The project's two main objectives are:

• To strengthen the excellence of IT training at the University of Addis Ababa through the implementation of a doctoral programme,
• To create (in 2010) a centre for promoting and transferring specialised technology in NICT.

On 21 and 22 November, Lionel Brunie, professor at the Laboratory for Computer Imaging and Information Systems (LIRIS) and the project's scientific manager, and Valérie Lebey, African projects coordinator in the International Relations Department (DRI), brought together the Ethiopian doctoral students who are currently doing a three-month period in laboratories within French schools (INSA Lyon, Université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, Université de Franche-Comté), as well as their Ethiopian and French supervisors and international experts.

The goal of the meeting was to clarify the doctoral student's research subjects so that they fit with the development of research which draws on all the team's skills, remains scientifically relevant and is in tune with the country's socio-economic needs.

At the start of 2012, the signing of a partnership agreement linking the doctoral programme of the University of Addis Ababa and the international doctoral colleges associating INSA Lyon with the University of Milan (Italy – support of Franco-Italian University) and the University of Passau (Germany – support of Franco-German University) will reinforce scientific links and create a strong synergy between all these institutions.

This project provides a solid structural framework for training, research and technological transfer and is built on an innovative partnership model aimed at scientific excellence, sustainable autonomy and socio-economic impact.

For more information:
- Lionel Brunie : Project Manager (LIRIS) lionel.brunie @insa-lyon.fr
- Valérie Lebey : Coordinator for African Projects (DRI) valerie.lebey @insa-lyon.fr