Limited workplace access
Lecturers and students rarely rehearse authentic plant, site, or lab procedures as part of regular teaching.
Empowering Educators,
Shaping Futures
Erasmus+ CBHE
·
GA 101179337 ·
2024–2027
Erasmus+ CBHE · GA 101179337 · 2024–2027
Methodology and Didactic Education for Universities of Applied Sciences
MaDE-for-UASs is a three-year European–Ethiopian capacity-building project co-funded by the European Union. Coordinated by Kotebe University of Education, it strengthens how Universities of Applied Sciences prepare lecturers and students for the World of Work—through project-based learning, virtual and augmented reality, and industrial simulation.
Grant
101179337
Erasmus+ CBHE
Period
2024–2027
36 months
Consortium
10+
ET · DE · IT
Flagship hubs
2
KUE · DDU
01 · Rationale
Why MaDE-for-UASs
Ethiopia is expanding the Universities of Applied Sciences model so higher education contributes more directly to industrial competence and graduate employability.
Under national higher-education reform, selected institutions are expected to combine rigorous academic knowledge with authentic workplace practice. Lecturers must therefore teach from current industrial processes—not theory alone—yet many faculties still lack regular access to plants, construction sites, and modern laboratories.
European Universities of Applied Sciences have long linked teaching to companies through labs, dual education, and simulation. MaDE-for-UASs transfers that experience into the Ethiopian UAS system: immersive didactic methods, two operational national centres, and a cascade of master trainers who multiply capacity beyond the project hubs.
The consortium joins three European applied universities—Hochschule Heilbronn, TH OWL, and Free University of Bozen-Bolzano—with Ethiopian universities, the Federal TVET Institute, and a communications partner. Associated policy and industry actors, including the National Resonance Group (formed October 2025), keep reform pedagogical, technical, and systemic.
02 · Problem space
Structural gaps we address
When teaching cannot safely mirror industrial work, graduates arrive with theory but limited process confidence. MaDE responds to six interlocking gaps across campuses and regions.
Theory-heavy delivery
Programmes emphasise content transmission over process competence, leaving graduates under-prepared for applied roles.
Safety and cost barriers
High-risk or capital-intensive tasks cannot be practised at scale on physical equipment alone.
Uneven industry links
Academia–industry collaboration on skills and curriculum design is irregular across campuses and regions.
Resource inequality
Access to modern labs, immersive tools, and World-of-Work materials varies sharply between institutions.
Employability pressure
Employers report graduates who know theory but lack process confidence—requiring costly on-the-job retraining.
03 · Approach
How change is organised
MaDE is not a one-off workshop. It is a continuous pipeline from European–Ethiopian co-design to national cascade and post-grant sustainability.
Transfer
European UAS partners co-design immersive didactics with Ethiopian faculties.
Equip
Pedagogy and Technology Centres host hardware, workflows, and trainer cascades.
Multiply
Certified master trainers extend practice-based teaching beyond the project hubs.
Sustain
Open tools, NRG industry advice, and institutional ownership outlast the grant.
04 · Infrastructure
Two flagship centres
Pedagogy and technology are co-located as a dual-hub backbone so immersive methods stay institutional—not one-off demos.
MaDE Pedagogy Center
Kotebe University of Education
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Teacher development, ToT, didactic research, and quality of immersive teaching practice.
MaDE Technology Center
Dire Dawa University
Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
XR production, industrial process simulation, and hands-on lab capacity for lecturers and students.
05 · Results architecture
What the project delivers
Four strategic objectives guide six major products—from open didactic tools to national trainer networks and industry dialogue.
Strengthen practical skills of educators
Move beyond traditional theoretical training by equipping university lecturers with deep practical skills through immersive experiences and industry-aligned practice.
Enhance industry understanding and collaboration
Deepen lecturers’ understanding of the World of Work (WoW) and build a culture of collaboration between UAS and industry.
Improve quality of technical education for students
Elevate student learning quality by giving educators modern tools, methods, and simulated industry environments.
Empower educators with innovative digital tools
Provide teaching staff and students with a company-like digital environment using VR, AR, and simulation.
Six major deliverables
Toolbox 2.0 for Immersive Learning
Flagship digital toolkit with methodologies, didactics, and step-by-step guides for designing, producing, and using VR/AR/simulations in UAS teaching.
ExploreOpen-Source VR, AR & Simulation Handbooks
Practical open-source handbooks that show how to apply project technologies and methods—ready for national reuse by lecturers and institutions.
ExploreMaDE-Pedagogy Center
National hub at Kotebe University of Education for immersive teacher training, didactic research, and certified ToT cascades.
ExploreMaDE-Technology Center
Technology hub at Dire Dawa University for XR production, industrial process simulation, and hands-on lab practice.
ExploreNational Network of Certified Trainers
Cascade network of master trainers skilled in VR/AR educational design and application—target of 60 certified trainers.
ExploreNational Resonance Group (NRG)
Active industry–university council for World-of-Work alignment—formally launched 28 October 2025 with MoU and Charter.
Explore06 · Impact horizon
Targets and early milestones
Impact spans classrooms, campuses, and national systems: stronger lecturer practice, safer industrial learning for students, closer employer links, and open materials others can reuse after 2027.
50,000+
Students (target)
3,000
Staff (target)
60
Master trainers (target)
2
Flagship hubs (live)
2 flagship hubs live
Pedagogy (KUE) · Technology (DDU)
NRG active since Oct 2025
Industry–university advisory council
46 master trainers certified
Core ToT complete · target 60
Practical VR intensives
DDU Technology Center cascade
07 · Delivery structure
Work packages
Seven work packages cover management, best practice, immersive content, training, piloting, quality, and dissemination—each led by a consortium partner.
WP1
72%
Project Management & Administration
Lead: Kotebe University of Education (Ethiopia)
Strategic, administrative, and financial coordination under Erasmus+ rules. Core governance is in place; remaining work is periodic reporting through 2027.
WP2
58%
Didactic Framework & Virtual Learning Toolbox
Lead: European & Ethiopian academic team (unibz · HHN · TH OWL · KUE)
Co-design of student-centred immersive didactics and Toolbox 2.0. Full multi-sector packaging continues through 2026–27.
WP3
78%
MaDE Centres & Digital Hardware Setup
Lead: Dire Dawa University & KUE (Ethiopia)
Both flagship hubs are operational. Progress reflects setup complete and ongoing lab utilisation.
WP4
38%
Capacity Building & Training of Trainers (ToT)
Lead: Kotebe University of Education (Ethiopia)
Early exchanges started the cascade; major multi-day ToT intensive is scheduled from 4 August 2026.
WP5
62%
Quality, Dissemination & Portal Management
Lead: ThumbsUp Social Entrepreneurs (Ethiopia)
Portal, communications, and the NRG (formed October 2025) are live.