Research Area

Bahir Dar Institute of Technology

Research thematic and priority setting is a vital activity in research undertaking since it greatly assists in identifying and implementing research agendas that address critical problems of the community, and that are attractive to those who fund and support research. The objective of research thematic and priority setting is to rank research agendas and identify those that could most likely respond and contribute to meeting national objectives. Hence, Bahir Dar institute of technology (BiT) has set thematic areas based on international agenda, national research demand, institute vision and available capacity so as to focus and fulfil resources accordingly.

Finally, five research thematic areas have been constructed which will be updated at each time to accommodate emerging and contemporary issues.Hence, the research thematic areas of BiT are:

§  Agriculture Technology, food and Nutrition security,

§  Digitalization and Communication,

§  Water, Energy and Environment,

§  Manufacturing and Construction, and

§  Resilient infrastructure and Transportation.

1. Agricultural Technology, Food and Nutrition Security

Goal and objectives of the Theme: This theme aims to promote inclusive agricultural technologies development and manufacturing, developing systems to improve markets that improve agricultural productivity, incomes, food and nutrition security.

Main focus areas of the Theme:The focus of the theme includes (but not limited to)the following sub-focus areas:

§  Agricultural machineries

§  Equipment and implements

§  Precision agriculture

§  Nutrition sensitive agriculture

§  Agricultural water management and irrigation

§  Storage and preservation of agricultural products

§  Indigenous agriculture and food technologies

§  Productivity, postharvest management and food security

§  Food processing and packaging technology

§  Food safety and quality

§  Nutrition services and nutrition literacy

2. Digitalization and Communication

Goal of and objectives of the theme: Since ICT is fundamentally altering the way people live and work, this theme is designed to adopt and implement digital technologies by creating link with the societal livelihoods and daily endeavours. Hence, the theme aims to contribute in reducing poverty, improving access to health and education services, enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, supporting coverage of basic services in finance and energy, and to create new sources of income and employment for the poor.

Main Focus Areas of the team:To meet the aforementioned objective, the main focus areas of the themeinclude but not limited to the followings:

§  Software development and customization

§  Digital Technology

§  Artificial Intelligence

§  Natural Language Processing

§  Data science and engineering

§  Network Systems

§  Cyber Security

§  Wireless and mobile communication systems

§  Radio frequency, Microwave and Satellite communication

§  ICT Infrastructures

§  Emerging Technologies

3. Energy, Water and Environment

Goal and objective of the theme: This theme is designed to promote technology innovations to improve protection and management of natural resources (water, energy and the environment) which then contribute for poverty reduction, social wellbeing, economic growth and prosperity.

Main focus areas of the Theme: The main focus of the theme includes (but not limited to) the following sub-areas:

§  Hydrology and water resources

§  Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)  

§  Environmental pollution and sustainable waste management

§  Land use and land cover change

§  Water governance and hydro-diplomacy

§  Climate change mitigation and adaptation

§  Soil erosion and reservoir sedimentation

§  Hydrometeorology and remote sensing

§  Alternative and green energy sources

§  Fuel cell and hydrogen energy technology

§  Grid modernization and energy informatics

§  Micro grid and SWARM electrification

§  High voltage and insulation

§  Efficient cooking stove and efficient lighting

4. Manufacturing and Construction

Goal and Objectives of the Theme: The main aims of this thematic area include designing manufacturing units and cutting age technologies that enhances competitiveness of existing companies and new manufacturing plants to ensure industrial production and productivity.

Main Focus Areas of the Theme: The focus of the theme includes but not limited to, the following priority areas:

§  Automation technology, manufacturing and process industries

§  Innovative materials and material synthesis

§  Biomedical technology

§  Intelligent manufacturing system and productivity

§  Reliability analysis and quality management

§  Product development and redesign

§  Energy and production process auditing

§  Product standardization and substitution

§  Metallurgy characterization

§  Process intensification and optimization

§  Indigenous mine processing, manufacturing and construction

§  Construction technology and management

§  Alternative construction materials

§  Modern construction technologies

§  Indigenous knowledge in manufacturing and construction

5. Resilient Infrastructure and Transportation

Goal and objective of the theme: The theme aims to promote technologies in the design, analysis, adoption and maintenance of equipment and products for quality infrastructural system that will minimize vulnerability and the consequence of threat. Additionally, the thematic area is developed to fill the gap all in one process of manufacturing and construction through the combination of electrical/electronic circuits and mechanical systems.

Main focus areas of the Theme: The main focus of the theme includes (but not limited to) the followings:

§  Electric and hybrid vehicle

§  Robotics and unmanned aerial vehicle

§  Programming Logic Control (PLC)

§  Electronics and embedded system

§  Automation, instrumentation and measurement

§  Smart home system and transportation

§  Hydraulic structure and dam safety

§  Electromechanical systems  

§  Smart city planning and green building

§  Integrated Transport System

§  Traffic and Road Safety

§  Logistic and Freight Transport

§  Pavement Materials and Management System