November 17, 2025 (AWHSC). Debre Berhan University’s Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus and Dalarna University of Sweden have formally signed a ground-breaking Collaboration Agreement aimed at strengthening PhD-level education, research capacity, and international academic partnerships in the field of Midwifery and Women’s Health. The agreement marks a major milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to build a highly skilled workforce capable of shaping maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health outcomes.

The agreement establishes a long-term partnership between the PhD Program in Midwifery and Women’s Health, under Midwifery Department at Debre Berhan University (DBU), and the Research Group for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) at the School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University (DU). The Collaboration Agreement is effective from 15 November 2025 and will remain active until December 2030.

The collaboration responds to a critical need in Ethiopia: limited doctoral-level training in midwifery and significant shortages in skilled academic and research professionals. This partnership aims to build a world-class PhD program that reduces brain drain, improves the quality of research, and strengthens midwifery-led health systems for maternal and new born care.

Debre Berhan University’s PhD Program in Midwifery and Women’s Health is designed to produce highly skilled leaders in education, research, policy, and clinical practice. Dalarna University contributes its extensive international network of more than 40 researchers, specializing in midwife-led care, maternal and new born health, trauma and mental health, digital innovations, life-course women's health, and SRH systems integration.

The Collaboration Agreement was officially signed by Dr. Asmare Melese, Debre Berhan University President, and Professor Kerstin Erlandson, Dalarna University, Research Group Leader, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) School of Health and Welfare.

In their joint statement, the leaders highlighted the importance of global collaboration in advancing maternal and reproductive health, capacity building, and research that directly addresses real-world challenges in low-resource settings.

Key components of the agreement include:

• Research capacity building and advanced training for staff and students

• Joint research projects, publications, and grant applications

• Staff and student exchange programs

• Co-supervision of PhD students

• Joint development of curricula, guidelines, and research standards

• Shared seminars, conferences, and dissemination workshops

• Data-sharing and collaborative learning

These efforts will enhance evidence-informed decision-making and contribute to high-quality academic outputs aligned with national and global health priorities.

Expected Impact

The first cohort of PhD candidates will begin studies in 2025/2026, with 3–4 students enrolling annually. The first graduates are expected by 2029, marking an important contribution to Ethiopia’s pool of academic and research professionals.