‘‘The ultimate objective of Arba Minch University’s Institute of Technology (IoT) and Arba Minch Technical and Vocational Education and Training College’s (TVET) collaboration is to enhance technology transfer. Till date, we were in research and acquiring theoretical knowledge, but now it’s time to translate it into practice for the benefit of the community,’’ said the Scientific Director, Dr Negash Wagesho.

Dr Negash was speaking in the wake of talks he has had with the delegation from Arba Minch Polytechnic College (AMPC), headed by its Dean, Mr Mala Maldaye, on December 31, 2013. AMU-AMPC talks have chiseled out the modalities to be used for their three-point joint venture on Human Resource capacity building, technology transfer and research & community outreach service.

Unraveling further about new project, he said, ‘‘We have signed a general MoU few years back, that linked IoT to TVET. This time we will include a workable action plan having specific areas in the MoU, that rests on three basic pillars, capacity building, technology transfer and research & community outreach service.’’

Under this newly forged collaboration, AMU’s specific responsibilities would be as under. In capacity building, IoT professionals would enhance TVET college students and instructors’ skills by instilling trainings on vocational and managerial courses.

On technology transfer, he said, ‘‘If there are some technological packages which should be incubated, developed and converted into actual prototype then we can transfer it to the public. And if there are some identified tech packages from both partners, then professionals from both institutions would develop technologies that is purchasable and affordable for the community.’’

Lastly, both partners working in the areas of research & community outreach service should come with some practical and applied research ideas; specifically, the technology brought from abroad would be modified and customized to our conditions i.e. low-cost house construction practiced in Germany, would be tailor-made for our socio-economic-environmental conditions.’’

It’s just a beginning, later it might get expanded and developed further. We would produce agro processing and agricultural implements and make it available to farming community. Other TVETs and even Ministry of Science and Technology would be involved in future.

This collaboration would be periodically relooked as per the changing needs of the people and market. IoT’s three departments, Civil, Architecture & Urban planning and Mechanical Engineering would primarily be working in this project. However, respective departments would identify individuals,’’ he averred.

‘‘We have science and technology unit at the national level, currently there is lot of tech outputs by individuals that are patented. Now Ministry of Science and Technology want institutions like ours to get that detail documents and customize to our conditions and manufacture it. Our focal persons would decide and identify the areas and technologies to be worked into.

With Ethiopian population reaching over 80 million mark, where most of them can’t afford high cost building, low-cost housing is nice, cheap and the best option. It can be built within 10 days and one-story building might cost ETB 135000. Prototype will be built at AMU or TVET campus to be used to train professionals from both institutions including senior students and small enterprise people.

AMU-TVET partnership is indefinite, at the inception, we might get fund from abroad to establish training centre. As of now, with budget available from AMU, we have to transfer technology. In future, we may launch wider project with budget at the national level, Dr Negash added.

Stating the purpose, Mr Mala Maldaye wants to acquire appropriate technologies from AMU i.e. water technology and after testing it in small & medium enterprises, it will be used to stimulate economy. Technology that is feasible and beneficial for community like agriculture, we will produce harvesting machines and equipments in construction area which are portable and affordable.

Under the stated partnership, AMPC will have to indentify skill gaps that will be filled by AMU. Tech transfer is the key area, where it would avail existing technical knowhow from AMU which is purchasable, affordable and effective in producing products that will evolve community and benefit them.

He said, ‘‘Japanese concept, ‘Kaizan,’ will govern the project to streamline, smoothen and standardize work culture. It will follow the development of value chain in producing drive and interpreting it in capacity building areas. Thereafter, prototype based on the selected tech will be produced, and training to the enterprises will be offered, who in turn will sell the products to the end-users - customers.’’

The meeting was attended by Vice President for Research and Community Service, Dr Guchie Gulie, IoT Managing Director, Dr Hussain, the project focal person Mr Tamiru and others.

Vice Dean and Technology Transfer & Industry Extension Core Work Process Coordinator, Mr Miftah Hajifedilu and Construction Sector Coordinator, Mr Hiwot Abayneh held brief for Arba Minch Polytechnic College.

By Philips Joseph