ARBA MINCH (AMU)–Arba Minch University (AMU) signed a five-year agreement with Leather Industry Development Institute (LIDI), headquartered in Addis Ababa, on 12th February, 2018, to facilitate technical training, develop BSc study program and harness joint research to make leather sector competitive in Ethiopia and world over by producing skilled professionals.
AMU’s Vice President for Research and Community Service, Dr. Simon Shibru, taking look at LIDI’s robust infrastructure on the sideline of this collaboration, said, this agreement will pave the way for a new era, where AMU’s capacity gets built as LIDI opens up vistas of opportunities in leather industry in South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region’s untapped firmament.
University Industry Linkage Directorate Director, Dr. Tolera Seda, and LIDI’s Deputy Director General, Mr. Mohammed Hussein Seid, signed Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of officials from both institutions.
At the outset, Mr. Mohammed, welcomed the gathering and gave a lowdown about LIDI, followed by Dr. Tolera Seda, who spoke about the purpose of this tie-up. LIDI’s Technology Transfer & Training Directorate Director, Mr. Dennebo Mekuria, gave an overview about leather industry assuring sustained cooperation to make this collaboration work.
Dr. Tolera hailing the pact, said, it’s an opportune occasion, as we are going to begin a remarkable beginning by appropriating new technologies to transferred to the community, and here, so to speak, LIDI will be playing the role of a catalytic agent.
Lauding this tie-up, Mr. Mohammed further affirmed that LIDI’s overall mandate is to develop leather sector to be competitive in the world. It produces manpower and runs a BSc program for students from Federal Technical, Vocational and Educational Training Institute, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Adama Science and Technology University, Bahir Dar and Wollo Universities, with AMU as a new entrant. It focuses on practicality that amounts to 70% and 30% theory and provides joint degree. Our accredited laboratories vouchsafe for genuinely of the product.
He adds it will enable us to deliver expected deliverables in terms of five pillars i.e. human skill development, research, consultancy, technology transfer and internship in a coordinated manner. Leather Industry Development Institute will support, facilitate, fill the gaps, build capacity of AMU staff and the moment they are empowered, we will make the exit so that they can be independent enough.
Visibly happy, Mr. Dennebo said, this agreement comes into force today itself. Initially LIDI will impart technical training for AMU staff at least for two months and then both partners will develop joint curriculum for BSc program. This pact may or may not be renewed and in case, if not renewed, it won’t augur something negative because the Leather Industry Development Institute believes in building the capacity of new partners, he averred.
Source: Arba Minch University