Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni Highlight #8: Yohannes (John) Assefa

| 30 October 2026 |

We are highlighting the careers of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni. In this edition we focus on Yohannes (John) Assefa, who graduated from the MSc Occupational Therapy program at Queen's in 2021.

Following his graduation, John returned to Ethiopia and resumed his role as a lecturer and clinician at the University of Gondar (UoG), contributing to the development of occupational therapy education and services in the country. During his time at UoG, he was actively involved in teaching, mentoring students, and providing clinical services.

John taught Ethiopia's first cohort of occupational therapy students. Additionally, he served as the interim Occupational Therapy Coordinator for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, facilitating the recruitment of students to pursue their master's degrees in occupational therapy in Canada. John has also been involved in several research projects, including projects supporting internally displaced individuals and caregivers of children with disabilities.

Building on these experiences, John is currently pursuing his PhD at Australian Catholic University, focusing on improving access to evidence-based occupational therapy interventions for children with cerebral palsy in Ethiopia. His doctoral research investigates the outcomes and feasibility of delivering the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach through community rehabilitation health workers, with occupational therapy mentorship and caregiver involvement. As part of his research, John and his supervisory team visited Ethiopia and delivered training to occupational therapy staff, students, and community rehabilitation workers. His research seeks to explore practical approaches to expanding rehabilitation services in settings where access to qualified occupational therapists remains limited.

John is also keen to support newly graduated occupational therapists in Ethiopia. Through his involvement, his principal supervisor, using family funding, employed two occupational therapists at two locations in Ethiopia to expand occupational therapy services for children. Additionally, he collaborated with staff at Australian Catholic University to establish a mentorship program for Ethiopian occupational therapy graduates.

John has also proudly represented the Ethiopian Association of Occupational Therapists at two World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) meetings, held in Paris and Bangkok, and two Occupational Therapy Africa Regional Group (OTARG) meetings, held in Arusha, Tanzania, and Windhoek, Namibia.

John subsequently expanded his clinical and academic experience in Australia and is currently working at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne as a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy. He continues to contribute to occupational therapy education and research while maintaining his involvement in rehabilitation initiatives in Ethiopia.

Reflecting on his journey, John considers the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and his education at Queen's University instrumental in shaping his professional development, developing his clinical skills and becoming an occupational therapist. Although his career has taken him across Ethiopia, Canada, and Australia, he is committed to contributing to strengthening rehabilitation services, building local professional capacity, and improving opportunities for people with disabilities in Ethiopia.

School of Rehabilitation Therapy