At the 2024 International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL) in Tallinn, Estonia, a key workshop session titled “Makerspace – Training on Soft Skills and Entrepreneurial Thinking” highlighted the Ethiopian Djibouti Females at Makerspaces (EtD-FaM) project. this initiative focuses on empowering Ethiopian and Djibouti women in academia and research through the creation of makerspaces. The primary objectives of the project are to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and gender equality, offering women access to the tools, training, and collaborative platforms necessary for personal and professional growth.
During the conference, four significant papers were presented, each addressing different aspects of the project. The first introduced the EtD-FaM initiative, outlining its mission and the ways in which makerspaces can empower women. The second paper presented findings from a needs analysis conducted in Ethiopia and Djibouti, identifying the challenges faced by women in accessing resources and support. A third paper focused on European best practices for establishing female-centered makerspaces, providing insights into how these models could be adapted for use in Ethiopia and Djibouti. Finally, the fourth paper discussed how practice-oriented teaching within Ethiopian universities of applied sciences can drive innovation and creativity through the integration of makerspaces.
The workshop was part of a broader effort to foster collaboration between global educational and research institutions, with a focus on supporting marginalized groups through innovation and technology transfer. The EtD-FaM project is closely aligned with Ethiopia’s broader goals of sustainable development and gender equality, particularly through the empowerment of women in education and entrepreneurship.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7246509373965950976