Addis Ababa, October 3, 2024 (FBC) – A Presidential Seminar entitled “The Enduring Legacy of the U.S. Government’s Point Four Program in Ethiopia” hosted at Addis Ababa University today.
United States Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Massinga stated that the seminar hosted at the university is the first of the academic year to pay tribute to the program that improved billions of lives in the world including Ethiopia.
“The story that we’re here to celebrate today is in many ways, one in which the Americans from Oklahoma State University and from around our country, working with equally committed Ethiopians, have built institutions that train and empower this nation’s brilliant young minds to contribute to this arc of development here in Ethiopia and around the world,” Massinga said.
Top US universities have been supporting Ethiopian universities to strengthen their educational leadership, management and governance, Massinga pointed out.
“Allow me to assure you that the US government and US universities are your closest allies in this critical moment in Ethiopia’s higher education system,” he added.
Addis Ababa University President, Samuel Kifle said the significant seminar is important not only to reflect on the past but also explore new initiatives for the future. “Today we gathered not only to reflect on our past but also to explore new initiatives,” he added.
“As we celebrate the 120th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between US and Ethiopia, we are reminded of the transformative role that education and financial corporations can play in advancing societal progress.”
The Point Four Program initiated by the US government in the 1940s “exemplifies the spirit of collaboration, aiming to improve agricultural practices, enhance education and foster economic development,” he added.
Guests from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, other universities in the country, and alumnus of the Point Four Program, including Plant Scientist Professor Gebisa Ejeta participated in the seminar.
During the seminar, Professor Gebisa presented about the contribution and impact of the Point Four Program in Ethiopia.
The program has contributed support to Ethiopian institutions’ capacity building especially in the agriculture and education sectors, it was indicated.
Ethio-US diplomatic relations were commenced in 1903. The two countries are celebrating the 120th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.