Looking outward to push boundaries is second nature at the University of Leicester. And nowhere is this commitment more evident - and more beneficial - than in our pioneering work to support the establishment and development of the University of Gondar in Ethiopia.

This African university didn’t even exist in 2003. But it’s now a thriving institution with 10,000 students. By enabling Gondar to manage this huge expansion and cope with the pressure it places upon its resources, the link with Leicester is providing the model upon which other UK-Developing World partnerships will be based.

In this remote and developing part of Africa, the partnership has been built over a decade with Leicester’s School of Medicine at the forefront. Bilateral visits and exchanges initially gave health professionals from both locations valuable insights into the other environment. Through the partnership we’ve supported Gondar in establishing postgraduate surgical training, an innovative Masters’ degree in public health, an undergraduate course in community-based physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Gondar, numerous research projects and the creation of a joint textbook of Paediatrics.

As the initiative develops, the areas of involvement have expanded still further to include innovative programmes to develop Gondar’s teaching staff, postgraduate research work and support for the development of Gondar’s administrative systems.

After a few short years Gondar is now an important Ethiopian university, serving its region and beyond. At Leicester we’re proud of the contribution we’ve made to this important development a continent away.

• Leicester-Gondar Link

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