A decade-long collaboration between the University of Gondar in Ethiopia, Queen’s University in Canada, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is demonstrating how universities, working with global partners, can drive systemic change in higher education and a more inclusive approach to national health services.
This week, the University of Gondar marks an important milestone with a showcase commemorating the key achievements, innovations, and future direction of this transformational program and partnership. In addition to presentations illustrating the program’s deep impact, it will also feature the launch of a new Knowledge Mobilization Toolkit, co-authored by the partners and designed to support global institutions in translating research into practical, community-level impact.
The showcase also marks a year since the graduation of Ethiopia’s first-ever cohort of occupational therapists, which established 16 trained professionals in disability care, while creating pathways for persons with disabilities and trained professionals to access dignified and fulfilling work in Ethiopia.
Historically, access to higher education for students with disabilities in Ethiopia has been limited. This partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the University of Gondar and Queen’s University has significantly expanded access to higher education for underserved young people in Ethiopia, particularly young people with disabilities. Today, more than 450 Mastercard Foundation Scholars have pursued undergraduate and Master’s degrees at the university.
The program has also supported the advanced training of over 60 University of Gondar faculty members at Queen’s University in Canada, including Master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy and PhDs in Engineering, Education, History, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Nursing. These faculty now play a critical role in delivering academic programs, strengthening the University’s ability to provide inclusive, high-quality education and building a strong base of locally trained educators to sustain teaching, research, and inclusive practices beyond the life of the program.
A key milestone in this transformation was the establishment of Ethiopia’s first Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy program in 2021, alongside the integration of occupational therapy services and supporting infrastructure within the University hospital. Prior to this, occupational therapy did not exist as a recognized profession in Ethiopia, requiring the partnership to build both the training pathway and professional foundation from the ground up. Introducing the profession required engagement across multiple sectors, including health, education, and labour, to build understanding and support for its role in strengthening rehabilitation services.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program gave me more than just a degree; it provided a platform to advocate for others like me. As part of Ethiopia’s first generation of trained occupational therapists, I am transforming my lived experience into professional service, restoring dignity and independence to persons with disabilities and their families in my community.
This progress is particularly significant given the shortage of trained rehabilitation professionals across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, including occupational therapists and community-based rehabilitation practitioners. In reflection of this, the partnership includes specialized training in Community-Based Rehabilitation, equipping more than 175 Mastercard Foundation Scholars to deliver inclusive, community-based services. This approach is contributing to a broader shift in how disability is understood and addressed, moving from a narrow, clinical lens to a more holistic, community-centred perspective.
In addition to program implementation, the partnership has generated a significant body of knowledge to inform inclusive education and rehabilitation practices. To date, this work has produced more than 47 peer-reviewed publications and collaborative research initiatives between Ethiopian and Canadian faculty. These contributions are positioning the University of Gondar as a growing hub for research and thought leadership in inclusive development and are informing how inclusive education and rehabilitation are implemented in institutional and community settings.
For the University of Gondar, this work represents a long-term institutional shift toward inclusive excellence.
Our partnership with Queen’s University and the Mastercard Foundation has fundamentally rewritten the DNA of our institution. By building faculty capacity, introducing meaningful programs and growing our enrollment of students with disabilities, we are building a sustainable, inclusive legacy that will serve Ethiopia for generations to come.
As institutions across Africa and beyond seek to expand access to education for persons with disabilities, this partnership offers a practical model for how universities, supported by longterm investment and collaboration, can drive inclusive and sustainable change at scale.
Visit the University of Gondar's website here.
Visit the Queen's University website here.
