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Egyptian young trainees in Dutch horticulture: their take-aways
Seven Egyptian students from Kafrelsheikh University recently completed a three-month exchange program in the Netherlands through the MOBILISE Mobility program. The program, focused on horticulture, provided valuable hands-on experience and insights into Dutch agricultural practices. The students appreciated the open learning culture and the emphasis on practical application. They plan to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to contribute to the development of climate-smart agriculture in Egypt. Source: nfpconnect
Meet a member of the team
Dr. Ali R. Elshereif, a passionate researcher and educator at Kafrelsheikh University, is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and supports early-career researchers. He views the MOBILISE project as a valuable opportunity for students to gain practical skills, cultural experiences, and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between institutions to advance education, research, and capacity-building initiatives.
Business Challenge Workshop Highlights Horticulture Opportunities in Ethiopia
A workshop in Addis Ababa addressed challenges and opportunities in Ethiopia's horticulture sector. Participants discussed issues like land tenure, public services, input costs, labor shortages, infrastructure, and climate change. The workshop also identified opportunities in crop expansion, nursery development, value-added processing, and organic inputs. Participants committed to supporting the MOBILISE program to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills to succeed in the sector.
Ethiopian student experience sharing meeting highlights transformative internships
The MOBILISE project hosted a student sharing event on October 11th in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Nine Hawassa University students, who interned in the Netherlands (8) and Ethiopia (1), shared their experiences. They emphasized the importance of soft skills, work ethic, and practical skills gained during their internships. The students recommended fostering collaboration between companies and universities, providing more internship opportunities, and improving pre-departure training.
MOBILISE Project highlighted at the 11th MACIMIDE Annual Work Conference
Ms. Rahwa Yemane Yeebiyo, Project Assistant for MOBILISE, represented the initiative at the 11th MACIMIDE Annual Work Conference. The conference brought together experts to discuss cutting-edge research in migration, mobility, citizenship, and development. During the session on 'Law and Governance across European Borders,' Ms. Yeebiyo presented an overview of MOBILISE's policy research, focusing on international labor mobility in agriculture between Africa and Europe, particularly circular migration. The MOBILISE study aims to provide an evidence-based framework for analyzing labor mobility and offer key recommendations on legal migration pathways
MOBILISE Trainees gather for a final evaluation workshop before leaving the Netherlands
From Wednesday, September 25th to Friday, September 27th, all MOBILISE trainees in the Netherlands gathered at Boerderij Hoekelum, Bennekom, for the closing workshop of the first mobility program. This event marked the conclusion of their training journey before returning to their home countries. Over these three days, participants shared their experiences, reflected on their achievements, and celebrated what many described as a “life-changing experience.”
Evaluation mission concludes first MOBILISE Mobility Program in the Netherlands
From the 22nd to the 27th of September, an internal evaluation mission was conducted in the Netherlands to mark the conclusion of the first MOBILISE mobility program, aimed at providing international trainees with hands-on horticulture experience. For the occasion, Dr. Ali Elshereif, KFS Project Coordinator, and Dr. Rym Ben Sliman, ISACM Project Coordinator, joined MSM Project Director, Dr. Ir. Huub Mudde, and Project Manager, Mr. Stefano Locatelli, on a series of field visits across the country.
MOBILISE coaches visit trainees at their host companies
As part of the ongoing coaching done by staff of Aeres and Maastricht University, visits to the trainees at the companies were conducted over the past few weeks. The visits included a check-in with the trainees and company coaches to ensure the traineeship at the companies was going according to plan.
MOBILISE trainees connect and collaborate
From August26th to 30th, the MOBILISE trainees gathered at the Aeres Training Centre in Barneveld for a week of training, reflection, and connection with the project team and their MOBILISE coaches.
The final and 37th trainee from Egypt has also now joined the group in the Netherlands, completing the first batch of the program.
During the week, trainees shared their experiences in the traineeship so far, addressed any challenges they had encountered, and prepared for the final month of the traineeship in September.
Official kick-off event of MOBILISE Mobility period in Dronten
In celebration of the arrival of our 36 trainees and the start of the mobility period, the kick-off event of the international mobility phase of the MOBILISE: Circular Talent Program for Climate-Smart Agriculture project took place on July 4th, 2024, at the Aeres Campus in Dronten.
