University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Directorate (UILED) in collaboration with Ethiopian Management Institute delivered a training for industry stakeholders on “Leadership and Change Management” from May 13 to 17, 2019 at the University’s Resource Center.

The training comes following a need assessment conducted by the directorate and the trainees come representing the different industries that are working collaboratively with Haramaya University, especially by hosting students for their internship, externship, practical attachment and so on.

Hamaresa Edible Oil S.C., National Cement S.C., Harar Brewery S.C., Dire Dawa Food Complex S.C., Ethio-Telecom Central and Eastern Region, Dilchora Hospital, Dire Dawa Municipal Abattoir, Harar Municipal Abattoir, East Hararghe Agriculture and Natural Resource Bureau, Harar, East Hararghe High Court, Harar, Dire Dawa Water, Mines and Energy Authority, Agriculture Development office, Harar, Harar Justice Bureau, Haramaya Wereda First Instance Court, etc were among the participants.

Professor Kebede W/Tsadik, Vice-president for Community Engagement and Enterprises Development, in welcoming his speech, addressed that “The University is very welcoming to work in collaboration with the industries and by working closely, and sharing resources and experiences; the University can produce competent problem-solving and well-behaving graduates for industries and organizations as well. In return, students can identify gaps within industries and conduct researches suggesting possible solutions and recommendations.”

According to Ms. Blen Moges, Associate Director for University-Industry Linkage, “The ultimate goal of arranging the training is to strengthen the collaboration between Haramaya University and Industry stakeholders. Universities and industries cannot be effective by working independently due to the fact that there are several communal objectives for both to work together and achieve.” She added, “By working collaboratively we can realize positive synergy and bring better results.”

It is well known that there are many industries and offices which are currently working with the University. And the training aimed to address areas of enhancing the capacity of leaders to transform them; equipping trainees with leadership and change management concepts and theories, improving the trainees’ skill of leadership and management, empowering them to manage challenges emanating from leadership and change, and supporting trainees compare the theory with the realities in the Ethiopian context.

Ms. Blen added that there is the improvement of the linkages between the University and the industries following the establishment of a separate University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development Directorate. In October, 2019 industry-need assessment was conducted. Immediately after the need analysis, there was a workshop held on December 2019 on ‘Fostering University-Industry Linkage for enhancing mutual benefit’ with stakeholders.

There was a discussion session amongst the training participants where they shared best practices of one another, challenges they are facing and respective possible recommendations.

Dr. Mitiku Eshetu, Director for UILED Directorate, in his closing remark, emphasized that “Industries and universities cannot be effective working independently. Successful industry-university collaboration needs to support the missions and motivations of each partner.”

Industries promised having the responsibility of creating conducive learning environment, creating the opportunity to those students so that they are familiar with the real work environment and ethics. The University also promised to have full interest to support industries on demand-driven basis. In the end, future directions were set to increase the frequencies of encounters between the two major players and ways of collaboration by bringing resources and best practices all together.

Among the trainees, Mr. Kebede Teka, delegate from National Cement S.C explained that the training was crucial in bridging the gap they had in relation with the university-industry linkage. Another training participant, Ms. Lemlem Kassahun, from Harar Brewery S.C. added that this kind of training is so important in increasing the efficiency of working collaboratively.