Baye Berhanu Yilma, (Assistant Professor with PhD)

  Department: Textile Chemical Process Engineering

  Mobile: +251924271734

  P.O. Box: 1037

  Email: berhanu.baye9@gmail.com / Baye.Berhanu@bdu.edu.et

Introduction

I was at the Department of Textile Engineering, Dire Dawa University Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa University, from August 2012 to September 2023. Recently, I was transferred to Bahir Dar University. I am currently an Assistant Professor at Department of Textile Chemical Process Engineering, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University, where I also conduct research. The main responsibilities include conducting research in textile chemistry, teaching, supervising, and examining master students. In addition, I have been assisting PhD students, developing and revising BSc and MSc curricula, organizing conference and workshop, and participating in various extracurricular activities. My research areas are textile material surface modification with plasma technology, textile reinforced composites, textile coloration, textile functional finishing, and others in textile chemistry. 

Education

  • 2017 - 2021: Ph.D. in Textile Technology (specialized in Plasma Technology), Homegrown doctorate program at Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia) with Material Process Engineering, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University (Germany) through a DAAD scholarship.
  • 2013 - 2015: MSc in Textile Chemistry – Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
  • 2007 - 2012: BSc in Textile Engineering– Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Academic positions

  • Oct. 2021 – Present: Assistant Professor – Department of Textile Chemical Process Engineering, Textile Faculty, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
  • Sep. 2021 – Sep.2023: - Assistant Professor – Department of Textile Engineering, School of Textile and Fashion Design, Dire Dawa University Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
  • Jul. 2015 – Aug. 2021: Lecturer – Department of Textile Engineering, School of Textile and Fashion Design, Dire Dawa University Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
  • Aug. 2012 – Jun. 2015: Assistant Lecturer– Department of Textile Engineering, School of Textile and Fashion Design, Dire Dawa University Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

Administrative positions

  • April 23. 2026-now: Vice Dean, Technology Transfer and Community Engagement Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology – Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. 
  • April 23. 2026-June 30, 2026: Customer Service officer, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology – Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. 
  • Aug. 2024 – Sept. 2026: Head for Department of Textile Chemical Process Engineering, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology – Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
  • Feb. 2024 – Jul. 2024: Chair holder for Textile Pretreatment and Finishing Technology – Department of Textile Chemical Process Engineering, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology – Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
  • Apr. 2022 – Dec. 2022, Dean for School of Textile and Fashion Design, Dire Dawa University Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. 
  • Oct. 2015 – Sep. 2017: Head for Textile Engineering Department – School of Textile and Fashion Design, Dire Dawa University Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
  • May 2023 – Present: Vice President for Ethiopian Textile and Apparel Professionals’ Association, Head office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Research Interest   

  • Surface modification and coating of textiles materials using low temperature plasma technology.
  • Characterization and Treatment of Textile Wastewater for environmental sustainability. 
  • Development of functional & smart textiles with conductive polymers.
  • Textile-reinforced composites for different applications.
  • Functional finishing of textiles.
  • Coloration of textiles using eco-friendly dyes.
  • Synthesis of biopolymer fibers.

Courses handled

  • Polymer science (BSc)
  • Environmental Management in Textile Industries (MSc)
  • Smart Textiles and Fashions (BSc)
  • Engineering Drawing (BSc)
  • Functional textiles (MSc)
  • Dyes and Auxiliaries (MSc)
  • Advanced Coloration Technology (MSc)
  • Advanced Textile Material Finishing (MSc)

Languages

  • Amharic – Mother's tongue
  • English - Proficient user (C1)
  • German - Basic user (A1)

Computer and software skills

  • Microsoft office tools, Origin lab, SPSS, Texgen, Minitab 18 (Taguchi method), Gwydion, Mendeley, Inscape, Spectrographs, Nano surf C3000 etc.

Laboratory experience and technical skills

  • Operating several textile laboratories machines and testing equipment such as Vacuum plasma reactor, FTIR, SEM-EDX, Martindale, Textile Softness Analyzer, Textile electrode tera ohmmeter, CA, UV-VIS Spectroscopy, and Raman spectrophotometers, etc.

Communication and leadership skills         

  • Leadership skill gained through coaching staffs and students
  • Good organizational skills: laboratory organization and technical committee, conference organizing committee, University internal supervision committee, purchasing committee and others.
  • Good team leading skills – obtained during head of department and school dean.
  • Imitating and establishing Textile and Apparel Professionals’ Association.
  • Able to create excellent team spirit and manage academic staffs and students. 

