa Global Alliance coordinated the visit as part of its long-standing partnership with Oklahoma State University.  The organization, which is hosted on the OSU-Tulsa campus, advances the principles of citizen diplomacy through international visitor programs, sister city relationships, global education, and trade and business seminars.

“Tulsa Global Alliance is very grateful to the Oklahoma State University School of Global Studies and Partnerships for sharing its knowledge, experience, and hospitality with the IVLP participants from Ethiopia,” Bob Lieser, Vice President of Programs for Tulsa Global Alliance said. “The long-standing relationship between Oklahoma State University and Ethiopia is a shining example of Oklahoma’s international outreach.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Lyn Putnam | School of Global Studies and Partnerships | 405.744.5496 | lyn.putnam@okstate.edu