Bahir Dar, July 4, 2026 (Amhara Region Supreme Court)
The Amhara Region Supreme Court and the University of Gondar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in key areas aimed at modernizing the region's judicial and justice system, making it more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the public.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the President of the Amhara Region Supreme Court, Honorable Ato Alemante Agidew, emphasized that the University of Gondar's outstanding achievements in education, research, community service, and institutional partnerships make it a valuable partner in strengthening the regional justice system.
The President noted that the Supreme Court is implementing comprehensive judicial reform initiatives designed to deliver accessible, timely, efficient, and modern justice services. He highlighted that the Court's key reform priorities include strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, expanding customary courts, improving legal aid services, enhancing the capacity of legal professionals, digitizing court services, and developing human resources.
Honorable Ato Alemante further stated that the partnership with the University of Gondar will focus on capacity-building programs, short- and long-term professional training, strengthening indigenous justice systems, developing digital justice technologies, conducting joint research, and organizing international conferences and collaborative forums to support ongoing judicial reforms.
The President of the University of Gondar, Asrat Atsedeweyn(Dr.), stated that the University currently offers more than 350 academic programs and noted that its School of Law has been actively engaged in justice sector reform, free legal aid services, capacity-building initiatives, and legal technology development.
Dr. Asrat added that the University operates 16 free legal aid centers and is expanding specialized legal education programs in areas such as Water Law and Medico-Legal Studies.
He noted that the partnership with the Amhara Region Supreme Court will make a significant contribution to modernizing the justice system through human resource development, creating internship opportunities for students, and conducting joint research and academic studies.
Dr. Asrat further emphasized that the Supreme Court's new approach of building strategic partnerships with universities reflects the comprehensive transformation currently underway in the justice sector. He expressed confidence that jointly developed short-, medium-, and long-term plans will produce lasting results that benefit not only the two institutions but also the Amhara Region and Ethiopia as a whole.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two institutions agreed to collaborate in a wide range of areas, including research and innovation, improving the quality of judicial services and legal education, capacity building, the development of digital justice services, free legal aid programs, strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, organizing international conferences, and implementing other joint initiatives aimed at enhancing the judicial and justice system of the Amhara Region.
