[November 28, 2022 Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] **************************** The 4th International Conference on ICT4D is organized by ICT4D-BiT-BDU in collaboration with UNDP, UNICEF, and IEEE. During the start, Dr. Mekuanint Agegnehu, Deputy Scientific Director for Research and Community Service, said that ICT4D was established in 2016 with the goal of becoming one of the top five ICT research centers in 10 to 15 years. Later on, Dr. Esubalew Alemneh ICT4D director, highlighted that ICT4D bridges the digital divide and support economic growth. He also stated that ICT4DA conference is hosted to bring together researchers and engineers to discuss and work on a variety of topics. Dr. Bimrew Tamrat, Scientific Director of BiT, on the other hand, made a remark on the institutes practical and technological aims, which help graduates become innovators and entrepreneurs. He also said that, BiT teaches a number of students in preparation for ABET certification for undergraduate programs, while, ICT4D is one of the research centers devoted to advancing technology and innovation.   Professor Fisseha Mekuria, research scientist at CSIR, recognized the importance of culture and language, and emphasized the need of honoring one's own language and culture in order to be recognized globally. Meanwhile, over 2.7 billion people have never utilized the internet, and most advancement and innovations are focused on other areas. So, researchers must include all mankind as a consideration, and projects and research must be community-based; otherwise, delivering successful answers will be in question. On the other hand, novel digital services are required to enable access to the community in order for it to adapt. He also mentioned the work being done in the Republic of South Africa to help rural enterprises and schools via planning.    Mr. Nathi Mbele, a South African entrepreneur, adds weight to Professor Fisseha’s words by sharing his own experience. Apart from declaring Ethiopia to be the future and mother of Africa, he urged on government regulation to provide a playground for operators. His rural network services provide comprehensive assistance to South Africans. He stated that young Africans are numerous yet unconnected, and just 20% of the African population has access to providers, leaving the remainder out. Meanwhile, firms with more 30 years of experience exist in Africa, and profit is a goal that has harmed the populace.  Additionally, Dr. L. Mfupe spoke about impact analysis on initiatives to support youth and women owned rural and township wireless network operators.   In the Afternoon’s session Dr. Abeba Birhane, from Mozilla foundation and University College Dublin Ireland delivered a keynote speech on the impact and significance of AI in an environment where most Ethiopians are focused on NLP. According to her speech, robots serve for a variety of purposes and functions, particularly in easing human burdens. However, most AI models developed in some companies have a bias with regard to skin, gender, and other factors, which she insisted on developing local models based on the challenges at hand and training the data with accurate input. Bethlehem Abera Gronnerberg, Founder & Executive Director of uCodeGirl, elaborated the challenges raised by Dr. Abeba Birhane through sharing her experiences.    The conference will continue in parallel sessions until Wednesday.   Information and Strategic Communication Directorate Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly/

Congratulations! Seifu BiTMakerspace has been recognized as "The most active makerspace of the year"  at African makerspace gathering 2022 in Cape Town SA.  [November 21,2022 Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] ============================== The Africa Makerspace Gathering is an annual meeting of the Africa Makerspace Network which brings together all makers in the network and beyond to have a dialogue on how makerspaces can significantly contribute to the development of a sustainable Africa. In 2022, the annual meeting which is the Gathering, is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa. The award is received by Ms. Bezawork Tilahun, Coordinator of Seifu BiT Makerspace at BiT-BDU.  Information and Strategic Communication Directorate wants to congratulate all the Seifu BiT Makerspace team and the BDU community at large. Information and Strategic Communication Directorate Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly

A Big Congratulations! Two Groups of BiTec Innovators Won at National Agribusiness Competition as First and Third.  [August 28, 2024 Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] ============================ Dr. Amare Kassaw, Director of BiTec, was proud to announce that our talented students have emerged victorious in the GIZ-Ethiopia Agribusiness Idea Competition (ABIC2024) Incubation Program! In collaboration with GIZ-Ethiopia's R&D Group, the program equipped students with essential entrepreneurial and agri-venture design skills. Through rigorous training, incubation, and mentorship, our students developed innovative business ideas that stood out among competitors from other universities. Our winning projects are Ultrasound Glue Jel Production from Local Plants (ranked 1st): an innovative idea aims to produce a sustainable and eco-friendly adhesive from locally sourced plants, addressing the need for affordable and environmentally friendly adhesives in various industries and Bread Flour Manufacturing from BSG (ranked 3rd): a project which proposes to establish a local bread flour manufacturing facility, reducing dependency on imported flour and supporting local farmers. Beyond Bahir Dar University, Hawassa, Adama Science and Technology, and Dilla Universities also participated in this GIZ-Ethiopia Agribusiness Idea Competition (ABIC2024) Incubation Program. As previously reported, ninety students from Bahir Dar University initially underwent entrepreneurship and venture design bootcamp training in May 2024. Subsequently, six innovative business ideas were selected for incubation at BiTec. Over the ensuing three months, these ideas were incubated within Seifu BiT Makerspace, benefiting from technical and equipment support, mentorship, and business development training.” A big congratulations to our hardworking and innovative students! We're proud of your accomplishments. Dr. Amare also extended his sincere gratitude to Bahir Dar University, GIZ Ethiopia R&D group, Growth Africa, the BiT Information and Strategic Communication Directorate and the BiTec team for their invaluable support. Information and Strategic Communication Directorate Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn:-https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly/ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly) Log in or sign up to view See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

