The Macroeconomic and Finance Policy Study sector of PSI conducted a brief meeting with AidData on Nov. 4, 2019 at the meeting hall of the center. AidData is a research and innovation lab located at the College of William & Mary (USA) that seeks to make development finance more transparent, accountable, and effective.
The meeting was commenced by a welcoming address by Ato Yirgalem Niguse, Research Coordinator of the Macroeconomic policy study sector, followed by the presentation of Ato Jemal Mohammed on the general overview of Policy Studies Institute (PSI). In his brief presentation, Ato Jemal reflected on historical background and main purposes, mission, objectives, functions, activities and tasks of the research institute. Ato Jemal also explained to the research delegates of AidData about major accomplishments of the institute in backing and impacting the Ethiopian government to adopt and revise policies in various sectors. Furthermore, he has raised the main research projects and project partners with which PSI is collaborating.
On the part of AidData, Mr. Alex, Research Director of the institute, stated the purpose, mission and functions of AidData. He stated that AidData is an academic research institute collaborating with many universities across America. According to Mr. Alex, AidData was established for the main purpose of undertaking rigorous research project on areas of policy formulation and analysis.
The participants of the meeting raised and discussed on different and important issues as part of information exchange and research experience sharing process. Some of the views and questions of the participants are related to PSI legal frameworks; kind and sources of data, data collection and data analysis methodology; the contribution of AidData in capacity building endeavor of PSI, the identification of research cooperation areas, and the particular research centers of PSI which AidData is intending to cooperate with.
The meeting was concluded by the agreement of both parties to meet again in December 2019.