The event brought together several guests, including the Ambassadors of Ethiopia and Tunisia, some participating companies, the European Commission, ICMPD, and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Tunis. Staff members from Aeres and MSM, as well as other stakeholders, were also in attendance to celebrate this milestone.
Evaluation of MOBILISE pre-departure program
We are pleased to share the findings from our recent pre-departure program evaluation survey. These insights are crucial in informing the MOBILISE team that the participants started their traineeships well prepared.
As part of their preparation for the mobility period, our MOBILISE trainees had successfully completed a pre-departure training program. This included theoretical and practical exercises covering diverse topics related to the horticulture sector. Designed to ease the transition of trainees into the Dutch work and study culture, the program also featured a visit from the project management team to Egypt, Ethiopia, and Tunisia for a pre-departure meeting with students. Additionally, a webinar was delivered to provide insights into everyday life and culture in Dutch society.
International trainees arrive in the Netherlands for MOBILISE Program
On Sunday, June 30th, the Netherlands welcomed 36 international trainees for the mobility phase of the MOBILISE program. The group, comprising of 16 trainees from Tunisia, 14 from Ethiopia, and 6 from Egypt, landed in Amsterdam and will engage in a three-month training and work experience at Dutch horticulture companies. An additional trainee from Egypt is expected to join at the end of August, bringing the total number of participants in this first pilot to 37.
In-country meetings in preparation for departure
In June 2024, the MOBILISE Project Manager and Project Director embarked on a series of in-country meetings with partner institutions in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Tunisia. This initiative aimed to evaluate the activities implemented in the first year of the project and to prepare the group of students set to depart for their overseas placements.
Third meeting of Tunisian Advisory Group – June 2024
On June 19th, 2024, the National Advisory Group of Tunisia convened at Hotel Barcelo Concorde Les Berges du Lac for its third meeting since the official kick-off in September2023. The meeting was coordinated by Mr. Walid Gaddas, MSM Country Coordinator, and saw participation from a diverse array of representatives from governmental, academic, and the private sector.
National Advisory Group meeting Ethiopia – June 2024
On June 14th, 2024, the National Advisory Group meeting of Ethiopia took place at the Haile Grand Resort, Addis Ababa. Present were the representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hawassa University's College of Agriculture, and members of the project management team of MOBILISE.
Dutch companies play crucial role in MOBILISE Traineeship Program
The success of the MOBILISE program hinges significantly on the active participation of Dutch horticulture companies. After months of diligent efforts and continuous dialogues, the project team has secured traineeship placements and housing for 37 international trainees.
A total of 20 companies are participating in this first pilot phase. While eight additional companies were willing to host trainees, accommodation could not be secured in their vicinities. These 20 companies are distributed across six Dutch provinces: Drenthe, Friesland, Gelderland, Limburg, North Holland, and Overijssel, with notable clusters in IJsselmuiden and near Venlo.
Smooth passport and visa process for MOBILISE trainees
The MOBILISE program has successfully navigated the passport and visa process for its international trainees, ensuring they were ready to start their journey to the Netherlands. Initially, most trainees didn't have valid passports, essential for visa applications. The project team, alongside local partners, stepped in to help, even expediting processes when necessary.
Meet a member of the team!
We are delighted to highlight Mr. Walid Gaddas, MSM country coordinator for Tunisia. He shares his professional and personal passions and a heartfelt message for the trainees currently participating in the mobility program.
Labour Needs of the EU’s Green Transition
On March 21, the MOBILISE Project Director, Huub Mudde, PhD, was one of the speakers at the workshop on ‘Labour Needs of the EU’s Green Transition’. In his presentation he focused on how MOBILISE is contributing to overcoming the skills gap in the Netherlands, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Tunisia in the horticulture sector.
Pre-departure training program started in Egypt and Ethiopia
After the finalisation of the selection process in all three countries in the month of February, it was finally time to start the pre-departure training programme. On Saturday 2nd of March, the Egyptian group was the first one to kick-off, as the students from Kafrelsheik University had their first day of intensive training under the guidance of Dr. Mohamed Sharaf-Eldin, Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture. On Monday 11th, it was time for the Ethiopian group to start at Hawassa University, guided by Dr. Zerihun Demrew, Associate Professor at the College of Agriculture.
