AMU’s University-Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer Directorate recently has inked a general pact with International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, an NGO to maintain collaborative efforts of university and IIRR in human resource development, Institutional capacity building, research, internship, technology transfer, etc. in next five years beginning from 2019.
University President, Dr Damtew Darza and UIL-TTD Director, Dr Tolera Seda, from AMU and IIRR Directors, Mr Zerihun Lemma and Dr Workneh Nigatu, signed this five-year agreement.

Dr Tolera Seda said, it’s a general agreement, a platform that paves the way for specific agreements to achieve objectives related with common vision contributing in development of inclusively collaborative research outputs in generating knowledge relevant to needs of local communities impacting lives. Primarily our focus is to translate multiple research outputs into solutions for industrial and social needs.

This alliance is aimed at building nation of intelligent and inspired individuals to create future innovators, who can effectively contribute to making Ethiopia a better place to live and work in. Thereby, both parties are expected to take additional steps in creating a consortium around ‘Sector-Industry-Academia Alliance Model’ by expanding alliance network to include other exceptional and visionary organizations in Ethiopia and abroad.

It’s learnt that Terms of Reference (ToR) pertaining to research, capacity building and partnership will be an exclusively collaborative venture that must satisfy needs of both partners. Its undertakings, research outputs, transfer of generated technologies, knowledge, etc. will be worked out prior to implementation and other corresponding modalities will also be hammered out in consultation.

Training is one of key components of this alliance, for which qualified human resources at all signatory institutions are meant to devote their intellect and skill for the benefit of both parties; and for this ToR would be prepared by both parties.

MoU further states that physical resources at all institutions could be utilized rationally for specific projects with pre-arranged time-table. It also advocates joint-project and obtaining public funding for it. Both IIRR and AMU will finance joint projects and assign joint monitoring and evaluation team on all activities.

IIRR is a non-governmental organization that deals in research, educational and community development organization focused on empowerment, innovation and transformation to address rural poverty. And headquartered in Canada, IIRR operates in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar, Philippines, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Annually through training, study programs, south-south exchange, technical support, coaching and projects partnership, it influences over 100,000 people to become agents of learning and advocates for change in their communities.

(Corporate Communication Directorate)