The Engineering Capacity Building Program (ecbp) continues to ensure that Ethiopia makes steady gains in accelerating its industrial-led economic development. The overall impression, during its recent 6 month evaluation with the leadership of the Ministries of Capacity Building, Education and Science and Technology is that the program has begun to show impressive results.
H.E. Ato Wondwossen Kiflu, State Minister of Education and ecbp Director commented, “ecbp’s progress during the first 6 months of the fiscal year has again improved through the close cooperation of different Ministries that have all given priority to the ecbp reforms. The joint action plans which have been developed with our partner institutions and Ministries ensure that there is no duplication of efforts and, above all, the reform is being gradually transferred to the sustainable owners.”
As the main engine for growth, private sector development is a crucial factor and one of the major components of ecbp; working through a value chain development approach, Ethiopian companies are linked with the global market and small and medium enterprises are linked with the larger Ethiopian companies. The Ethiopian textile and garment companies cooperating with ecbp have seen improvements to their operations, with 4 companies receiving Business Social Compliance Initiative certification and one receiving Eco-Tex 100 certification – both very important for accessing the European market. In total the exports of the textile and garment companies cooperating with ecbp have jumped by 62.2% from last year to $7.34 million US. In building the image of Ethiopia as a location for quality leather products, ecbp support contributed to the overall success of All African Leather Fair by bringing in 60% of the international exhibitors which has led to potential investments and matchmaking opportunities.
Significant accomplishments were also realized on the education side of the program; namely the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Reform and the University Reform. Through cooperative training with TVET institutions and companies during the last six months 18,995 students were trained, involving collaboration with 983 enterprises. The cooperation between TVET institutions and private companies helps to ensure labor market and entrepreneurship oriented education is being provided as part of the overall TVET reform. In addition to this, the ongoing Occupational Standard and Assessment process has continued with 52 new standards and 98 new assessment tools developed.
As part of the university reform, new, semi-autonomous Institutes of Technology (IOT) are being established and three of these now have Scientific Directors from Germany in place to carry out the transformation process according to strategic plans which are intended to create a more innovation and technology focused higher education in Ethiopia. Two additional IOTs have been established and foreign Scientific Directors will begin work soon. One hundred and sixty nine trainers from 8 Faculties of Education have been trained in modern teaching methods and didactics who in turn trained 500 staff members of Faculties of Technology.
The National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) Strategy, created by ecbp in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia, establishes new professional customer-oriented and demand-driven institutions based on benchmarks from Europe. Of the 4 new institutions to be created under the Ministry of Science and Technology, 3 are already operational. In addition to these, 2 other institutions will be created under the Ministry of Trade and Industry in order to create new regulations and enforce them. This new NQI will ensure the quality of Ethiopian goods to create further demand for products “Made in Ethiopia”.
ecbp’s endeavors in eCapacity Development have also demonstrated success in the past half year. The creation of eLearning Competence Centers at 5 universities including the training of their staff and the launch of the first courses in Adama University indicates a bright future.
Overall, the achievements of ecbp during the first 6 months of the fiscal year have demonstrated that the implementation phase of ecbp has started on solid ground. The private sector development component of ecbp has become more prominent during this period and continues to become more relevant for ecbp and Ethiopia. Comments from the leadership of key Ministries showed great appreciation for the program and encouragement to produce even greater results in the coming months.