A Sense of Calling


A sense of calling to help raise the next generation of professionals is stronger now than ever. After the Fulbright assignments in Zimbabwe (http://intozimbabwe.blogspot.com, https://www.cies.org/article/industry-meets-academia) and Surinam were over, I kept an eye out for additional opportunities. What I found so far is that opportunities to teach in my field of computer engineering are difficult to discover, whereas opportunities in various liberal arts are relatively plentiful. Still, I have worked with foundations that are preparing course material for use in developing nations (http://trinityeducationglobal.org, https://www.saylor.org).

Now comes an opportunity from the US Embassy to teach in Ethiopia. Ethiopians are undergoing a significant and positive evolution and the United States is lending a hand. They opened up a fair number of opportunities to teach in one of two colleges. I chose the University of Gondar since their orientation is more toward practical applications, the understanding and transition of theory for industry. As a senior research engineer, that is also my orientation.

    (Staff photograph, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.)

At this early stage, I do not even know to which department I will be assigned. Having degrees in engineering and computer science, it is possible for me to be assigned to either department. My proposal spoke to a distributed messaging/storage/computer architecture that could provide the foundation for applications in precision agriculture. So, I could go to that department as well. Whatever the university’s needs are, that is what I will focus on.

Of primary concern as one contemplates entry into a new country is gaining a basic understanding of the nation and its people. Books in the CultureSmart series are very good for that. The particular one I am reading (https://amzn.to/2yZrel4) gives an excellent overview. Like other books in the series, it is not a tourist guide but an introduction to culture and people. There is some information on tourism but only within the context of a broader discussion.  At issue is the book’s focus on Addis Ababa, the largest city and the nation’s capital. Gondar is where the university is located. A second book will be needed to gain some additional early insights.

Something I am hoping to do for community service is assist students with career development. It is through my efforts in career development that I originally found my way to Zimbabwe. Combining a long career in industry with a Career Development Facilitator certificate from the National Career Development Association (USA), I bring a practical perspective to the question of how to become an in-demand professional (http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor). In Zimbabwe I worked through the career and chaplain offices. Am hoping to make similar arrangements at University of Gondar.

So now a new opportunity to help raise the next generation of professionals begins, and a new adventure in another country. May God be praised. May he grant his grace and strength.

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