The e-SHE program in Ethiopia has made significant strides in revolutionizing higher education through the establishment of state-of-the-art multimedia studios in public universities. These studios, known as ‘Resource Centers’, were inaugurated at five universities across the country, marking a milestone in the partnership between the Ministry of Education, the Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University, and ShayaShone.
The National inauguration ceremony held at Addis Ababa University on March 4, 2024, was attended by government officials, foundation representatives, university leaders, and media. The event highlighted the importance of these multimedia studios in enhancing the quality and relevance of education, especially in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Samuel Yalew Adela, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation in Ethiopia, emphasized the significance of these studios in providing resources for teachers to create digital courses for e-learning platforms. The studios will not only benefit the host universities but also 10 cluster member universities in their vicinity, promoting flexible and accessible education.
The e-SHE program aims to strengthen higher education by leveraging digital technology, with key components including building infrastructure, adopting digital learning platforms, capacity building for administrators, instructors, and students, and supporting policy dialogue for institutionalization and scaling up of e-learning.
The establishment of these multimedia studios signifies a step towards a more resilient and accessible education system in Ethiopia, ensuring that students and educators have the tools and resources needed to thrive in the digital age.