Addis Ababa University (AAU) and Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together for the common good at the Head Office of IDPC on the 25^th of January 2022.

Professor Tassew Woldehanna, President of AAU and Mr. Sandokan Debebe, the CEO of IPDC signed the agreement to cooperate on the areas of innovation, research, knowledge, skill and technology transfer as well as capacity building.

As Prof. Tassew stated while signing the agreement, AAU and IPDC have been mutually supportive and the agreement will have great benefit to the development of our country; like developed countries have made a big difference by working with their universities, this cooperation will play the vital role to make Ethiopia one of the middle-income countries.“Provided that the Industrial Parks should be supported by the local economy and skilled manpower, our students and teachers in the Technology Institute and Natural Sciences can help them and conversely gain technical and practical knowledge for their education career,” Prof. Tassew stressed.

Mr. Sandokan Debebe on his part said that the 13 industrial parks built so far are managed by their corporation; there are more than 100 international investors and 85,000 citizens working in the manufacturing and service delivering sectors.

The CEO added, “In these massive infrastructures; university professors, students and staff could participate in a high level of engagement. It is also possible to do a lot of work through training, consulting and multi-sectoral research. We also encourage our employees to go to the university and advance their skills.”

The general interest of collaboration specifically includes: joint research projects, exchange of academic publications and reports, academic opportunities for staff development, exchange of facilities, activities and expertise, visiting research scholars of both parties, including advanced graduate students.

Reporter: Tsion Aysheshim

Photo: Firemariam Beyene

Editor: Abraham Girmay