DEMERA Inaugurates Digital Upskilling Program at Jigjiga University

With established partnerships across major universities in Ethiopia, including Wollo, Addis Ababa, and Bahir Dar University, DEMERA marked another strategic expansion on November 15. On this date, DEMERA and Jigjiga University officially inaugurated their collaborative Digital Upskilling and Certification Program through a virtual kickoff event, bringing market-aligned IT training and global certification pathways directly to students in the region.

The virtual event brought together DEMERA's team, stakeholders, Jigjiga University administration, and students to officially launch an e-learning program designed to enable students to supplement their academic coursework with hands-on IT training and pursue industry-recognized certifications. The program was hosted by Eskinder Cherinet, DEMERA's board member and local representative in Ethiopia, with opening remarks from Jigjiga University's Acting Vice President for Research and Technology, Dr. Sharmarke Dugsiye. DEMERA Chairwoman and CEO Yetemegn Kebede and board member Mokonnen Ayele joined from the Netherlands to present the initiative and demo the platform.

Yetemegn outlined the program's core objectives: bridging the skills gap between academia and industry, building institutional capacity, advancing gender equality, and unlocking career opportunities for Ethiopia's youth. She also spoke to DEMERA's mission and the diverse team working to advance digital opportunity across the nation.

As a woman working in IT herself, Yetemegn emphasized the importance of empowering women in technology. In her speech, she shared how she actively motivates female students to pursue IT education and careers, reminding them that digital skills create pathways to independence, leadership, and opportunity. She reinforced that this platform offers young women a space to develop technical confidence and envision themselves as future innovators.

She highlighted that students will be able to supplement their academic coursework with practical IT skills, pursue Microsoft certifications, and strengthen essential soft skills communication, collaboration, and problem-solving that employers expect alongside technical expertise.

Board member Mokonnen Ayele provided an in-depth explanation of the Percipio platform, demonstrating how students can navigate the system, track their progress, and access certification-oriented learning paths. He strongly encouraged students to take this opportunity seriously, reminding them that international certification can significantly enhance their career prospects both within Ethiopia and beyond.

The session also featured Foyza Damtew, one of the first students to join DEMERA's program at Wollo University and now a Microsoft Azure Administrator–certified professional. She spoke openly about how the DEMERA program transformed her life, professionally and personally, and encouraged new students at Jigjiga to fully commit to the training. She stressed that opportunities like this do not come often, and urged them to approach the program with dedication, discipline, and persistence so they too can become globally certified and career-ready.

Developed in partnership with Skillsoft, the platform enables students to access certification-oriented, job-relevant training without leaving campus. For Jigjiga University, the program strengthens its commitment to producing graduates with both academic knowledge and practical expertise equipping them to thrive in today's digital economy.