Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Oumer H. Oba and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood on Thursday launched the Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative on the university premises, marking a fresh step towards strengthening educational and institutional ties between Pakistan and Ethiopia.
The initiative seeks to promote Pakistan-Ethiopia friendship through tree plantation and environmental cooperation, with seedlings planted as a symbol of fraternity between the Ethiopian Embassy and AIOU.
Speaking during an interactive session with AIOU faculty, Ambassador Oumer highlighted the importance of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative in addressing climate change, restoring forests, strengthening food security and promoting a green economy.
The ambassador also briefed participants on Ethiopia’s historical relations with Pakistan, its growing economy, demographic potential, culture and tourism opportunities.
He called for stronger institutional linkages between Pakistani and Ethiopian educational institutions, particularly in scientific and vocational education, joint research in agricultural sciences, and faculty and student exchange programmes.
Dr Oumer also highlighted the educational developments taking place in Ethiopia, including the expansion of educational institutions and rising literacy levels. He urged the academic community to contribute to further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood appreciated Ethiopia’s socio-economic development and highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Ethiopia.
He expressed AIOU’s commitment to promoting educational cooperation with Ethiopian institutions and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen relations with friendly African countries, including Ethiopia. The two sides agreed to carry forward the momentum by establishing institutional linkages between AIOU and its Ethiopian counterparts, with cooperation in education, research and academic exchanges identified as potential areas of collaboration.
