Aksum, Ethiopia – September 17, 2025 (G.C.) – Aksum University (AKU), in a strategic collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and Arizona State University (ASU), has officially inaugurated the 7th and 8th rounds of its esteemed Master Class Training (MCT) program. This initiative is a cornerstone effort to advance teaching excellence and build robust faculty capacity for the 21st century.
The Master Class Training program is a flagship professional development series designed to revolutionize pedagogical approaches within higher education. It builds upon the resounding success of previous rounds, notably the 2017 E.C. (2024/25 G.C.) program that equipped 572 academic staff with advanced digital and instructional skills. The program’s core mission is to empower educators with innovative, student-centered teaching methodologies that foster a more dynamic and effective learning environment.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Mehamed Ahmed, Director of the E-Learning Management Unit (eLMU) at Aksum University. In his keynote address, Dr. Mehamed underscored the critical importance of the program. “The primary goal of this training is to enhance pedagogical competencies and empower our faculty members with the modern teaching methodologies required to excel in the 21st-century academic landscape,” he stated.
This phase of the program is designed to benefit 180 faculty members and senior Management staff drawn from across all of AKU’s campuses. The intensive training will span two weeks, comprising 25 instructional hours. It will be facilitated by a team of four highly experienced local trainers (cTOTs) working in close collaboration with experts from Arizona State University, ensuring a blend of international best practices and local context.
Dr. Mehamed highlighted that the program’s success is a testament to broad-based institutional commitment. He extended appreciation to key stakeholders whose leadership and support have been instrumental:
· The four core Trainer of Trainers (cTOTs) leading the Master Class.
· The ICT Directorate (Director and Experts) for technological support.
· The eSHE System Administrators (ICT e learning) for ensuring seamless digital integration.
· College Deans, Directors, and Department Heads for facilitating staff participation.
· Project coordinators from the Mastercard Foundation, SyS, and e-SHE.
The training is being conducted through both face-to-face and online (virtual) sessions.
Striking a note of urgency, Dr. Mehamed encouraged all nominated faculty to seize this unique opportunity for professional growth. He emphasized that this structured MCT offering will not be available after December 2025, marking it as a final chance for eligible staff to participate in this specific format. In his closing remarks, he warmly invited all faculty to make the necessary arrangements to join the program before it concludes.
With the official inauguration complete, the 7th and 8th rounds of the Master Class Training program are now underway. This initiative stands as a clear reflection of Aksum University’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, strategic partnership, and the continuous investment in its human capital, truly embodying its motto: “Excellence Through Perseverance.”
Aksum University
