I.About the International Relations Directorate
As per the organizational structure of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University(AASTU), the International Relations Directorate (IRD) is accountable to the office of Vice President for Institutional Development and International Relations. The office is entrusted with the responsibility of handling the international communications and partnerships of AASTU.
Fundamentally, the IRD works to connect AASTU with other internationally recognized universities and research institutes around the world. In relation to this, the office is responsible to initiate communications and establish collaborative partnership with international actors.
In this regard, one of the noteworthy missions of the IRD is adding a global and inter-cultural dimension to the overall activities of the university. Besidesconnecting AASTUwith the international community, the office also designs and executes the internationalization plans and strategies of the university. At the same time, the office searches possible ways of sharing well proven experiences from globally recognized higher education institutions and research centers. Therefore, the IRD plays a leading role in the internationalization of AASTUthrough long term partnerships and fruitful networking with internationally reputable academic and research institutions.
II.Vision
“The International Relations Directorate envisions making Addis Ababa Science and Technology University an internationally recognized, reputable and competent science and technology university and a reliable partner to the globally prestigious universities and international organizations by the year 2025.”
III.Mission
The IRD has a mission to see AASTU becoming a viable power house of science and technology at continental and global level through strategic and demand driven partnership and networking, and to support the international recruitment, global competitiveness and capacity building programsof AASTU as well as to make our university the number one destination of partners from the global science and technology community.
IV. Core values of IRD
- Commitment
- Effective communication
- Openness
- Reciprocity
- Respect
- Tolerance
- Trustworthiness
V. Core Functions of the IRD
The International Relations Directorate has the following three core functions. These are:-
- International partnership and cooperation
- International communication,and
- International promotion
Furthermore, the detailed activities of the directorate include the following:-
- Initiate and coordinate collaborative partnerships with international universities.
- Support the recruitment of foreign staff and conduct follow-up activities.
- Initiate and coordinate exchange programs between AASTU and other international universities.
- Facilitate the participation of international conferences by the university management and staff members.
- Attract experienced professors from the diaspora community and foreign universities.
- Facilitate entrance visa, transportation and accommodation for incoming visitors.
- Plan and coordinate incoming and outgoing international visits.
- Prepare Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) documents and follow-up the signing and implementation of these documents.
- Conduct a follow-up activity about staff who are studying abroad.
- Organize and coordinate international conferences and short term trainings.
- Initiate as well as handle communications with the internationalacademic and research community.
- Inform and advise the university community regarding available global opportunities and resources.
- Search and establish relationships with international donors and sponsors.
- Promotes the vision, mission and achievements of AASTU to the global community.
- Process entrance visa, resident permit and other similar issues for the expatriate staffs and their families.
VI.Short-Term Plans
In terms of Internationalization, AASTU being at its formative stage seeks to share best practices of internationally recognized universities and research centers. Basically, the short term needs of the university are to get capacity building assistance in the selected three priority areas that include Manufacturing industries (including Metal Engineering, Leather and Leather products, Textile, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Construction raw materials),Mining industries and Infrastructure Construction industries (including Road, Railway and Air Transport, Renewable energy, Water, Telecommunication and ICT, Urban development and Construction sector).
Staff development, research capacity building, university-industry linkage and technology transfer are additional areas that AASTU needs to work with international actors. Therefore, the IRD has a short range plan to support the aforementioned plans and endeavors of the university through identifying capable and experienced institutions and facilitating the establishment and realization of effective partnerships.