University for Continuing Education Krems, Austria

The University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) is a public university in Austria, which focuses entirely on academic continuing education. Research at the UWK is centered on contemporary and future societal challenges.

The Department for Building and Environment combines expertise in ecology, economy and culture to develop sustainable architecture and living environments. It’s core competencies range from environmentally sensitive building optimisation to the integration of constructional expertise with findings from human sciences, including topics as life cycle costing and life cycle assessment, facility and real estate management issues, green infrastructure and ecosystem services, and cultural heritage protection.

Key persons

Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Tania Berger

Dr. Elisabeth Huber

Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa University (AAU), which was established in 1950 as the University College of Addis Ababa (UCAA), is the oldest and the largest higher learning and research institution in Ethiopia. Since its inception, the University has been the leading center in teaching-learning, research and community services. Beginning with an enrollment capacity of 33 students in 1950, AAU now has 48,673 students (33,940 undergraduate, 13,000 Master’s and 1733 PhD students) and 6043 staff (2,408 academics and 3,635 support staff). In its 14 campuses, the University runs 70 undergraduate and 293 graduate programs (72 PhD and 221 Masters), and various specializations in Health Sciences. Over 222,000 students have graduated from AAU since its establishment.

The College of Development Studies

The Institute of Development Research (IDR), which was the precursor of the College of Development Studies (CoDS), was established in January 1972 with the objectives of initiating, coordinating and directing interdisciplinary research on the development problems of Ethiopia, and providing training in the field of development studies. In 2008, the IDR, along with two other units, namely RLDS and IGS, had transformed to the College of Development. Currently located at the Addis Ababa University main campus at Sidist kilo, the College works to promote gender equality and multiculturalism in its teaching and research engagements. The major missions of the College of Development Studies are running postgraduate training, carrying out research and providing consultancy services. The College offers five PhD and eleven Master’s Programs in its regular and evening divisions. More MA/MSc and PhD programs are in a pipeline to be launched, particularly in the areas of disaster risk management and agricultural economics. The College aspires to expand its reach and offer short-term (in-service) training, outreach and consultancy services in the years ahead.

Key persons

Dr. Kumela Gudeta (Assistant professor and Project Coordinator) 

Dr. Andualem Goshu (Assistant professor and Center Head)

Dr. Dilu Shaleka (Assistant professor and Vice President)

Dr. Filmon Hadero (Assistant professor)

Dr. Frew Mengistu (Assistant professor)

Dr. Meskerem Abi (Assistant professor)

Dr. Tesfaye Zeleke (Associate Professor and Dean)

Dr. Teshome Tafesse (Assistant professor)

Dr. Yeshitila Wondimeneh (Assistant professor)

Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

Bahir Dar University is one of the largest universities located in the city of Bahir Dar, Amhara administrative region, Ethiopia. The university currently offers about 219 academic programs: 69 undergraduate, 118 masters, and 32 PhD programs. It has five colleges (College of Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Medical and Health Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences); four institutes (Institute of Technology, Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Institute of Land Administration, Institute of Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Studies); two faculties (Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences) and two schools (School of Law and School of Earth Sciences). Bahir Dar university is also working in collaboration and has scientific networks with local and international universities, and widens its contribution in research, policy and practices.

Key persons

Atsede Desta Tegegne, PhD (Project coordinator)

Amare Sewnet Minale (Professor)

Fitsum Dechasa Kibret, PhD

Liku Mekonnen Ambie, MA

Yismaw Assefa Lakew, MA

Mekelle University, Ethiopia

Mekelle University, situated in Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray Region in northern Ethiopia, stands as a distinguished public higher education institution. Established in 2000 through the amalgamation of Mekelle Business College and Mekelle University College, the university was declared an autonomous higher education institution by the Federal Government of Ethiopia with a focus on academics, research, and community service. Offering a vast selection of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across areas such as Engineering, Health Sciences, Agriculture, Business and Economics, it accommodates a student body of 31,000 across seven colleges and eight institutes, which include a Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Spread over six campuses, Mekelle University has fostered numerous local and international partnerships over the past two decades. These collaborations have yielded significant results in research, academics, and community service, helping the university secure its place as the third top-ranked institution in Ethiopia.

School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Among the notable academic units of Mekelle University is the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, operating under the Ethiopian Institute of Technology - Mekelle (EiT-M). The school, housing seven academic departments, provides three undergraduate and two graduate programs to a capacity of 450 students. A dedicated team of 84 academics and 10 support staff carry out significant community service and research activities in addition to teaching. The school is committed to enhancing the quality of life for local communities through application-oriented community service, research, and participatory academic research. Playing a pivotal role in setting standards in academia and practical endeavours, the school applies knowledge to address existing challenges in Ethiopia and boost the livelihood of its developing communities. Its undertakings include the structural planning of Mekelle city and strategic planning for various towns in the Tigray region.

Key persons

Daniel Semunugus Negese, MArch

Simon Seifu, MSc

Eyoel Guush, MSc

Binyam Fitsum, MSc

Birhane Aregawi, MSc (Assistant Professor)

Dawit Gebrehiwot, BSc

Mubarek Kedir, BSc

Semhal Tadesse, BSc

Selam Gebrekirstos, BSc

Universidade Lúrio, Mozambique

Lurio University was created in 2006, by order of the Council of Ministers, and began the installation process in 2007. Currently, Lurio University has installed most of its Central Services and opened faculties in its three Poles: Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences and UniLurio Business School (Nampula Province); Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (Niassa Province); Faculty of Natural Sciences and Faculty of Engineering (Cabo Delgado Province). UniLúrio's mission is to "educate and train a new generation of competent professionals, committed to the development, science and well-being of local communities.

Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning

The Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning guarantees the training of professionals who can, through the production of knowledge and its practical application, contribute to the process of sustainable and global development. The vision is to be a reference institution that promotes higher education of quality, rigor, competitiveness, recognition and innovation in the face of the growing challenges of a globalized and increasingly demanding world. Graduate programs are offered for Architecture and Physical Planning as well as Urbanism and Spatial Planning. Postgraduate studies include a Master in Territory Development and Urban Management as well as a Master in Heritage and Development.

Key persons

MSc António Manuel de Amurane

MSc Dorival Victorino Fijamo

MSc Aldevina Manuela D’Alva Brito dos Santos

MSc Jaibo Rassul Mucufo