Administrative needs of academic partnerships at one Ethiopian university: a pilot study

International university partnerships are important contributors to international collaboration, research, and capacity strengthening worldwide. In Ethiopia, such partnerships have been initiated at many universities for many years. Partnership effectiveness is known to be dependent in part on effective administrative practices and infrastructure.

This study examines the administrative services and resources considered most valuable for sustainable partnerships at one Ethiopian university.

A survey questionnaire was distributed to 67 Ethiopian and international colleagues currently or recently involved in partnerships at the University of Gondar, of which 10 were completed and returned by personnel at the University of Gondar and 8 were returned from international colleagues.

Both Ethiopian and international respondents agreed on the value of partnerships, the dominant challenges, and administrative solutions. However, the study also revealed striking differences in perceptions of equity and benefit.

While the study is small, it raises some important questions for further study.