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Ethiopia: AASTU to Enroll Students in Footwear Engineering

Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) is going to start offering a new undergraduate program, Footwear Engineering, beginning from the 2014/2015 academic year. The curriculum is developed by the Leather Industries Development Institute (LIDI).

According to Fortune Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology (AAIT) currently has an undergraduate program in leather processing. The program includes tanning and crusting raw leather.

Wondu Legesse, Director General of LIDI, noted the new program to be launched by AASTU is going to be an addition to the field and there will be more courses to follow in other higher learning institutions.

The program is going to be a five years program out of which the two years will be spent on theoretical studies and the rest on practical training. On the first round the Institute is going to accept 25 students.

However, Wondu noted, “fter we see the results, we will reduce the theoretical period to one year and make the practical lessons four years”. “We will also increase our capacity,” he added.

The practice part of the program is going to take place in the premises of LIDI using the equipment at the Institute.

LIDI prepared the curriculum in collaboration with Indian experts from Central Leather Research institute (CLRI) and Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) based on the experiences of Indian Universities.

Graduates of the program will be equipped with the skills to manufacture finished and value added leather products, such as shoes, gloves and garment products.

Currently the Institute has 32 masters and six PhD holders in footwear engineering.

According to the Corporation Communication Director at the Institute, Berihanu Serjabo, AASTU approved the curriculum three weeks ago.

Wondu commented, “The training will have a big impact on the sector, providing more experts in the manufacturing industry”.

Wondu furthered, LIDI has wrapped up preparations to initiate a similar course.

Source: Fortune