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A Bond of Brotherhood and Shared Destiny in action, the Ethiopian Academic Exchange Program for its Neighbors
Ethiopia’s longstanding cordial relations with South Sudan, demonstrated through, among other things, its steadfast alliance with South Sudan supporting peace processes, and advocating for a stable and prosperous South Sudan, remain alive through a multitude of cooperative endeavors and enduring fraternal relations founded on mutual respect. A great deal has been accomplished to cement these connections, including the provision of scholarship opportunities for South Sudanese students. Ethiopia has so far offered over 1000 scholarships to South Sudan since 2015, a bold and progressive gesture that speaks volumes about unity, solidarity, and a shared vision for prosperity. Given the deep historical, cultural, and economic ties among the people of the two countries, such kind of exchange programs are essential for nurturing stronger connections between citizens of the region as well.
Crucially, this bond is continuously being reinforced through concrete, impactful initiatives. A prime example of this initiative is Ethiopia’s dedicated support for capacity building. By offering fully funded scholarships in various fields of study, including Medicine, Engineering, Law, Economics, Management, Accounting, Agriculture, and others, Ethiopia continues to reaffirm its reliable friendship with its South Sudanese brothers and sisters, through decades of shared struggle, mutual support, and cultural connection.
Pursuant to the recently amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Education of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of South Sudan, the Government of Ethiopia has granted scholarships to 392 students for the academic year 2025/2026. This batch includes 20 postgraduate students and 5 doctoral (PhD) candidates. In the years leading up to 2022, Ethiopia granted 100 scholarships for both postgraduate and undergraduate studies and an additional 60 for Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) per annum. The amended Education Cooperation Agreement, signed in November 2022, stands to further increase scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the years ahead
Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing the bilateral relationship in capacity building and human development is comprehensive. Equally, the programs are tailor made as the focus areas of the scholarship opportunities are carefully identified. One such area is the health sector. Health as a priority, the critical nature of investing in human resources of the health sector, is foundational for effective healthcare delivery and achieving universal health coverage. Accordingly, since 2014, more than 100 medical doctors (specialists) graduated in 22 medical specialty programs so far. Ethiopia is nurturing a future where countries of the region rise together through knowledge, cooperation, and mutual respect. These scholarship programs are bearing fruit. Medical doctors, engineers, and lawyers are applying their skills to critical sectors such as infrastructure, environmental management, and information and communications technology (ICT), thereby strengthening the nation’s development. Additionally, those with advanced degrees are serving as lecturers in public universities, educating future students, fostering critical thinking, and driving innovation in their fields.
Graduates from Ethiopian universities are not only taking on high-ranking leadership positions, including ministerial roles, but also enhancing South Sudan’s workforce in various fields. Among several notable professionals trained in Ethiopia, some include South Sudan’s first neurosurgeon, who is also the nation’s first female neurosurgeon. She completed her neurosurgery residency at Black Lion Hospital, part of Addis Ababa University, in 2009. Additionally, Mr. Deng earned an LLM in International Law from Ethiopian Civil Service University (now known as Ethiopian Public Service University) in 2018. He is a law lecturer, a former Deputy Dean, and currently serves as the Head of the Commercial Law Department at the University of Juba. He is also the Interim Assistant Director for Water Law at the Institute of Water Studies (IWS) and the Chairperson of the Ethiopian Alumni Association of South Sudan.
In offering these opportunities, Ethiopia is guided by the principles of genuine cooperation, due diligence and earnest honor; principles that embody African-led development, solidarity, and excellence. Ethiopia is a strong advocate for the African-led solutions for the continent’s problems, including capacity building and nurturing tomorrow’s leaders. Exchange programs between the universities’ teaching staff and students will also pave the way for further engagement in joint research intended to solve the problems in terms of socio-economic, health, agriculture, technology, and other technical aspects of improving the industrial base and performance in various fields.
Honoring this gesture, transparency in the processes and strengthening the bond between Ethiopia and South Sudan is essential for the younger generations of both countries. As hundreds of students are traveling to begin or resume their studies in Ethiopia, this historic educational program plays an important role in further consolidating. Ethiopia and South Sudan have walked side by side, whether in times of challenge or hope, a bold testament of their historic bond. Through these programs, Ethiopia is making a significant long-term commitment to South Sudan’s stability and prosperity by investing in the next generation of leaders and professionals. In fact, such is a true reflection of Ethiopian foreign policy, of which cooperation, integration, and collective progress are the hallmarks.
