Arsi University | 📅 December 22–23, 2025
The Ethiopian–Djibouti Females at Makerspace Project successfully conducted a two day training workshop on Grant Proposal Writing, Microsoft 365, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Arsi University Business Makerspace from December 22 to 23, 2025.
The workshop was organized as part of the pilot implementation of the Arsi University Business Makerspace, following the completion of furnishing the makerspace with the required tools, equipment, and materials. The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of female academic staff and female students by equipping them with essential skills in research funding, digital productivity, and emerging technologies.
A total of selected female academic staff members and students of Arsi University participated in the training. The sessions were designed to be practical and interactive, focusing on enhancing participants’ abilities to develop competitive grant proposals, effectively utilize Microsoft 365 tools, and understand the fundamentals and applications of AI in academic and innovation settings.
The training workshop was officially opened by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Administrative Affairs of Arsi University, who attended the event and delivered an opening address. In the speech, the Vice President emphasized the importance of makerspaces in fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, and highlighted the long-term benefits of digital skills, grant proposal writing, and AI knowledge for female academics and students in advancing their academic and professional careers.
The successful completion of this training marks an important milestone in operationalizing the Arsi University Business Makerspace and demonstrates the project’s strong commitment to women’s empowerment, capacity building, and cross-border collaboration under the Ethiopian–Djibouti partnership.