Belachew Gebrewold becomes Africa-UniNet President

New momentum for global scientific cooperation: head of the MCI department of Social Work assumes the presidency of Africa-UniNet

The 4th General Assembly of Africa-UniNet was recently held at Dr. Moulay Tahar University in Saïda, Algeria. Africa-UniNet was founded in 2020 on the initiative of the then Austrian Minister of Science. The network connects Austrian and African universities and research institutions and creates a platform for long-term scientific cooperation, joint research projects, and academic exchange. The focus is on joint research projects, scientific exchange, the development of teaching and continuing education programs, and the promotion of early-career researchers. The network now includes 28 Austrian and 49 African universities and research institutions. The collaborations span various scientific fields and disciplines - from the social and economic sciences, through sustainability, health, and education, to technology, agriculture, and climate research.

In recent years, Africa-UniNet has been led by the former rector of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). At the 4th General Assembly, Belachew Gebrewold, head of the MCI department of Social Work, was elected president of Africa-UniNet for the next four years. With the election of Belachew Gebrewold - who has already served as a board member for the past six years - a proven expert in international politics, development issues, migration, and social transformation processes is now taking the helm of the network, bringing with him extensive experience in its strategic development and international networking.

For MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^® and, in particular, for the department of Social Work, Belachew Gebrewold’s presidency opens up additional opportunities to deepen existing collaborations with African partner institutions and to establish new research partnerships. Topics of particular importance in this context include social justice, migration and displacement, international Social Work, access to education, sustainable development, good governance, and the societal impacts of global crises. Africa-UniNet serves as an important platform for integrating international perspectives more deeply into research and teaching. The goal is to further expand joint research projects, mobility and exchange programs, and long-term institutional collaborations with African universities and research institutions.

Belachew Gebrewold:

“Ethiopia and Austria have both shaped me in equal measure: I have spent a long and significant period of my life in each country. That is why I know from personal experience how valuable it is not only to juxtapose different perspectives but also to engage them in a genuine dialogue. Africa-UniNet offers a unique platform for this - for academic cooperation on an equal footing and for research that jointly addresses global challenges.”

With the election of Belachew Gebrewold, the MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^® is sending a clear signal in support of international academic cooperation, global responsibility, and the further strengthening of academic exchange between Austria and African partner institutions.