In May 2023, AEPICAB successfully held a three-day preparatory conference in Addis Ababa to support the future establishment of an alumni association for graduates of Amsterdam universities who have benefited from capacity-building programmes over the past decades.
The conference brought together senior officials, academics, former students, and development partners. The then Netherlands Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Henk Jan Bakker, delivered a keynote address and highlighted the importance of building a strong and active alumni network.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from H.E. Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, former Attorney General, who spoke about key challenges in public service delivery, including the shortage of skilled human resources and the need for well-designed institutional systems. Several speakers then shared insights on capacity building, programme design, and long-term impact. It was noted that nearly 1,000 Ethiopian government employees have benefited from postgraduate training through 15 Dutch-funded capacity-building projects.
Former students and programme participants shared their experiences and reflected on how the training contributed to their professional development and institutional change. Presentations also highlighted past postgraduate programmes delivered for staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
The conference featured panel discussions on:
Moving from capacity building to long-term partnerships
The dynamics and challenges of capacity-building programmes
Gender inclusion and transformative policies in institutional development
The event concluded with reflections on next steps and the official demonstration of the alumni website. The interim management team of the alumni initiative was also introduced, marking an important milestone toward the formal establishment of the alumni association.
