(AIT) - On 30 December 2008, Dr. Josef Most, Manager, Engineering Capacity Building Program (ECBP)/ German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Technical and Vocational Education and Training Network (TVET) Reform Programme, Ethiopia, visited AIT to explore possible collaboration between AIT, the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).

Dr. Most met with Prof. Sudip Rakshit, Vice President for Research; Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Dean, School of Environment and Resources Development (SERD); Dr. M.S. Babel, School of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Winai Wongsurawat, School of Management (SOM); Mr. Fasel Karim, AIT Extension; Dr. Pritam K. Shrestha, Head-External Relations and Communication Office (ERCO) and Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Program Officer (ERCO).

Dr. Josef Most has shown great interest in AIT, and will explore possibilities for collaboration with universities, government research agencies, and the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia through GTZ projects. He said that the Engineering Capacity Building Program (ECBP)/ German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) is interested to partner with AIT in initiating short term training programs, master’s and doctoral program, and also joint research projects under the Ministry of Education. Specific fields of collaboration could be in the area of construction, metal, technology management, pharmacy, textile and leather.

Prof. Sudip Rakshit explained AIT’s groundbreaking work in Afghanistan, and suggested that similar projects could be possible in Ethiopia. Dr. Pritam Shrestha, Head-ERCO informed Dr. Josef Most about the Asia-Africa Initiative.

Dr. Most informed AIT that H. E. Mr. Wondwossen Kiflu, State Minister of Ministry of Education, Ethiopia was not able visit AIT due to his hectic schedule in China. However H.E. Kiflu will visit AIT at some time in the future. GTZ has been partner of AIT for long time and would like to explore further cooperation through this partnership for capacity development in Ethiopia.

Details of the GTZ’s projects in Ethiopia can be viewed at:
http://www.gtz.de/en/weltweit/afrika/aethiopien/14270.htm.