Recruitment of participants completed in all three countries
In the first two months of the year, the recruitment of the first cohort of participants to the MOBILISE Talent Development Program was completed in all three partner countries, starting in Egypt, then Ethiopia and finally Tunisia.
After the call for application was launched in December and early January in the respective countries, a pre-selection was carried out based on basic pre-conditional criteria, including the English proficiency to be tested by an online TOEFL test developed ad hoc by Aeres University.
Second meeting Tunisian Advisory Group
On February 2nd, the second meeting of the Tunisian Advisory Group was held in Tunis. It was the first meeting in person, after the first Group meeting took place online in December.
Discussions of the Group revolved around the pre-departure training program and the process for participants’ selection.
Curriculum development workshop in Tunisia
After the workshops held in Egypt and Ethiopia at the end of 2023, it was time for the Tunisian team to get hands-on the development of the pre-departure training program, to be implemented locally before the mobility phase in which students will travel to The Netherlands.
National and Regional Advisory Groups in Ethiopia
The National Advisory Group Ethiopia met for the first time in Haile Grand, Addis Ababa. This strategic group is foreseen to meet four times a year, in person or online. This group exists of senior representatives of the Ethiopian Ministry of Labour and Skills, Ministry of Education, the Netherlands Embassy, and the European Delegation government, two business associations (the Ethiopia Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association and the Ethiopia – Netherlands Business Association), Maastricht University, Hawassa University and Aeres Green Education Group from academia, as well as IOM. In the meeting, the purpose of the national advisory group and its composition was discussed.
Student selection - Ethiopia Jan 2024
On Thursday January 11, 83 students from Hawassa University in Ethiopia were taking the online TOEFL test. This was a well-management large logistical operation, with all students being transported to the ICT lab on another campus where they got help from the IT support office. 47 students met the minimum threshold of 440, which is a good result.
One week earlier, at Kafrelsheik University, only 24 students did the English text, with unfortunately low results. 13 students are being invited for an interview. In Tunisia, the student selection process will happen in February.
Curriculum development workshops in Egypt and Ethiopia
In November and December the experts of Aeres University animated workshops in Egypt and Ethiopia to shape the training program to be implemented at local university before the mobility phase.
From the 13th to the 17th of November, Daan Westrik and Mohamad Al Hassan from Aeres travelled to Kafrelsheikh (Egypt) to meet and work with the colleagues from the Faculty of Agriculture of Kafrelsheikh University.
First meeting Tunisian Advisory Group
On December 7th, the first meeting of the Tunisian Advisory Group was held online. Within project MOBILISE, the National Advisory Groups are part of the project governance and are composed of representatives from government, education, private sector and other stakeholders of relevance for the domains of the project. The Advisory Groups focus on country-specific project matters and their purpose is to advice, support and advocate on matters related to talent development and circular migration in horticulture.
First Steering Committee Meeting
On October 31st, the first meeting of the MOBILISE Steering Committee was held online under the chairing of Dr Diederik de Boer, Director of the MSM Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The steering committee is the highest governance body of the project and its purpose is to provide strategic leadership, orientation, and policy guidance to the Project Management Team & Project Director.
Institutional visit to Tunisia
On November 8-10, 2023, the MSM team, composed of Project manager Mr. Stefano Locatelli and Country coordinator Mr. Walid Gaddas, had a fruitful mission in Tunis to strengthen cooperation with local partners and advance with the design of the MOBILISE Tunisia talent program.
Labour Mobility Practitioners’ Network meeting
Some 100 practitioners from all over Europe met in Brussels on November 21 and 22 at the second in-person event of the Labour Mobility Practitioners’ Network, organized by ICMPD. Huub Mudde, MOBILISE Project Director, presented the project focusing on labour market information research and analysis.
Scoping studies for design of talent development program
As first key step of the project MSM and Aeres, with the collaboration of the local country coordinators, have designed and implemented four needs assessment and scoping studies, conducted in the Netherlands, Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
These studies map out available resources and lessons learned from other projects in the countries, as well as relevant actors, their roles and responsibilities, the labour needs in the horticulture sector and the possible mechanisms and targets for the talent development activities.
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