Strengthening Alumni Engagement and Research Collaboration
In February 2025, following the launch of the Amsterdam Universities Graduates Association in Ethiopia (AUGAE), AEPICAB formally initiated a set of thematic Working Groups as part of its core research and knowledge-generation activities. These Working Groups are closely linked to the alumni launch and are designed to provide a structured platform through which alumni actively contribute to AEPICAB’s long-term research, policy, and capacity-building agenda.
The Working Groups are an integral part of AEPICAB’s strategy to strengthen collaboration between alumni, researchers, and institutions, and to translate academic expertise into practical insights with societal impact. Most members of the Working Groups are drawn from AUGAE, reinforcing the role of alumni as key partners in shaping research priorities and advancing evidence-based dialogue.
Thematic Working Groups
Five Working Groups have been established, each composed of five to six carefully selected experts from diverse academic and professional backgrounds:
- Gender Studies
- Migration Patterns and Impacts
- Youth Empowerment
- Principles and Practices of Democracy
- Transitional and Restorative Justice
Each group is mandated to conduct in-depth, multidisciplinary research within its thematic area. The aim is not to duplicate existing work, but to offer fresh perspectives, contextual analysis, and innovative approaches that build on ongoing research and practice.
Linking Alumni, Research, and Impact
The Working Groups reflect the strong connection between the AUGAE alumni launch and AEPICAB’s broader mission. By mobilising alumni expertise, AEPICAB seeks to deepen institutional memory, encourage cross-sector dialogue, and promote collaborative research that addresses pressing social, legal, and governance challenges in Ethiopia, the region, and beyond.
Through these Working Groups, AEPICAB and AUGAE jointly reaffirm their commitment to knowledge exchange, critical inquiry, and inclusive capacity building grounded in long-standing partnerships.