Project
Addressing Adolescent Nutritional Health in Educational Migration
Bule Hora University (BHU), through its Directorate of Research, International Relations, and Partnership, is proud to announce its active collaboration on a high-profile international research initiative. Entitled "Identifying Strategies to Support Adolescent Nutritional Health when Migrating from Rural to Urban Areas for Education in Ethiopia" (Project Reference: PP29586 / OPP373), this 18-month project is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) under UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
In Ethiopia, thousands of adolescents transition from rural family homesteads to urban or semi-urban educational centers every year. While higher education serves as a cornerstone for personal and national growth, this educational migration introduces acute vulnerabilities.
Nutritional Disruption
Moving away from home-based food systems exposes young people to irregular diets, economic pressures, and food insecurity.
The Vulnerability Window
Adolescence (ages 10–19) demands stable, nutrient-dense diets to support rapid physical growth, cognitive development, and long-term health foundations.
Lack of Institutional Support Frameworks
Migrant students frequently lack robust social safety nets and tailored campus or municipal health frameworks to safeguard their nutrition.
This 18-month project directly addresses this critical issue of nutritional well-being among adolescents transitioning to urban life for educational purposes. By combining the diverse expertise of an international consortium, the project will conduct thorough research, develop culturally appropriate interventions, and evaluate their impact on improving adolescent nutrition. This research will generate valuable evidence to inform policies and programs in Ethiopia, ultimately contributing to the enhanced health and well-being of a vulnerable population.
Project Fact Sheet
• Jimma University (Ethiopia)
• Canterbury Christ Church University (UK)
The formal partnership kicked off with a high-profile stakeholder engagement workshop hosted at Bule Hora University. Opening the workshop, BHU President Dr. Birhanu Lemma underscored the immense value of international cooperation for emerging institutions, emphasizing BHU’s strong institutional commitment to addressing regional and national development challenges.
Research and Assessment
Evaluating the baseline nutritional status, dietary habits, and environmental challenges faced by rural-to-urban migrant students.
Intervention Development
Co-designing and implementing targeted, practical nutrition interventions tailored to urban educational environments alongside university leadership, local health actors, and the students themselves.
Evaluation
Rigorously assessing intervention effectiveness to shape scalable public health frameworks, capacity building, and future policy decisions.
DigHealth Project
Welcome to DigHealth at Bule Hora University
As part of our continuous commitment to academic excellence, regional development, and modern innovation, Bule Hora University (BHU) is proud to be a key institutional partner in the international Erasmus+ initiative: "Micro-credentials in Digital Health for Ethiopia and Somalia (DigHealth)" (Project Reference: 101179425).
Co-funded by the European Union under the Capacity Building in Higher Education programme, DigHealth is a transformative three-year journey running from December 2024 through November 2027. BHU is actively collaborating with an elite multidisciplinary consortium of 10 partner organizations across 5 countries to modernize healthcare education and bridge the digital divide in remote and underserved communities.
At Bule Hora University, our mission extends beyond our campus boundaries to address pressing societal needs. Within the DigHealth framework, BHU plays a vital regional and strategic role:
Stakeholder Needs Analysis
Conducting comprehensive studies on the education and training requirements of local healthcare and academic sectors to ensure the curriculum targets real-world challenges.
Regional Dissemination & Engagement
Leading efforts to share project milestones, research findings, and opportunities with local administrations, government officials, and community stakeholders.
Curriculum Modernization
Collaborating with national and international partners to integrate flexible micro-credentials in telemedicine, e-health, and digital literacy into higher education.
In regions facing geographic isolation and infrastructural constraints, accessing quality healthcare is a persistent challenge. The DigHealth project addresses this by empowering healthcare professionals and students with cutting-edge digital competencies.
European Partners
- RIT Croatia (Project Coordinator)
- University of Piraeus (Greece)
- Catholic University of Croatia
- IHF asbl (Belgium)
East African Partners
- Bule Hora University
- Addis Ababa University
- Jigjiga University
- University of Hargeisa
- Horseed International University
- Somali Education and Youth Development Action
Innovative Curriculum Development
Creating specialized, modular micro-credential programs totaling 30 ECTS credits focusing on digital health, electronic health records, and telemedicine.
Capacity Building
Equipping BHU and partner university educators with advanced pedagogical methods and digital tools through specialized international training.
Graduate Employability
Enhancing the job market readiness of medical and technology graduates, ensuring they are fully equipped for modern, tech-enabled clinical environments.
Digital Infrastructure
Upgrading local educational technologies to facilitate seamless e-learning and remote medical consultations.
Join Us on the Digital Transformation Journey
Bule Hora University remains dedicated to fostering international collaboration, driving impactful research, and uplifting community health standards through digital innovation. Through DigHealth, we are helping build a resilient, digitally empowered healthcare future for Ethiopia and the wider region.
To stay updated on BHU’s local project activities, upcoming training sessions, and collaborative milestones, visit the official DigitalHealth Project website for news and updates or reach out to our institutional project representatives.
Visit Official DigHealth Website