Academic Center of Excellence for Nutrition launched in Hawassa University

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through Empowering New Generations to Improve Nutrition and Economic opportunities (ENGINE), its flagship multi-sector nutrition project, launched the Academic Center of Excellence for Nutrition on April 2, 2015 at Hawassa University. The Center will contribute to the reduction of under-nutrition among women and children by creating an excellent academic environment that links training, high quality and innovative community-based nutrition services, and nutrition research. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institution and other stakeholders, the Center will promote and advance the revised National Nutrition Program and will contribute on impact at national, regional, district, and community levels.

The ENGINE project aims to improve the nutritional status of Ethiopian women and children under age five through sustainable, coordinated, and evidence-based interventions, enabling them to lead healthier and more productive lives. ENGINE builds upon the Government of Ethiopia’s initiatives and renewed commitment to nutrition as well as the U.S. Government’s Global Health and Feed the Future initiatives.

In collaboration with Hawassa University, Jhpiego took the lead to initiate and closely follow the establishment of an Academic Center of Excellence for Nutrition by building upon existing human resources and facilities at the institution through training staff, strengthening and standardizing the nutrition curriculum, renovating and equipping the skills lab, and providing key educational materials like reference books and audiovisual materials. ENGINE also coordinated efforts to mobilize resources from various local and international partners to the center.

A consortium of organizations implements the ENGINE activity, with Save the Children as the prime in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture. ENGINE works with universities, regional colleges, Feed the Future and health partners and the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute.