Zelalem is completing his MSc in Occupational Therapy, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia. He completed his BSc in Physiotherapy at the University of Gondar in 2016 and worked as an assistant lecturer and clinician at the Department of Physiotherapy at University of Gondar, Ethiopia prior to his studies with the Mastercard Foundation. Occupational Therapy enables people to participate in the activities of everyday life. In Ethiopia, there is a critical shortage of rehabilitation professionals. There is currently no education or training in Occupational Therapy in the country. Due to this, many people with disabilities who require Occupational Therapy services do not have access to Occupational Therapy. The lack of Occupational Therapy professionals contributes to the social exclusion and the poor quality of life of people with disabilities in Ethiopia. Zelalem’s goal is to develop the profession of Occupational Therapy in Ethiopia by engaging in clinical services and teaching. The collaboration between University of Gondar and Queens University is unique and great collaboration. Through this collaboration, he has gained invaluable international experience and various capacity development opportunities in his field of study. He also gained networking opportunities with experts at Queens.

One of the main goals of Occupational Therapy is to achieve inclusion and social integration of people with disabilities using the skills and knowledge Zelalem has gained during his studies at Queens. As an Occupational Therapy, he aspires to work in advocacy for inclusion, assisting disabled students and supporting teachers in inclusive classrooms and removing barriers for quality education for people with disabilities in Ethiopia and Africa.

Haben is completing his MSc in Occupational Therapy, is a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia. He received his BSc in Psychiatry from University of Gondar. He worked for 18 months as an assistant lecturer and clinician at University of Gondar Hospital.  Haben wanted to be part of the new OT program in Gondar. Being a pioneer in the upcoming OT department is an exciting opportunity and led him to join the MCF project. The collaboration between the University of Gondar and Queens University has provided a good opportunity for instructors at University of Gondar to get advanced education in a prestigious university like Queen’s.

As an occupational therapist, Haben’s job will involve helping people with disabilities to engage in their activities. Part of daily activities include attending educational institutions which demands an inclusive and accessible approach.