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Raya University, Canadian based Charity Sign Agreement to Boost Research and Development Efforts
December 2, 2025 — Raya, Ethiopia
Raya University (RU) and the Canada-based Raya Development Foundation (RDF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening research cooperation, expanding academic opportunities, and supporting sustainable development initiatives across Raya and northern Ethiopia.
The agreement, signed during a hybrid ceremony at the RU Senate Hall, brings together an academic institution and a registered charitable organization with an established track record in poverty reduction, education, public health, cultural preservation, and socio-economic development. The event was coordinated by the University’s Office of International Relations for Research, Partnerships, and Academics.
Raya University President Prof. Tadesse Dejene described the MoU as a foundational step toward long-term institutional collaboration. He said the partnership will help advance innovation, research capacity, and academic programs designed to better equip institutions to respond to the region’s evolving needs.
RDF Executive Director Mr. Abraham Beyene reaffirmed the Foundation’s readiness to participate across all areas outlined in the agreement. He highlighted opportunities for building linkages with Canadian and North American universities, particularly through joint Master’s and PhD programs, collaborative research projects, staff exchanges, and resource-sharing initiatives intended to elevate academic standards at RU.
The MoU was formally signed by Prof. Tadesse and Mr. Ashenafi Dargie, representing the Foundation. Key objectives include enhancing research output, promoting inclusive development initiatives, strengthening institutional capacities on both sides, and facilitating strategic partnerships for resource mobilization and community-oriented programs.
Offering broader context, Dr. Halefom Gezae, Management Board Member of RU and Northern Ethiopia Director at Imagine One Day, underscored the importance of strategic cooperation in driving meaningful societal progress. He urged both institutions to view the agreement as a practical framework for innovation and community uplift rather than a symbolic document.
Raya University also expressed appreciation for RDF’s ongoing support during the Tigray conflict and recent droughts in Yakir and Kola Tembien, noting that past assistance has helped communities navigate periods of acute hardship.
Both institutions say they are optimistic that the partnership will yield tangible academic and development outcomes in the years ahead.
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