BiTec has conducted the Regional Pitch for the GIZ-Ethiopia Agribusiness Idea Competition (ABIC2024) program [August 19, 2024 Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] ============================ In collaboration with GIZ-Ethiopia's R&D Group, Bahir Dar University organized a four-month Agro-Business Idea Competition Program (ABIC2024). The program aimed to equip innovative students with essential entrepreneurial and venture design skills. ABIC2024 comprised a comprehensive initiative encompassing Training of Trainers (TOT), an Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, Business Incubation support, and regional and national competitions, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills among university students. Beyond Bahir Dar University, Hawassa, Adama Science and Technology, and Dilla Universities also participated in this entrepreneurship and agriventure design incubation program. Ninety students from Bahir Dar University initially underwent entrepreneurship and venture design bootcamp training in May 2024. Subsequently, six innovative business ideas were selected for incubation at BiTec. Over the ensuing three months, these ideas were incubated within Seifu BiT Makerspace, benefiting from technical and equipment support, mentorship, and business development training. The culminating event was the regional Agribusiness Idea Competition Pitch, where participants presented innovative agricultural ideas to a panel of judges comprising successful agribusiness entrepreneurs and academic experts. The competition emphasized innovation, feasibility, impact, and scalability. The two selected top-performing teams will advance to the national competition which will be held in the GiZ-Ethiopia office in Addis Ababa in late August. Dr. Muluken Zegeye, Deputy Scientific Director of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, presented certificates and equipment support prizes to the innovators. He commended BiTec's efforts, acknowledged GIZ-Ethiopia and R&D group’s support, and encouraged continued collaboration to foster business acceleration and networking among the stakeholders.   Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn:-https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly/   Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly) Log in or sign up to view See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

Annual Career Expo is launched at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University. [August 17/2022, Bahir Dar - ISC/BiT-BDU] *********************************************** Dereja launched the Annual Career Expo 2022 at BiT-BDU in collaboration with Bahir Dar Institute of Technology and the Ministry of Labors and Skills, with support from Young Africa Workers. Dr. Andaregachew Moges, Executive Director, Total Quality Management at Bahir Dar University, delivered an opening remark in which he stated that, according to the direction from Ministry of Education, 80% of graduates are expected to enter the labor market within a year. As a result, universities are expected to produce efficient graduates, and employers are encouraged to promote their work culture. That is why, in recent years, universities have begun to collaborate with job-search facilitators such as Dereja, which acts as a bridge between job seekers and employers, filling the soft skills gaps that graduates face during the job-seek process. He concluded his opening statement by recommending a company like Dereja to work closely with the university to make graduates more employable. After that, Ethiojobs service manager Kokebe Ayele gave a brief presentation about the Dereja journey, stating that Dereja has been serving as a bridge by working with several Ethiopian universities and TVET colleges on capacitating graduating students on their employability skills, organizing several job fairs, and establishing career centers across Ethiopian universities. She added as their company is facilitating their intervention through Dereja.com, Dereja Academy Accelerator program, Career Expo/Career Expo clinic.  Following discussion sessions from the participants and dereja facilitators, the program was concluded By Dr. Bimrew Tamirat, Scientific Director, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology closing remark.  Dr. Bimrew praised Dereja facilitators for their efforts so far in facilitating the relationship between employers and job seekers. He concluded his remarks by strongly urging companies such as Dereja to work with policymakers to bring a system that enhances fair employment of graduates based on skill and knowledge. Information and Strategic Communication Directorate Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et

