By Embassy Media,
Diversity Resource International (DRI) a UK based leadership, management and research centre, organised a seminar in partnership with the University of Brighton and Halhale College of Business and Economics on Eritrea Education, Youth Migration, Challenges and Opportunities at the Business School of Brighton.
The speakers provide insight into the challenges and opportunities for the higher education in Eritrea, and share some real life case studies and discuss the most pressing issues which the country is facing today.
The aim of the event was to create an effective platform for communication and information sharing for existing and potential scholars. Speaking at the opening, deputy director and principal lecturer at Brighton Business School, Dr. Juliet Millican welcomed guest speakers, participants and gave a briefing focusing on the program, stressed the importance of knowledge exchange across practices and continents and thereby updating participants on opportunities and (DRI) efforts on future engagements with scholars.
The event brought together a number of scholars with specific interests in Eritrea.
Following a short introduction, the event was kicked off with a presentation by Ms. Mebrak Ghebreweldi, and Mr. Alex Ntung, DRI leadership team on working in Eritrea – share facts on the ground in building human capacity, education services and opportunities, gave insightful presentation on their experiences on the ground in Eritrea.
The Diversity Resource International (DRI) is working in partnership with the College of Business and Economics Development in Eritrea based in HalHale and Ms. Mebrak Ghebreweldi is the lead facilitator for all projects concerning Eritrea.
DRI also strengthen its work in establishing strong links with Eritrean Departments and professional associations.
This was followed by response from Ms. Tove Sorensen – Bentham, senior management in the public and independent sectors, the challenges of capacity building for leadership.
Keynote Speaker Prof. Tadesse Mehari – Executive Director of the Commission of Higher Education in Eritrea – illustrated the current situation of Higher Education in Eritrea since its formation in 1992 until today.
He eloquently explained the milestones and achievements recorded in recent years along with the challenges faced and the means used to overcome them. He further underlined the key role the Eritrean Diaspora can play in developing curriculum and skills transfer, and the importance of the so called “brain-gain” strategy where educated and professional Eritreans can contribute to the Nation Building process.
Professor Tadesse Mehari noted on the aim to actively identify and build relationships with potential scholars as well as to nurture and solidify the relationship with existing partners.
Dr. Yaa Asare, researcher and lecturer at Brighton and Sussex universities, also spoke about Imaging the west, the perception of school children in Eritrea, she also visited Eritrea and gave her reflection and thoughts. Dr. Yaa Asare has many years of experience as an equalities trainer, researcher and consultant specializing in issues of racial and cultural diversity.
Finally Jo Wilding, an immigration and asylum barrister at Garden Court Chambers in London, gave a presentation on some facts and figures around the asylum process for Eritreans in United Kingdom.
Towards the end of the presentation, the participants were given the opportunity to ask Professor Tadesse Mehari questions, adequate answers including current achievements with regards to the National Commission for Higher Education (NCHE) goals, as well as the policies that the government of Eritrea is taking on the overall diversification for the purposes of sustainability were clearly explained.
According to the participants the outcome of the seminar was enlightening and was one that gave an insight into the overall issue of all Institutions of Higher Education. In addition to that, most of the participants expressed extreme satisfaction in the presentation both on content and delivery.
Ms. Mebrak Ghereweldi and Dr. Yaa Asare are the founders and directors of DRI since 2004. Mr. Ivan Rudd is the third director of the organization, public health professional and he is planning to go to Eritrea to work at the (MOH) Ministry of Health. Academics from the University of Brighton also confirms their willingness to go to Eritrea and share their knowledge.
