Strengthening Career Centers Through Collaboration: Highlights from the Alliance–Brandeis Second Meeting

The Higher Education Career Center Alliance continues to gain momentum. From 10–13 December 2024, representatives from universities, polytechnic colleges, government institutions, and development partners gathered for the second Alliance meeting with Brandeis University. The workshop focused on reviewing progress, sharing experiences, gathering feedback, and agreeing on concrete actions for the year ahead.

Building on a Strong Foundation

The meeting built on an initial engagement held in February 2024, where Brandeis University and Alliance members came together for introduction and planning. Since then, insights from brainstorming sessions with Addis Ababa University students, discussions with the Ministry of Education, and collaboration with the Amref Kefeta team informed an implementation plan that is now yielding visible results.

This second workshop brought together career center leads, Academic Vice Presidents, Deans, and Ministry of Education representatives to reflect on achievements from the past financial year and chart the next steps.

Experience Sharing Across 21 Institutions

The workshop opened with a context-setting session that revisited previous commitments and reviewed progress made since the last meeting. Participants from 21 institutions shared their experiences in small groups and plenary discussions.

Key outcomes included:

• Career-related trainings are now embedded in academic calendars, a strong indicator of institutionalization.
• Improved leadership support, with career center leads reporting stronger backing from Academic Vice Presidents and Deans.
• Persistent challenges, particularly shortages of resources and trained personnel in many career centers.

Despite these constraints, the collective learning environment highlighted growing confidence and coordination across institutions.

Engaging Academic Leadership for Sustainable Impact

Career center representatives formally presented their progress and challenges to Academic Vice Presidents and Deans, an approach that continues to prove effective.

This engagement has resulted in:

• Increased awareness of career center contributions
• Better allocation of resources
• Stronger advocacy at senior decision-making levels

Notably, this has already influenced policy, including the integration of career training into academic calendars and the inclusion of career center performance indicators in national higher education frameworks.

A Stronger Alliance Structure

The Alliance has significantly strengthened its governance. Previously led by a chair and vice chair—both career center leads—the Alliance now operates with a steering committee chaired by an Academic Vice President, supported by six additional members.

The committee includes:

• Two Academic Vice Presidents (Mekelle and Hawassa Universities)
• Two Deans (Bahir Dar and Kombolcha Polytechnic Colleges)
• Three Career Center Leads (Jimma University, Jigjiga University, and Debre Birhan Polytechnic College)

This structure enhances decision-making capacity, policy influence, and long-term sustainability.

Ministry of Education Endorsement

Dr. Solomon Abrha, a senior representative from the Ministry of Education, delivered a key address emphasizing:

• The critical role of career centers in preparing graduates with employability skills
• The strategic value of the Alliance as a bridge between universities, TVETs, and government ministries
• The Ministry’s commitment to institutionalizing the Alliance, either through formal recognition by relevant ministries or registration as a civil society organization
• Plans to expand and revitalize career centers nationwide, with career center performance now included as a key university performance indicator

Dr. Solomon also encouraged the development of a working manual to clarify roles and responsibilities within the Alliance leadership.

Looking Ahead

This second Alliance–Brandeis meeting marked a clear shift from planning to implementation and impact. With stronger leadership, Ministry backing, and shared resources, the Higher Education Career Center Alliance is better positioned than ever to equip Ethiopian graduates with the skills needed to succeed in the labor market.