Mekelle University Hosts Landmark Gender Mainstreaming Training Under NORHED II Energy Project

The Ethiopian Institute of Technology-Mekelle (EIT-M) at Mekelle University successfully launched a three-day specialized training on Gender Mainstreaming in the Energy Sector from December 29 to 31, 2025. This critical training is a core component of the Energy Networking (ENET) Project, a major initiative under the NORHED II program.

The ENET project is funded by the Norwegian government, academically coordinated by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and implemented across six African partner countries. It aims to strengthen higher education and research capacity through four interconnected pillars:

Education: Reviewing and enhancing MSc programs and developing new PhD curricula.

Research: Advancing studies in small-scale renewable energy systems, including Hydropower, Solar, and Wind energy.

Outreach: Ensuring research findings create tangible societal impact.

Network: Building a collaborative platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources.

The Gender Mainstreaming workshop directly fulfills the project's outreach mission by integrating gender perspectives into energy planning and technology deployment, combining theoretical frameworks with practical demonstrations.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Goitom Desta, Research and Postgraduate Deputy Director of EIT-M. In his opening remarks, Dr. Goitom underscored the importance of inclusive energy solutions for sustainable development.

He then invited Dr. Abdelkadir Kedir, Academic Vice President of Mekelle University, to deliver the keynote address. Dr. Abdelkadir highlighted the strong alignment between the ENET project's goals and the university’s strategic vision and mission, particularly in promoting innovative research and equitable community engagement.

Mr. Akatew Haile, the ENET Project Coordinator, provided an overview of the project’s overarching objectives and celebrated the enduring collaborative partnership between the participating institutions. He emphasized how this training is a vital step toward ensuring that the future of energy in the region is both sustainable and equitable.

This event marks a significant step in Mekelle University's leadership in fostering inclusive energy education and research, positioning it at the forefront of a vital international development partnership.