To accelerate research momentum that will synergize university-industry Partnership, AMU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hawassa-based South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region Information Communication Technology Agency at Senate Hall on 15th December, 2016. Click here to see the Pictures.
AMU President, Dr Damtew Darza, and SNNPR-ICTA Head, Mr Aynalem Tsegaye, signed the agreement for three years in the presence of top officials from both parties; the MoU is extended and can be amended by mutual consent.
In his address, Dr Damtew, said, '‘This agreement will strengthen collaboration on research, consultancy, internship and technology incubation activities. Primarily, it will structure close coordination to conduct ICT-centric trainings and encourage graduates to harness entrepreneurial talents by facilitating university-industry linkage on the principles of mutual benefit.’’
SNNPR-ICTA Head, Mr Aynalem Tsegaye, informed, an ICT incubation centre will soon be established in AMU to inculcate business aptitude among graduates that will make them
self-reliant. And for this, Minister of Information and Communication Technology is willing to allocate monetary budget as Ethiopia is pursuing this global focus, he quips.
The delegate of University-Industry Linkage office, Dr Tizazu Gebre, in his brief address, said, synergies between universities and industry play crucial role in securing and leveraging additional resources for promotion, innovation and tech transfer. But knowledge and trainings students get in many African universities are inadequate, therefore such joint venture will strengthen university-industry link and fill the lacuna in this direction.
The proposed incubation centre, which is likely to be set up in a year, will impart training on business planning, marketing policy of nation, software and network development i.e. local & wide area network, webpage, portal system, etc.
The agreement will focus on joint research in areas of mutual interest, exchange facilities and equipment for projects and incubation activities. SNNPR-ICTA will provide computers, photocopiers, equipments and guidelines to AMU, which in turn, facilitates infrastructure like rooms and manpower to facilitate trainings.
Both parties having understandably recognized mutual interest in research and technology transfer, student internship, technology incubation and tailor-made trainings vowed to foster the said activities in collaboration with higher education institutions and industry in the nation.
Exchange of scholarly information on relevant subjects and potential joint projects when appropriate are on the top of agenda. The consensus on release or publication of research data, internship, ensuring timely completion of task and managing required resources for both will be handled amicably.
The administrative responsibilities pertaining to the pact will be carried out by AMU’s Vice President for Research and Community Service, Dr Guchie Gulie and University-Industry Linkage & Technology Transfer Directorate Director, Dr Abebe Girma while Mr Aynalem Tsegaye will do the needful for his organization.
The ownership pertaining to patent rights, copyrights and intellectual property rights to any discoveries, inventions and products will be shared on pro-data basis; any dispute arising with regards to partnership will be settled with mutual understanding.
Dr Dikaso Umbushe anchored the program; Vice President for Business and Development, Mrs Rahel Kitila, some of the directors and deans in attendance lauded this noble initiative.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)