Prof. Bahru Zewdie

Prof. Bahru Zewde, Emeritus Professor of History at Addis Ababa University, is a pioneering scholar and a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s academic community. He is a Founding Fellow and former Principal Vice President of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, and currently serves as President of the Association of Ethiopian Historians. His academic leadership includes roles as Chair of the History Department and Director of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies.

His influence spans the continent through leadership in pan-African scholarly bodies such as the Association of African Historians and OSSREA, where he served as Resident Vice President and editor of its journal. He also directed the Forum for Social Studies in Addis Ababa and served on boards of institutions including TrustAfrica, the Ethiopian Heritage Trust, Good Governance Africa–Horn of Africa, and Addis Ababa University. Prof. Bahru has edited major journals like the Journal of Ethiopian Studies and Africa Review of Books, while earning fellowships and recognition from global institutions including the British Academy and Humboldt University.

Internationally, Prof. Bahru has held visiting professorships in Europe and the U.S. and consulted for organizations such as the Carnegie Corporation, African Union, and Ethiopian Airlines. A prolific historian of Ethiopia and Africa, his work continues to shape scholarly discourse and policy, making him a prominent voice in African historical and intellectual circles.

Dr. Dawit Mekonnen

Dr. Dawit Mekonnen is an Associate Professor at Addis Ababa University and a renowned figure in curriculum development, teacher education, and education policy across Ethiopia and beyond. He holds a PhD in Education from the University of Leipzig and brings over two decades of academic, research, and consultancy experience. Throughout his career, he has led transformative initiatives with organizations such as UNESCO, the World Bank, and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education—driving national strategies, curriculum reforms, and teacher development aligned with global standards.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Dawit has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications on topics including curriculum, literacy, educational equity, and teacher development. His research is widely cited and has shaped policy and practice across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Known for his commitment to evidence-based policymaking, he actively advises on reform and assessment and contributes to capacity-building efforts at both national and international levels.

As a keynote speaker at the 41st AEAA Conference, Dr. Dawit brings a wealth of experience and perspective to discussions on educational assessment, equity, and innovation. His contributions are expected to resonate strongly with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers striving to improve learning outcomes and educational quality across the continent and beyond.

Dr. David Njengere, MBS

Dr. David Njengere (MBS), is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya National Examinations Council.

He holds a PhD in Education, Master of Philosophy in English and a Bachelor of Education in English and Literature, from the Moi University, Kenya. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Curriculum Design and Development from the International Bureau of Education (UNESCO) and Open University of Tanzania; and a Certificate in Design and Development of Large-Scale Assessments from Education and Testing Services, Princeton, New Jersey. He is also a fullbright fellow under the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Programme, Vanderbilt University, USA.

Dr. Njengere has a wealth of experience as an educationist and has been involved in many initiatives in education reforms at national, regional and global levels. He chaired some of the East African Community Technical Committees Sessions that culminated in the Framework for Harmonization of Education Systems and Curricula.

He has also been a resource person with the International Bureau of Education (UNESCO) on several assignments, including being a facilitator with the Government of Malaysia on curriculum-related issues.

Prof. Belay Tefera

Prof. Belay Tefera is a Full Professor of Psychology with a PhD from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, specializing in early childhood development and learning. He has held several prominent academic and administrative roles, including Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Journal of Behavioral Studies and Associate Dean of the College of Education at Addis Ababa University.

He also served as President of the Ethiopian Psychologists’ Association and has been an active contributor to national educational reform efforts through his membership in various Ministry of Education task forces and councils. His leadership extends to board memberships in organizations such as the African Center for Early Childhood Development and About All Children Africa.

Prof. Belay Tefera’s scholarly contributions are extensive, with authorship of seven books and over 230 additional publications, including journal articles, book chapters, and research reports. He serves on multiple editorial and advisory boards for academic journals and has received more than 30 certificates of appreciation and recognition for his service. His professional affiliations include the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, the International Forum of Researchers in Education, and OSSREA. His work reflects a deep commitment to advancing psychological research, educational development, and early childhood care in Ethiopia and globally,

Prof. Ann A. O’Connell

Ann A. O’Connell serves as a faculty member in educational statistics and evaluation at Rutgers University. Her scholarly work focuses on multilevel modeling, the application of research evidence in practice, and the evaluation of educational and public health interventions. She has led numerous national and international initiatives aimed at strengthening methodological capacity among applied researchers and was the principal investigator for a U.S. Institute of Education Sciences–funded project to broaden access to evidence-based tools.

Professor O’Connell maintains long-standing collaborations with Ethiopian universities, supporting research in STEM education, early childhood learning, and instructional practices. As a Fulbright Scholar, she taught at Addis Ababa University and several other institutions across Ethiopia. She holds an Ed.D. in Measurement and Evaluation from Teachers College, Columbia University; an M.S. in Statistics from the University of Connecticut; and a B.A. in Mathematics from Western New England College.