Certificates

  • Textile leadership Resilience Program – Empowering Public Officials to Drive Green Transition in Textile Industries of Ethiopia by University of Boras, Sweden, May 02, 2025.
  • Conference organizer at Dire Dawa University Institute of Technology in 2022 & 2023 and at EiTEX NUIF in 2025, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Nanodegree in Data Analysis Fundamentals by UDACITY August 27, 2024.
  • ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 General Requirement for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories in June 14, 2024. 
  • BP International: Certificate of Excellence in Peer-Reviewing of Book chapter with Certificate No: PRBPR3686.3BAY, Nov. 27, 2024. 
  • e-SHE: MC101 - Master Class: Foundations for Excellence in Teaching Online a course study offered by Ministry of Education with Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University and SHAYASHONE, March, 2024.
  • e-SHE: DS201's Strategies for Successful Online Learning a course study offered by Ministry of Education with Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University and SHAYASHONE, February 17, 2024.
  • e-SHE: CE106's Keeping Yourself Safe Online a course study offered by Ministry of Education with Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University and SHAYASHONE, February 16, 2024.
  • Research Ethics Review and SOP Preparation: Feb. 14-15, 2024, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 15 February 2024.
  • Research Ethics Review and Ethics Review Procedures and Standards: May 12 to 13, 2022, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
  • Higher Diploma Program at Bahir Dar University in June 2023.
  • Participation on Auxetic Fibrous Materials: Production, Properties and Application of International webinar on 19 March 2022 and organized by Jimma University, Ethiopia.
  • German as a foreign language (A1) in Winter semester (2018/2019), Albstadt, Germany, 2019.
  • Certificate of Exhibitor on the international conference of Cotton, Textile and Apparel Value Chain in Africa, June 1-2, 2012, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.

Reviewer in Journal

  • Bioresources Journal
  • Bulletin Chemical Society of Ethiopia
  • Journal of Industrial Textile
  • Journal of Natural Fibers
  • Textile Research Journal
  • Ethiopian Journal of Textile and Apparel

Committee assignments

  • Jul. 2025 – now: Editorial Committee for Program Accreditation (EiTEX-BDU).
  • Oct. 2025 – now: Re-registration of Institution and Program (EiTEX-BDU). 
  • Nov. 2023 – now: Member of Program Accreditation committee (EiTEX-BDU).
  • Nov. 2023 – now: Secretary of community-based project team committee (EiTEX-BDU).
  • Oct. 2015 – Aug. 2017: Member of recruitment, curriculum, and promotion standing committee (DDU).
  • Oct. 2016 – Aug. 2017: Dire Dawa University Internal supervision standing committee (DDU).
  • Oct. 2016 – Aug. 2017: Dire Dawa University students discipline standing committee (DDU).
  • May 15, 2024 – now: EiTEX Research Ethics Review Committee member.

Ongoing project

  • Principal investigator: Study the 30-year Trends of the Ethiopian Textile, Leather and Apparel Industry to Develop a Customized Development Model.
  • Co-investigator: Enhancement and Integrated production of Textile Products and bio-energy from water hyacinth; - A Lake Tana case study

Curriculum related works

  • Served as subject expert and representative of Dire Dawa University on the National Textile Engineering (BSc) Curriculum Harmonization Committee in 2012.
  • Chairperson and subject expert for the design and development of the outcome-based Polymer and Fiber Engineering (BSc) curriculum, Bahir Dar University (2025). 
  • Training in program and institutional accreditation with certified trainers (one international, one national session)
  • Served on the International Program Accreditation Committee (2023-2024) and currently serves on the Editorial Committee for National Program Accreditation (2025/26) at EiTEX, Bahir Dar University.
  • Served as an External reviewer  of BSc in Textile Engineering at Dire Dawa and Hawassa university in 2026 as well as outcome-based MSc in Textile Technology curriculum, FDRE Technical and Vocational Training Institute, Addis Ababa (October 3, 2025).
  • Prepared exit exam for Textile Chemical Process Engineering (BSc) in February 2025 for one week under the guidance of Minster of Education.
  • Revised the Blue Print of Textile Chemical Process Engineering (BSc) for exit exam test preparation under the guidance of Educational Assessment and Examination Services (EAES), Minster of Education, Addis Ababa (December 2025, one week).
  • Member, Curricula Revision (BSc & MSc) and Model Exam Preparation Committees (multiple terms).

