NCMD-2026: EiTEX Advances National Development through Multidisciplinary Discourse

On March 28, 2026, the School of Pre-Engineering and Sciences (SPES) at the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University, successfully hosted the Second National Conference on Multidisciplinary Discourse (NCMD-2026).

Under the theme "Multidisciplinary Discourse for the Advancement of Science and Technology," the event convened University leadership, distinguished researchers, and policy experts to explore how the intersection of diverse academic fields can drive national progress.

Strategic Vision and Opening Remarks

The conference was officially opened by Professor Tamrat Tesfaye, Scientific Director of EiTEX. In his remarks, he emphasized the School’s pivotal role in advancing teaching, research, and community service. He noted that addressing Ethiopia's complex societal and technological challenges requires a unified approach—integrating expertise from the social sciences, languages, computer science, and mathematics.

Mr. Yikdem Yeshiwas, Vice Dean of the School of Pre-Engineering and Sciences, delivered the welcome speech, reinforcing the commitment of SPES to convert academic rigor into actionable community solutions.

The conference was guided by three core objectives:

The conference was guided by three core objectives:

t  Knowledge Exchange: Sharing emerging trends in technology alongside the preservation of indigenous knowledge.

t  National Development: Harnessing multidisciplinary expertise to support Ethiopia’s socio-economic transformation.

t Bridging Research and Community: Translating scholarly findings into practical applications for the public good.

Featured Research Presentations

The technical sessions showcased high-impact, peer-reviewed research across multiple disciplines:

l Plenary Session: Conducting Polymers: From Scientific Discovery to Technological Applications – Presented by Prof. Teketel Yohannes.

l Indigenous Knowledge as a Foundation for Scientific Knowledge: Evidence from the Amhara Region – Presented by Prof. Zelealem Leyew,

l Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Utilization among Higher Education Instructors in Ethiopia – Presented by Ermiyas Tsehay Birhanu.

l Sustainable Mobility for Smart City: Electric Vehicle Technology Adoption in Ethiopia – Presented by Gubay Aniley Getie.

l Traditional Craftsmanship Practices among Abinet Students (Gondar City and Environs) – Presented by Dr. Tsedalu Addisu/ ባህሊዊ የእዮጥበባትአሠራር በአብነት ተማሪዎች (በተመረጡ የጎንደር ከተማና አካባቢው) በዶ/ር  ፀዳሉ አዲሱ.

l Language Use and Communication of Leaders versus Peace Building: A Status Quo Review – Presented by Medhanit Belachew Beyene.

High-Level Panel Discussion

A major highlight of the day was the dynamic panel discussion: "Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Emerging Technologies for the Advancement of Ethiopia’s Development Transformation."

The Panelists:

l  Prof. Teketel Yohannes Anshebo (Executive Director, Ethiopian Academy of Sciences)

l Prof. Zelealem Leyew (Professor of Linguistics, Addis Ababa University)

l Dr. Tsedalu Addisu (Asst. Professor, University of Gondar)

l Dr. Tigist Zelalem (Asst. Professor of Economics and Vice Dean, Bahir Dar University)

l Prof. Atakilt Abebe (Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Bahir Dar University)

Key Discussion Points: The panel explored how indigenous knowledge in language and craftsmanship can serve as a driver for modern innovation. Experts discussed bridging the gap between the humanities and natural sciences, identifying pathways to scale traditional skills into competitive commercial products, and addressing the systemic barriers that limit the integration of local knowledge into national policy.

Conclusion and Recognition

In the closing session, Associate Professor Adane Haile, Academic Affairs Vice Scientific Director of EiTEX, commended the localized impact of the research, noting its specific relevance to the strategic growth of Bahir Dar University and the textile industry.

The event concluded with a formal certification ceremony, where the NCMD-2026 Organizing Committee, presenters, and contributors were recognized for their dedication to ensuring the landmark success of the conference.