Haramaya University Institute of Technology (HIT), in collaboration with the Vice-president for Community Engagement and Enterprises Development, conducted training on scientific computing using MATLAB application from May 16-18, 2018, for communities in and nearby the University including: Kombolcha Agricultural and TVET College, Haramaya Poly-Technic College, Harar Poly-Technic College, Menchen für Menschen Agro-Technical & Technology College, Dire Dawa Poly-Technic College, and from the University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Computing and Informatics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences.

In his opening speech, Prof. Kebede W/Tsadik, Vice-president for Community and Enterprise Development, said the training was intended to enhance the Community activity by initiating the intelligent and objective concerns of the University. He stated that, “Organizing and executing a high level knowledge and experience sharing workshop on quality of scientific computing with MATLAB would enable the trainees in their working area.”

According to Mr. Ayele Legese, Associate Director of University Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer, the objectives of the training are “equipping the trainees with a skill of Math and enabling them in computation, analyze a problem and design a solution, algorithm development and data acquisition, modeling, simulation, and prototyping, data analysis, exploration, and visualization, scientific and engineering graphics as well as application development”.

The trainees were given practical training in an interactive and exclusive workshop on scientific computing with MATLAB basics.  At the end of the training some trainees said the training was very helpful and they appreciated and gave many thanks to the University and indicated that they are happy with the training program; as well as obtaining a multitude of knowledge from the training which will enable them to prepare for the next level in their careers.

On the closing session Dr. Sewnet Mengistu, Director for the Community-Based Education Directorate, said that the training was one component of the services offered by the Office in order to create/fulfill the objective of the University in creating University Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer with such kind of training. He added that the use of the MATLAB application in various TVET colleges to create a modern and time saving skill. He also added, “We will continue to strengthen our co-operation with local colleges and sector offices by strengthen regional forums and departments.”

The trainees also added that the training was crucial in bridging the gaps they had and will help them to check their attitude in relation with the use of the scientific computing with MATLAB application and asked for such training to continue in future

The training was closed by presenting certificates for the participants by Dr. Abdisa Jebessa, Acting Scientific Director of HIT.