Institute of Technology’s Faculty of Mechanical & Production Engineering has hosted a daylong workshop to promote an undergraduate program – ‘Production Engineering’ across Ethiopia in the presence of all stakeholders including delegates from various industries on 30th March, 2019, at New Hall, Main Campus. AMU is the first university in the country to launch this potential program.Click here to see the Pictures
The workshop began with Dr Damtew Darza and Dr Yechale Kebede felicitating all delegates from industries’ with mementoes to acknowledge their presence. Later university instructor Adane Kassa giving a lowdown on program, said, in first two years this UG program lay emphasis on basic engineering fundamentals, material science and processing; in next three years it offers engineering concepts with modern manufacturing system, product design, costing, etc.
University President Dr Damtew Darza, opening the program said promotion of ‘Production Engineering’ is crucial as Ethiopian government is emphasizing on creating skilled manpower in several sectors to spur national economy and transform it from agriculture-led to industrialized one to make Ethiopia as a middle-income nation; in line with this strategy AMU is robustly producing professionals having problem-solving approach to suit market demands and ultimately make society a better place.
He adds, therefore, this workshop to promote this program is vitally significant in harnessing industrial economy and with your professional inputs AMU will focus on all underlying aspects and hope outcome will be as expected, he averred.
Welcoming participants, IoT’s Scientific Director, Dr Alemayehu Chufamo, said, having understood need to create professionals in this potential arena, AMU is equipping graduates with apt knowledge that satisfies emerging market demands and while doing so, we have realized the importance of its promotion and deliberate with all to take your valuable inputs and make it comprehensively advanced program that encompasses cutting-edge components required to serve industry in truly competitive spirit.
Atakilt Mulu, Faculty Dean opined that production and management are two important components in the industry, hence for engineering business, this program is a perfect match; however we would consider important inputs from across the board that may find its place in elective courses to make this program more comprehensive. And it’s promotion is imperative so that everyone must know its potential.
Similarly, Prof Srinivasan Narasimhan in his informative talks on ‘Changing Trend’, said, production sector is the backbone of economy and presently market is in constant state of flux and volatile, for today it’s absolutely customer-oriented as their fast changing behavior is dictating the terms; therefore, if a company wants to survive and thrive, it must know how to serve people with novelty that suits their demands.
Underscoring further, he adds, nowadays flexibility, product customization and cost factor play pivotal role in industry; now globally only 17% items are made-to-stock to suit customers’ need and its experiencing a grand shift from make-to-stock to make-to-order. Underlying changing trend he said, one must have market intelligence to visualize as to what customer would ask next and get ready to serve them.
Delegates from different industries reacted positively; Admasu Adane, General Manager of Addis Ababa Plastic Factory PLC, said, industry must support such professionals for it’s important as Ethiopia is getting industrialized, these skilled manpower will be great asset in realizing our ultimate goal to boost economy.
Addis Ababa-based Infrastructure Machine Industry’s Research and Development Head, Eskinder Girma, expressed need of such graduates as Ethiopian developmental goal is fully hinged upon them and this program, he emphasized, these graduates equally must know the nitty-gritty of economy.
Likewise, Ethiojobs Portal personnel Hirut Tesfaye lauded AMU’s initiative in launching such program and reiterated that job prospect for such skilled graduates will always be there.
All stakeholders had an intense discussion on related aspects, while queries were answered by relevant individuals; Expatriate staff Sojan P Timothy conducted the program.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)