Leadership in times of trouble. The power of agility and resilience during a double crisis at Mekelle University, Ethiopia.

Mekelle University, located in the Northern region of Ethiopia, became a preferred international partner of Thomas More University College of Belgium in 2018. We jointly pioneered in interdisciplinary ICE activities (Innovation, Creativity and Enterpreneurship) for students who are eager to take up an extra challenge on top of their study. We focused on personal leadership, intercultural collaboration and creating impact by addressing wicked societal problems within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. In March last year, the university had to close due to the pandemic. Online education was a challenge, and only possible for master and doctoral students. Anticipating that travel between our institutions would not be possible, we decided to redirect funds and develop a COIL (collaborative online international learning) on tackling global challenges. Meanwhile Mekelle university played a critical role in containing the Covid-19 epidemic, by organizing testing, quarantine and treatment facilities. By the time students were called back to campus in November, a regional conflict erupted. Two months of heavy fighting followed. Despite the disruptive situation (no connectivity and lack of basic essentials) staff managed to guide their students through the last assignments and graduation could take place. Under very difficult circumstances, the university continues to seek solutions for thousands of students who can no longer return to their university.