High Tech, High Touch

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (August 29, 2024) — Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center’s (SSC) Global Programs lead, Dr. Lulu Rodriguez, spoke to an audience of prospective undergraduate and graduate students at the United States Embassy’s Satchmo American Center in Addis Ababa. Her presentation was part of the ongoing Education USA initiative by the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section to inspire Ethiopian students to pursue higher education in the United States.

Dr. Rodriguez, who was in Addis Ababa for a four-day seminar-workshop on seed systems development in East and West Africa, highlighted the unparalleled opportunities awaiting international students at Iowa State University in her invited talk.

“Attending higher education at ISU offers Ethiopian students a unique blend of world-class education and a supportive community. With access to cutting-edge research, diverse academic programs, and a welcoming environment, ISU provides the perfect platform for Ethiopian students to gain advanced knowledge and skills, positioning them for global leadership and innovation,” she shared with the eager audience.

The presentation also featured a videotaped testimony from Abdurahman Mohammed, a current ISU Ph.D. student in computer science from Ethiopia. He shared his personal experiences, including his challenges and the support he found on campus and within the Ames community.

“The faculty are excellent, always willing to help, and the areas they are working on align well with my chosen career path,” Mohammed said. “Life in Iowa has been incredible so far. Ames, in particular, is very beautiful.”

Cindy Hicks, SSC Communications Specialist, responded to inquiries from about 300 students who attended the session in person and virtually.

“The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alone has eight broad interest areas offered by 28 academic programs that students can explore,” she said. “Iowa State is committed to guiding and supporting students as they embark on a transformative journey, gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to become global leaders.”

Before the presentation, Rodriguez and Hicks met with Cultural Affairs Officer Ryan Bradeen and Teklemichael Tefera, Director of American Spaces and Education USA Advisor, to discuss collaborative initiatives to make studying abroad a reality for Ethiopian students. Both Embassy officials asked for Iowa State assistance to strengthen the capacity of Ethiopia’s ten leading universities to transition their governance structures to operate with greater independence from Ministry of Education oversight.

“We need the support of Iowa State and a consortium of U.S. universities in training the nine leading universities transitioning to autonomy in the areas of research administration, alumni engagement, how to secure endowment funding, and intellectual property protection,” Bradeen explained.

The Satchmo Center is dedicated to empowering Ethiopian students by opening doors to world-class education at universities in the United States, such as Iowa State. Named after the legendary jazz musician Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, the Center offers students and community members spaces for informal gatherings, public programming opportunities, and access to high-quality academic databases.

About the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University: Iowa State University’s SSC is a global center for excellence in seed science, technology, and systems. It operates one of the world’s most comprehensive public seed testing laboratories that analyze seeds of 300 species for over 350 seed-borne pathogens. It offers the only online master’s program in the world on Seed Science, Technology, and Business. SSC projects in 80 countries over the past 20 years have helped to expand producers’ access to quality seed, facilitate seed trade, and promote the growth of national seed systems and industries.