Raya University, in Collaboration with MUSC, Hosts International HIV/AIDS Symposium in Commemoration of World HIV/AIDS Day 2025

December 7, 2025, Raya University, through its International Relations for Research, Partnerships and Academics, Directorate, in collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and the Center for Global Health (CGH), and Gezana BBT foundation successfully hosted an international symposium on HIV/AIDS to mark the 2025 World HIV/AIDS Day.
The symposium took place at the Raya University Senate Hall both face-to-face and via online video conference from MUSC, bringing together distinguished global researchers, regional experts and academic leaders from Tigray Health Research Institute, Axum, and Raya universities, the cultural trope of Kin Bahli Tigray as well as the organizers of the symposium from MUSC, who are global public health professionals dedicated to advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The event was moderated by Prof. John Vena, the founding chair of DPHS at MUSC and a pivotal figure in strengthening our partnership with Axum and Mekelle universities. Setting the tone for the program, Prof. Michael Sweat (Ph.D.), a renowned global health expert and Director of the Center for Global Health at MUSC, opened the event with convincing remarks emphasizing the urgent need for sustained collaboration and innovative strategies to address the evolving challenges of HIV prevention, treatment, and care.
Following the opening, Prof. Mulugeta Gebregziabher, the key organizer of the event, a distinguished Biostatistician and global health researcher, delivered a powerful overview titled “The Double Burden: HIV Incidence and Prevalence in Conflict Settings.” In his presentation, he accentuated how the conflicts disrupted health systems, displaced populations, and created a surge in new HIV infections due to reduced access to care, heightened GBV incidents, and severe social instability in emphasis in Eastern Africa.
In a short brief presentation, Dr. Amanuel Haile, Head of the Tigray Health Bureau, outlined the grave public health challenges facing the region. He emphasized the devastation of health facilities during the conflict, the sharp rise in HIV/AIDS cases, and the severe funding constraints hindering response efforts.
Adding vital local perspective, Tsirha Hregot, researcher and epidemiologist at Raya University’s College of Health Sciences, presented her findings on “Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Its Role in Increasing HIV Transmission after the Start of the War in Tigray.” Her evidence-based analysis illustrated the devastating intersection between conflict, GBV, and public health vulnerabilities to HIV/AIDS.
Nigus Desalegn, lecturer in Adult Health Nursing at Raya University, presented his study on the “Trend Analysis of Pediatric HIV/AIDS in Tigray,” outlining the alarming rise in pediatric cases linked to weakened health services, disrupted PMTCT programs, and the long-term impacts of the war. In addition to these key presentations, several international researchers delivered findings focused on HIV/AIDS trends in the broader East African context. Scholars from Mekelle and Axum Universities also shared timely research aligned with regional HIV/AIDS challenges, contributing to a stronger understanding of the problem at both local and regional levels.
After a brief comment from Gebreamlak Gidey on behalf of Aksum University, the symposium concluded with remarks from Dr. Asmelash Tassew (Associate Professor), Director of International Relations for Research and Academics at Raya University, and Sibhatu Gebrehiwet (Assistant Prof.), Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences from RU’s side. Both expressed the University’s strong commitment to expanding collaborative research, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge exchange with MUSC and CGH. They also conveyed deep appreciation to Prof. Mulugeta Gebregziabher for his leadership, continued partnership, and unwavering support in strengthening global and local academic and research linkages.
The event concluded with a shared call for continued research collaboration, resource mobilization, and innovative interventions to address the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS in Tigray and the region.
WAD2025 Theme
“Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”
ዓመኤ 2018 መሪሕ ቓል
“ዕንቅፋታት ኤድስ ብምስጋር ለውጢ ነምፅእ”
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Knowledge for Societal Change!
Raya University
Public and International Relations Executive
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