About the project

Project period: 1.5.2024 – 30.4.27

Project name : Project351: Establishing Transformative Learning, Research and Community outreach and Capacities in Agroecology at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
Project coordinator: Zerihun Yohannes Amare

Contact:

Phone: +251913450741

Email:Zerihun.yohannes19@gmail.com/Zerihun.yohannes@bdu.edu.et
Coordinating institution: Bahir Dar University (BDU)
Partner institutions: University College for Agrarian and Environmental Pedagogy (HAUP), Austria
Partner country: Ethiopia

Description of Bahir Dar University (BDU)

Bahir Dar University was established in 1999 from the merger of two institutes called Polytechnic Institute and Bahir Dar Academy of Pedagogy which themselves were established in 1963 and 1973 respectively. The University has over 10,000 student intake and has over 40,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Bahir Dar University has 115 undergraduates, 198 MSc/MA, 95 PhD, 16 specialties and Subspecialty, and six certificates with a total of 430 programs. The university has about Five Colleges (Science, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Business & Economics and, Education and behavioural Sciences), Two faculties (Social Sciences, Humanities), and Four institutes. On the internationalization and partnership front, BDU has maintained partnerships with nearly 200 international institutions in 41 countries on five continents while it is a member of 11 major international associations and networks.

Currently, Bahir Dar University is implementing an 8 million USD Disaster Risk Management and Youth Leadership project funded by USAID/Ethiopia. The project is implemented with eleven public Universities and seven agricultural TVETS found in all directions.

Description of University College for Agrarian and Environmental Pedagogy (HAUP)

HAUP is a competence centre for Green Pedagogy located in Vienna, Austria. As such it is an education and research centre for teachers and advisors in the fields of agriculture, forestry, rural home economics and environmental careers. HAUP as a university college was founded in year 2007 even it roots can be traced back to the post-WWII period when it was initially founded as a federal agricultural and forestry seminar (Bundesseminar) serving at the forefront of agricultural education by tackling it as practically orientated as possible in order to ensure the direct supply of the population in rural and urban areas in Austria after the war.

Modern day HAUP offers several BSc and MSc degrees and continuing and further education in Agricultural Education and Extension & Environmental Education and Extension/Education all based on Green Pedagogy. The goal of Green Pedagogy is to foster a sense of stewardship among learners, enabling them to be conscious of the impact of their actions on their social and natural environment. Green Pedagogy engages students in hands-on activities to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while it encourages learners to reflect their learning and teaching strategies and emphasizes environmental awareness and sustainability to create a culture of respect for nature and the players in food production processes

HAUP is engaged in multiple research projects (https://www.haup.ac.at/forschung-projekte/forschungsprojekte/) and applied and practically-oriented development projects (https://www.haup.ac.at/forschung-projekte/entwicklungsprojekte/) within national and international networks.

 

About the green pedagogy

Green pedagogy aims to foster environmental awareness, ecological literacy, and a sense of responsibility towards the natural world among students. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and the environment, encouraging learners to understand the impact of their actions on the planet and to develop environmentally friendly behaviors.

Green pedagogy often involves hands-on, experiential learning activities that take place both inside and outside the classroom. It may include outdoor education, nature-based learning experiences, ecological field trips, gardening, recycling projects, and the exploration of sustainable practices. Technology can also play a role in green pedagogy, such as using virtual simulations to explore environmental issues or using online platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

By incorporating green pedagogy into educational practices, schools and educators strive to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to address sustainability challenges and make informed decisions for a more sustainable future.