This workshop is all about entrepreneurial skill; and basically, this concept is being encouraged by Federal Ministry. And the project - Applied Entrepreneurship Education Program (AEEP) truly indicates that AMU is doing things in the national interest, Arba Minch University President, Dr Feleke Woldeyes, said.
Dr Feleke, said, this addressing the partners and stakeholders in the concluding ceremony of AEEP external kick-off conference jointly organized by AMU and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Germany, at Paradise Lodge in Arba Minch from 11th to 13th December. Click here to see pictures from the workshop.
Emphasizing further he said, ‘‘Our motto is to churn out professionals who would create entrepreneurs thus empowering youth. It’s our privilege to forge ties with Germany’s Neu Ulm University and we would also collaborate in more relevant areas with our partners in the years to come.
However, it’s just beginning with AEEP, which I am sure would achieve the intended target. It will only be possible with the commitment from partnering universities and cooperation from stakeholders. Having seen the required synergy between us, I hope we would certainly reach to the desired destination,’’ he averred.
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr Agena Anjulo, while opening the conference, said, ‘‘With this project we will have 60 students trained who in turn will train others. AMU will have 7 staff members trained who would have very good training skill but the participation will be from HNU, Germany and AMU.
Finally, AMU will overtake the job, wherein our people would be instilling entrepreneurship skill to students. Later we will also initiate some other project or same project may be continued if it gives better results.
Things which were not considered earlier will be reviewed and covered. And now things are looking up for AMU and for Ethiopia. The strategic areas like innovative projects on education and entrepreneurship were not given due attention are apparently drawing the attention of many universities.’’
Vice-President for Research and Community Service, Dr Guchie Gulie, said, ‘‘The project that has reached to this level, has its beginning long back. I appreciate Sahay Solar for being the catalyst in bringing AMU and HNU together and we came out with a nice project.
The significance of this project is tremendous; and I am sure, it will not only encourage entrepreneurial tendencies in youth but also contribute to a greater extent in our national GDP.’’
The AEEP project sponsor, Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) - German Academic Exchange Service’s Ethiopia based Director, Dr Gerald Heusing, said, ‘‘DAAD would be contributing 400 thousands Euro out of total estimated funding of 500 thousands Euro. And remaining 100 thousands Euro would come from partnering universities and business partners.’’
He further revealed that DAAD is funding 17 projects across the world of which 7 are in Africa and one (AEEP) in Ethiopia. ‘‘We are funding this project under our motto – university-business-partnership; and I am very optimistic that it is going to be successful because it has very good plan and reliable partners.’’
Allaying the fears over uncovered issues, Dr Gerald said, ‘‘I am open for the flexibility in the project which will be carried by the partnering institutions in the coming days.’’
The first day saw the speeches from AMU, HNU and DAAD, project and participants’ introduction. On the second day participants have deliberated on AEEP contents & cooperation potentials.
Topics i.e. The AEEP education approach & development procedure: How can methods and outcomes can be used for the other organizations or initiatives, start-up financing – The AEEP linkage through business plan conferences: How can students be supported after the business plan conference and micro-entrepreneur development etc. were discussed in details.
Input presentations were done by German side project coordinators Mr Phillip Travers, Dr Thomas Hanichen, Dr Guchie Gulie and AMU-AEEP project coordinator, Mr Nathanael Chuta from AMU, National Project Coordinator, AISEC Ethiopia, Mr Ebenezer Mensa, GIZ Advisor for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship, Ethiopian Ministry of Education, Mr Ralf Elben, Director General, Federal Micro & Small Enterprises Development Agency, Gebremeskel Challa Motalo and Yefikir Design Plc Executive Director, Fikirte, PV Expert from Adama Science & Technology Institute, Mr Tafesse Abera, Pan-African Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant, Ms Victoria Endeshaw, V3 Power plc Director, Mr Aran Eales and others.
The recap of the conference was done by professional cartoonist Yemisrach Yetneberk. Mr Phillip Travers and Mr Nathanael Chuta were the moderators. Internal kick-off conference was carried out at AMU Main Campus on December 10.
By Philips Joseph