AHEAD Affiliate Created in Toronto

 

The Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD) is pleased to announce that a five-member affiliate group has been established in Toronto. This is the first group to be created as an affiliate of the Ottawa-based AHEAD.

 

The five members of Ahead are: Gelila Tilahun, Binyam Hailu, Thomas Teklemariam, Girma Worku and Mesfin Arega.

 

The Toronto affiliate which will be known as Ahead-Toronto is governed by the same principles, rules and operation module that is currently used by AHEAD Ottawa.  Within one year, the two groups will formalize their partnership by determining the nature and scope of their relationship.

 

Ahead-Toronto has chosen to work with the Science Faculty of the Addis Ababa University (AAU).  There are now two faculties (medicine and science) that work in partnership with AHEAD.

 

Ten students from the Science Faculty will be selected for a Bursary Program funded by AHEAD Toronto. The students will collect a monthly allowance of 30 Birr each a month for a period ranging from one-three years.  The ten students will be selected from second year biology (four students), third year chemistry (three students) and fourth year physics (three students).  The bursary will be administered by the Getachew Bolodia Foundation which will receive a modest administration fee.  This formula allows for equitable distribution of funds amongst students from different departments and years.

 

This brings to 28 the number of students who currently receive Ahead bursary.  Eighteen medical students are supported by AHAD Ottawa and ten science students are supported by AHEAD Toronto. Both groups are committed to supporting a new batch of students from the medical and science faculties each year.  Moreover, the groups send books to help alleviate shortage of current books and journals in the two faculties.

 

In May 2000, AHEAD Toronto and Getachew Bolodia Foundation will sign a Memorandum of Agreement in Addis Ababa and a cheque will be presented for the first batch of science students.  

 

Ahead Toronto will shortly have its own web site.  In the meantime, communication with AHEAD Toronto can be conducted by calling:  

(416) 691-5631(home) or sending e-mail to:
gelila@utstat.toronto.edu      or     binyamh@hotmail.com