Training on Entrepreneurship for Engineering & Technology Graduating Class Students [August 14/2022, Bahir Dar - ISC/BiT-BDU] ********************************************* The training was hosted by Information and Strategic Communication (ISC) Directorate in collaboration with Business Incubation and Techno - Entrepreneurship Center (BiTec). Dr. Bimrew Tamrat, Scientific Director of BIT, opened the training, where he said the probability of being employed is currently very low, so this training is an opportunity for students to consider self-employment, cleaning the mindset for being employed in the government or non-governmental organizations. He encouraged the graduates to pursue self-employment in order to benefit both themselves and others. Dr. Bimrew finally thanked trainers, Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology Alumnus, and Mr. Lema Misgan, Digital Transformation Project Manager at Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT), for coming and delivering such an inspiring training for the BiT GC students on the behalf of the institute. Following, Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw presented a training on Graduates/Youth unemployment as Universities and National problem of Ethiopia, Self-Employment & Entrepreneurship for Engineering Graduates, The Role of Engineering Graduates in Industrialization and Technology Transfer or Acquisition in Ethiopia. Likewise, Mr. Leman Misgan delivered a trainings on, Major Challenges and opportunities to start business in Ethiopia, Entrepreneurship:  What Tech-business opportunities available? Where we can find startup/seed funding in Ethiopia.  In their presentations, both trainers expressed concern about university graduates becoming unemployed. Accordingly, Ethiopia's unemployment rate is rising at a rate of 3.69%, with 2 million unemployed people entered the labor force by 2021. As a result, they showed as unemployment is currently one of Ethiopia's most pressing development issues, where Mind-set, mismatch between higher education and the labor market, a lack of effective training centers that promote self-employment/Entrepreneurship, challenges for startups, and so on were identified as major causes of such devastating problems.   To deal with such serious issues, they encouraged graduates to focus on self-employment, taking advantage of opportunities provided by incubation hubs, the Ministry of Labor and Skills, lease financing, idea financing, GiZ Ethiopia, UNDP, Startup Act, Ethiopian EDI, the Digital Foundation Project in MInT, and so on. They also attempted to inspire students raising the success stories of some of our countiers' self-employers, such as Daniel Mebrahtu, a BDU alumni, the founder and manager of Dan Technocrat PLC, and others. Regarding the way forward of graduates, Engineer Gizachew and Mr. Lema emphasized that students must be prepared with what they have in mind, time management and team work, seeking information, developing a culture of saving, overcoming employment desire/mind-set, and collaborating with giant tech businesses in the market.  Finally, after both trainers reflected on the questions raised by BiT graduate trainees, Mr. Temesgen Getnet, Director of Information and Strategic Communication Directorate, delivered a closing remark in which he stated that such type of training have key roles in changing graduates' future. He also advised the trainees to follow Engineer Gizachew's footprint, who is serving the institute in a variety of capacities after graduating from this campus. He concluded his speech by thanking the trainers on behalf of the institute and encouraging students to serve as BiT Ambassadors after they leave the compound. Information and Strategic Communication Directorate Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et

Bahir Dar University signed an MoU with the Ethiopian Technology Authority (ETA) [August 13/2022, Bahir Dar - ISC/BiT-BDU] ********************************************** President of Bahir Dar University, Dr. Firew Tegegne, emphasized that the energy sector is one of the major focus area of the university as he signed the memorandum of understanding. As per his speech, the partnership will greatly boost the advancement and expansions of research centers and postgraduate programs that coincide with the university's 60th anniversary. In areas where development is demanding, he underlined the significance of technology as a basic one. As a result, the university will consider the field of nuclear energy as an excellent opportunity for the planned excellence at national level of the country. On the other side, Mr. Solomon Getachew, Director General of the Ethiopian Technology Authority, remarked that the parties have indeed reached at mutual understanding that will be put into action and would greatly assist them in carrying out their duties on a significant scale. He also mentioned that the agreement is for the mutual benefit where the authority will make advantage of the opportunity while it cooperates more effectively with the university in accordance with the eminent academic staff of the parties. Meanwhile, the Scientific Director of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Dr. Bimrew Tamrat, pointed out that the agreement is a platform to benefit the country through cooperation thereby emphasizing the possibilities of the advancement, based on the exertions of the parties signing the agreement.  Information and Strategic Communication Directorate Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et

