Ethiopia has launched a land-related data capturing and processing program using ground survey equipment, aerial photography as well as high-resolution satellite imagery. The recently established Rural Land Administration Directorate (Ministry of Agriculture), the Urban Land Development and Management Bureau (Ministry of Urban Development and Construction) and the Geospatial Information Institute at federal level with branch offices at regional and lower organizational levels are responsible for all geodata-management tasks. However, the lack of well-qualified specialists is becoming a challenge for a proper execution of these duties.

APPEAR has been playing pivotal role for these by funding the establishment and proper functioning of the land administration competence center at Debre Markos University (DMU) in the previous academic partnership project EduLAND2. A bachelor course on Land Administration and Surveying has been developed and implemented to teach students both in regular and in continuing education programs. In addition, land administration experts at different levels got tailor-made trainings on different skill related courses. This strongly supports the development of the country by strengthening the land sector.

Edu4GEO2 is an advanced academic partnership project based on the results of EduLAND2 project. Edu4GEO2 is designed to upgrade the competence of undergraduate students through implementing a master curriculum on Geomatics to make students fit for carrying out research activities, for teaching at academic institutions, and for leading public and private institutions in the field of land administration and geodata-management. Edu4GEO2 is in line with the priority areas of the government. By focusing on capacity building on geo-data sciences, the project will increase the number of specialist and will contribute to the sustainable development of the country by strengthening the launched modern land administration program and providing geodata for decision-making. Since, female students are given priority in the enrollment process, Edu4GEO2 will increase the number of female land administrations specialists and enable them to be competent for scientific and innovation works as well as for leading positions in the Ethiopian land profession sector. This will improve the proportion of female land administration professionals engaged in higher scientific works and decision-making powers.

The implementation of the master course relies heavily on team teaching. During the first and the second term of the master program, all classes are held as team teaching of the project members from all partner institutions. From the third term on, lecturers of DMU will take over and provide classes by their own (in a team-teaching approach). Team teaching enables lecturers to learn from each other by discussing and applying modern teaching and learning methods. The concept of gender and diversity is considered in teaching. All course material will be available in digital format.

Two research studies will be carried out in the Edu4GEO2 project. One is highlighting the potential of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to gain land related information time-independently at local level. The second is investigating the effects of land certification on balancing gender land rights. Factors triggering gender equality will be elaborated and communicated to the public. Together with trainings given to female famers and the increased number of higher-qualified female land experts, the findings of this research study will strengthen the land tenure security for women in the Ethiopian society and create a conducive environment for equal access to land.

Edu4GEO2 also includes customized trainings for land administration professionals engaged in different scientific works, which will close existing knowledge and skill gaps. Particularly, the training of land committees and female farmers is pivotal for the proper functioning of the land administration activities especially at the grass root level.

Edu4GEO2 directly addresses the overall objective of APPEAR, as it increases capacity in the land administration sector by producing competent graduates, by upgrading knowledge and skills of project team members and land administration professionals, and by conducting problem solving research. Edu4GEO2 also will support essentially the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.