List of Publications and Conference Contributions 

1. Firew, M., Tesfaye, T., Yilma, B. B., & Muche, S. (2026). Review of fabrication technologies and applications for futuristic functional and smart textiles. Discover. 6, 1-44. doi: 10.1007/s43939-026-00672-w 

2. Amare A., Abrham D., Yilma B. B., Solomon T., Biniyam S., Shiferaw A., Abebu A., Esubalew D., Erkihun Z., Abera K., Kelemework 2026). Systematic Review of the Ethiopian Apparel Industry's Historical Development and Current Insights. Journal of Engineering (United Kingdom), 2026. doi: 10.1155/je/4391370 

3. Misganaw, Z., & Yilma, B. B. (2026). LEMON PEEL-SYNTHESIZED TiO₂ NANOPARTICLES FOR POLYESTER FUNCTIONALIZATION. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia, 40, 395–411. doi: 10.4314/bcse.v40i2.10 

4. Zegeye, L. H., & Yilma, B. B. (2026). Effects of Flame-Retardant Additives in Recycling and 3D Printing Filament Production of Polystyrene. International Journal of Polymer Science, 2026. doi: 10.1155/ijps/6864903 

5. Abuhay, A., Tadesse, M. G., Yilma, B. B., Malengier, B., & Van Langenhove, L. (2025). Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance. Fibers, 13. doi: 10.3390/fib13020013 

6. Debebe, E., & Yilma, B. B. (2025). Thermo-physiological comfort properties of structurally and enzymatically modified knitted fabric for sportswear. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 55. doi: 10.1177/15280837251328299 

7. Firew Adamu, M., Tesfaye, T., Yilma, B. B., & Simegnaw, A. (2025). Electronic textiles. Textile Progress, 57, 1–71. doi: 10.1080/00405167.2025.2468595 

8. Muche, S., Yilma, B. B., Firew, M., Dagnaw, A., & Haile, L. (2025). Boric Acid as a Flame Retardant for Banana Fiber/Polyester Composites. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 36. doi: 10.1002/pat.70440 

9. Yilma, B. B., & Debebe, E. (2025). Advancing Sportswear Performance through Cutinase Enzymatic Surface Modification of Polyester Knitted Fabric. ETH. e-J. Res. Innov. Foresight, Vol. 15. [Conference contribution]

10. Fenta, B. A., Yilma, B. B., Dessie, T. A., Ahmmed, A. S., Kabish, A. K., & Admasu, B. T. (2024). Design, construction and performance evaluation of cotton fabric layer materials in micro-capillary absorptive evaporative cooling. Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 18. doi: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101534 

11. Yilma, B. B., Luebben, J. F., & Tadesse, M. G. (2022). A study on the Effect of Plasma Modification on the Comfort Properties of Polyester/cotton Blend Fabric [Doctoral dissertation]. Göttingen: Cuvillier. 158 p. 

12. Yilma, B. B., Luebben, J. F., & Tadesse, M. G. (2021). Effect of plasma surface modification on comfort properties of polyester/cotton blend fabric. Materials Research, 24. doi: 10.1590/1980-5373-MR-2021-0021 

13. Yilma, B. B., Luebben, J. F., & Nalankilli, G. (2020). Cold plasma treatment in wet chemical textile processing. Fibres and Textiles in Eastern Europe, 28, 118–126. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.3807 

14. Yilma, B. B., Luebben, J. F., & Nalankilli, G. (2020). The Effect of Air, Ar and O₂ Plasmas on the Electrical Resistivity and Hand-Feel Properties of Polyester/Cotton Blend Fabric. Fibers, 8. doi: 10.3390/fib8020017 

15. Yilma, B. B., Luebben, J. F., & Nalankilli, G. (2018). The Effect of Low-Pressure Oxygen Plasma Treatment on Comfort Properties of Polyester/Cotton Blend Fabric International Journal on Textile Engineering and Processes, 4, 1–10. 

16. Gopalakrishnan, L. H., & Yilma, B. B. (2016). Development of Two Layered Multi-constitute Technical Textiles in Shuttless Loom for Sportswear. International Journal of Fiber and Textile Research, 6, 25–28 [Conference contribution]. 

References 

  1. Prof. Dr. Joern F. Luebben, Department of Materials Process Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Germany, E-mail: luebben@hs-albsig.de 
  2. Dr. Melkie Getnet (Ass. Prof.), Department of Materials Process Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Germany, E-mail: melkiegetnet23@gmail.com 
  3. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abera K. Kabish, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University, E-mail: aberak1995@gmail.com 
  4. Dr. Addisu Ferede (Associate. Prof.), Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University, E-mail: addisiotex@gmail.com