Bahir Dar Insitute of Technology, Bahir Dar University inaugurated Poly Journal of Engineering and Technology   ********************** [August 11, 2022, Bahir Dar ISC/BiT] The inauguration event began with a statement by Dr. Bimrew Tamrat, Scientific Director of BiT, outlining the difficulties and prospects as well as the significance of the journal for the Institute and academicians. Dr. Muluken Zegeye, research director for BiT, informed the process, where a group reviewed a number of national and international journals over a six-month period with considerable policy. Dr. Nigus Gabbiye, a faculty member of Chemical and Food Engineering, on the other hand, briefed the Editorial board members and editorial team as well as the Journal's status to the audiences in his speech. He notified that the journal is already accepting papers, and the efforts made will pave the path for future reputation. The audiences engaged in significant discussions after making substantial comments on the journal. The closing remark has been given by Dr. Mekuanint Agegnehu, Deputy Scientific Director for RCS of BiT, who acknowledged the discussions and the mechanisms of recognizing the people publishing on it. He also pointed out the importance of follow-ups for quality leading to the higher rating at national and international level.   Information and Strategic Communication Directorate Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et

በባሕር ዳር ዩኒቨርሲቲ የባሕር ዳር ቴክኖሎጂ ኢንስቲትዩት የ2014 ዓ.ም የእቅድ አፈጻጸም ሪፖርት በዩኒቨርሲቲው ከፍተኛ አመራሮች ተገመገመ፡፡ ======================== [ነሐሴ 05/2014 ዓ.ም፣ ባሕር ዳር - ኢስኮ/ባቴኢ] በግምገማ መድረኩ የዩኒቨርሲቲው ከፍተኛ አመራሮችን ጨምሮ ሁሉም የኢንስቲትዩቱ ዲኖች፣ ዳይሬክተሮችና የማስተባበሪያ ቢሮ ኃላፊዎች ተሳትፈውበታል። ግምገማው በባህር ዳር ዩኒቨርሲቲ ፕሬዝዳንት ዶ/ር ፍሬው ተገኘ መሪነት የተከፈተ ሲሆን፣ የ2014 አፈፃፀም በጥንቃቄ መገምገም እንዳለበት ገልፀው፣ 2015 ዓ.ም 60ኛ የምስረታ በዓልን የምናከብርበት ልዩ ዓመት ስለሆነ ዓመታዊ እቅዱ በትኩረት ልንሄድበት እንደሚገባ ተጠቁሟል። በመቀጠልም የኢንስቲትዩቱ ሳይንቲፊክ ዳይሬክተር ዶ/ር ቢምረው ታምራት የ2014 ዓ.ም ዓመታዊ የሥራ አፈፃፀም በመማር ማስተማር፣ በጥናትና ምርምር ፣ በማህበረሰብ አገልግሎት እንዲሁም በአስተዳደር ጉዳዮች ዘርፍ የተከናወኑ ተግባራትን እንዲሁም በአፈጻጸሙ የታዩ ስኬቶች፣ ያጋጠሙ ዋና ዋና ችግሮችና የተወሰዱ የመፍትሔ እርምጃዎችን በተመለከተ ዝርዝር ሪፖርት አቅርበዋል። በዓመቱ ታቅደው ሳይተገበሩ የቀሩ እንዲሁም ለአተገባበሩ እንቅፋት የነበሩ ተግባራት ላይ ትኩረት በመስጠት በ2015 ዓ.ም ሊሰራባቸው እንደሚገባም ጠቁመዋል። ከዚህም ጋር በተያያዘ የ2015 በጀት ዓመት የሥራ እቅድ በሳይንቲፊክ ዳይሬክተሩ አማካኝነት የቀረበ ሲሆን በትኩረት መሠራት ያለባቸዉና ማብራርያ የሚፈልጉ ጉዳዮች ላይ የተለያዩ ጥያቄዎች ተነስተው በሚመለከታቸዉ የሥራ ኃላፊዎች አማካኝነት ማብራሪያና ምላሽ ተሰጥቶባቸዋል። በመጨረሻም በ2014 በእቅድ አፈፃፀም የተሰሩ ሥራዎች የሚያበረታታ ስኬት መመዝገቡም ተወስቶ የተገኙ ስኬቶችን አጠናክሮ ለማስቀጠልና እንደ ክፍተት የታዩትን ደግሞ ለማካካስ እንዲቻል ክፍተት ያለባቸው ክንውኖች በ2015ዓም የተሻለ አፈፃፀም እና ውጤት ሊያሳዩ እንደሚገባ አስተያየት ተስጥቶባቸውመድረኩ ተጠናቋል። የኢንፎርሜሽንና ስትራቴጂክ ኮሚዩኒኬሽን ዳይሬክቶሬት ፌስቡክ፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly ቴሌግራም፡- https://t.me/bitpoly ዌብሳይት፡- https://bit.bdu.edu.et