On Tuesday, 24 March, Huub Mudde, MOBILISE Project Director, and Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA (Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association), officially signed an agreement to shape the in-country internship programme. The signing took place during the HortiFlora Expo, the largest horticultural event of the year in Ethiopia, highlighting the strong alignment between academic and industry.

Under the agreement, EHPEA will identify, assess, engage, and onboard horticulture companies that align with Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) principles and relevant industry standards to participate in the programme. In addition, EHPEA will prepare selected students for their placements, ensuring they are well-equipped for effective participation. The organisation will also coordinate and monitor the three-month internship programme, ensuring high-quality learning outcomes and adherences to agreed standards. Furthermore, EHPEA will document implementation, track progress, and generate insights to strenghten future internship cycles and foster sustainable university-industry collaboration.

A cohort of 39 students from Hawassa university has already been selected and is currently awaiting matching with participating companies. Their intenrship are scheduled to take place in summer 2026, immediately following graduation, marking an important step in bridging academic learning with practical industry expereince.