Ethiopia selected as regional hub for nuclear engineering education in Africa
Date: 2025-04-30
Ethiopia has been chosen by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to host a continental bachelor's degree program in Nuclear Science and Technology. This initiative, established through collaboration between Ethiopia's Ministry of Innovation and Technology, IAEA, China's Tsinghua University, and Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), will train Ethiopian and African students in nuclear applications for peaceful development.
The program
represents a strategic investment in human capital, designed to build expertise
across critical sectors including healthcare, agriculture, energy, and
environmental management. Dr. Beleta Molla, Ethiopia's Minister of Innovation
and Technology, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative: "Developing
skilled professionals in nuclear technology will accelerate our nation's
economic growth while positioning Ethiopia as an educational gateway for
Africa." The selection followed extensive evaluation of Ethiopia's
institutional capacity and its central role in pan-African cooperation.
Hua Liu, IAEA
Deputy Director General for Technical Cooperation, confirmed the Agency's
commitment to supporting the program through laboratory infrastructure and
technical resources, with additional backing from China's government. The
academic partnership between AASTU and Tsinghua University – a global leader in
STEM education – ensures knowledge transfer and curriculum development aligned
with international standards.
A tripartite
memorandum of understanding formalizes this cooperation between Ethiopia, IAEA,
and China, marking a significant milestone in Africa's journey toward
technological self-reliance. The nuclear science program will not only address
regional skills gaps but also enable African nations to harness atomic energy
for sustainable development, reflecting IAEA's "Atoms for Peace and
Development" mandate.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
