MOBILISE and EHPEA partner to launch in-country internship programme
On Tuesday, 24 March, Huub Mudde, MOBILISE Project Director, and Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA (Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association), officially signed an agreement to shape the in-country internship programme. The signing took place during the HortiFlora Expo, the largest horticultural event of the year in Ethiopia, highlighting the strong alignment between academia and industry.
Under the agreement, EHPEA will identify, assess, engage, and onboard horticulture companies that align with Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) principles and relevant industry standards to participate in the programme. In addition, EHPEA will prepare selected students for their placements, ensuring they are well-equipped for effective participation. The organisation will also coordinate and monitor the three-month internship programme, ensuring high-quality learning outcomes and adherence to agreed standards. Furthermore, EHPEA will document implementation, track progress, and generate insights to strengthen future internship cycles and foster sustainable university-industry collaboration.
A cohort of 39 students from Hawassa University has already been selected and is currently awaiting matching with participating companies. Their internships are scheduled to take place in summer 2026, immediately following graduation, marking an important step in bridging academic learning with practical industry experience.
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The Migration Partnership Facility
This news item has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union, contracted by ICMPD through the Migration Partnership Facility. The contents of this news item are the sole responsibility of the Maastricht School of Management, Maastricht University, and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and that of ICMPD.
MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
The MOBILISE project is part of MSM’s Expert Centre on Emerging Economies (ECEE) and exemplifies MSM's commitment to fostering international collaboration and developing sustainable solutions in climate-smart agriculture. By bridging the gap between education and industry, the project contributes to the creation of a skilled workforce capable of addressing the challenges of modern agriculture.
The ECEE department is an expert centre on sustainable private sector development in emerging and developing markets. We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture, and health. For more information, click here.
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