ADDIS ABABA– Ethio telecom has signed strategic partnership agreement with Addis Ababa University (AAU) and Black Lion Hospital aiming to digitalize the activities delivered by both institutions.
The state-owned telecom company signed an agreement with AAU entitled ‘smart campus for academic excellence’ while it agreed to make all payments of the Black lion hospital through Telebirr.
During the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Ethio telecom, Frehiwot Tameru stated that the agreement would allow both institutions to effectively use their resource with safe and better technology.
She said that agreement would make Addis Ababa University (AAU) which is the oldest university in the country, to become competitive and deliver quality education, and hassle free services. “Supporting AAU means making the society and the nation skilled and competitive at the world stage,” she underscored.
The CEO further highlighted the efforts that have been put towards making various sectors digitalized exemplifying the works done in Smart Education and Smart Agriculture.
Underlining that AAU is a pioneer institution in sharing best experiences, she expressed optimism that the university as well as the telecom company would put utmost effort to engage other universities to follow similar steps in the digitalization activities.
Samuel Kifle(PhD), Acting President of Addis Ababa University(AAU) on his part mentioned that the strategic agreement would serve as a tool to enhance academic and service excellence.
Highlighting the digitalization activities that have been performed along with Ethio telecom, the President also indicated that the agreement would play a vital role in supporting the goal of realizing digital Ethiopia.
The activities that AAU undertakes with Ethio telecom leads towards digitalization, he noted, adding that the cooperation will ensure quality education and enable AAU to be competent at international level.
Thus, other higher education institutions need to follow this footstep in order to help nation realize the goals of digital Ethiopia 2025, he underlined.
The university is carrying out various activities with its strategic partner, Ethio telecom such as technological infrastructure building, industry linkage, teaching-learning, research and social services as well as technologies that support entrepreneurship.
The agreement is said to digitalize 50 class rooms, Campus gates, administration buildings, museums, cafeterias, libraries, and student and teacher dormitories.
It will also ensure safe teaching and learning environment and safeguards the safety of the entire campus compounding using CCTV, security controlling station and other vital infrastructures.
The cooperation is expected to enable smart parking; customers access management digital solutions that work under QR code and Biometric technologies.
Of the total amount of 550 millionbudget that was needed for the digitalization implementation, 60 percent was covered by Ethio telecom while AAU covered the rest 40percent.
The agreement that is signed with Black lion hospital is said to enable to make payments related with check-in desk, laboratories, pharmacies, among others, through digital payment.
Over one million people visit black lion hospital annually. The fact that all the payments used to be made through cash creates poor customer satisfaction, lack of transaction and risk of theft on customers and patients.
However, the agreement would play important role in providing customer satisfaction, enhancing operational efficiency, improving cash flow and security, it was learned.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 28 JUNE 2024
