-Hosts 9th Annual Conference of STII 2025
ADDSI ABABA – Activities are underway to promote university-industry linkages, thereby accelerating the country’s economic development, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) has announced.
During the 9th Annual Research Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation for Industry (STII 2025), held yesterday, AASTU President Dereje Engida (PhD) stated that the university is striving for excellence in applied science, technology, and engineering.
According to him, research and innovation are crucial in driving Ethiopia’s industrial and technological progress while fostering global competitiveness and boosting production and productivity.
He noted that AASTU has eight centers of excellence under which all research activities are organized. These centers ensure resource optimization, execution, and continuity of research. Additionally, a state-of-the-art Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub will become operational in a month.
“Science and technology are essential for sustainable economic growth. For Ethiopia, investing in these fields is crucial to achieving long-term development goals. Such investments help address challenges related to food security, energy sustainability, healthcare, and industrial transformation,” he added.
AASTU’s eight centers of excellence play a vital role in fostering innovation, sharing best practices, and establishing platforms for industry professionals to discuss common agendas, build networks, and collaborate. In this regard, academia, research institutes, international partners, and both private and public institutions are working together to find real-world solutions, the president noted.
Dereje emphasized that, in collaboration with industry leaders and experts, AASTU aligns its research efforts with practical needs to ensure that innovation contributes meaningfully to industrial advancement and economic growth. In addition to these initiatives, AASTU is committed to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
AASTU’s Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, Abraham Debebe (PhD), highlighted that conducting problem-solving research to support productivity and competitiveness in Ethiopian industries is one of the pillars of the university’s strategic plan.
AASTU aims to bridge the university-industry gap by working in cooperation with various stakeholders. Among other initiatives, the university conducts research and provides training to students to help develop skilled professionals for the industrial sector, Abraham added.
At the conference, 89 research papers will be presented, with attendees including researchers, academics, and industry experts, representatives from research institutes, embassies, and delegates from eight different countries.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY
