Volunteers needed in Ethiopia

International development charity is urging engineers to help drive forward teaching projects

Academics from university engineering departments have been urged to consider taking voluntary roles in Africa to drive forward teaching projects aimed at improving standards of living.

International development charity VSO is mounting an “urgent” recruitment drive for engineering professors to volunteer in Ethiopia. Individuals would be expected to depart in September 2012 or February 2013, with most posts being for one to two years, although shorter placements are available.

VSO said the volunteers would be expected to teach as well as train their academic peers, improving the living standards of the country’s population by enhancing the engineering curriculum and accelerating the nation’s industrial development. Brian Rockliffe, director of VSO UK, said: “With cutbacks and job losses affecting the UK’s higher education workforce, we’re urging professionals in this sector to seriously consider taking an exciting and possibly life-changing break. By applying now, you could be heading off this September on your biggest career and personal challenge yet.

“We urgently need engineers with valuable experience to help train Ethiopian counterparts in universities and institutes of technology. There’s a substantial knowledge gap to fill. With help, we can increase the skills of thousands of young Ethiopians. This will equip them to service the industrial needs of their country and help reduce poverty.”

Dr James Wheeler, a software engineer from Derbyshire, volunteered at Ethiopia’s Jimma University. He said: “Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience. It broadens your horizons and professional outlook. It made my CV stand out from the competition when I returned to the UK.”

The charity is running free events for interested professionals to find out more. Details can be found at www.vso.org.uk/events.