The Shaggar Institute of Technology (SIT) marked a significant milestone with the signing of a multi-institutional Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) alongside the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Haramaya University, and the Oromia Science and Technology Authority. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, research, and technological innovation in Ethiopia, aligned with national development priorities.
Opening the event, Dr. Berhanu Bulcha emphasized the strategic importance of building partnerships that directly address national goals. He highlighted youth empowerment, student exchange programs, and collaborative research as key drivers in shaping a new generation of scientists and engineers capable of solving Ethiopia's most pressing challenges.
Representing the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Professor William Vizuete, Innovation Strategy Advisor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, expressed strong interest in deepening collaboration with SIT. He noted opportunities to jointly develop air quality models across Africa — contributing to global-scale environmental research — as well as advancing sensor technologies to improve data collection and modeling capabilities.
Dr. Jemal Yousuf, President of Haramaya University, underscored the importance of partnerships in strengthening digital infrastructure, enabling technology transfer, and expanding student exchange programs. He also highlighted the value of leveraging SIT's international network to co-develop research initiatives aimed at addressing critical community challenges.
Mr. Mekonen Beyene, Director at the Oromia Science and Technology Authority, emphasized the Authority's role in advancing digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystems, noting that SIT's global partnerships will be instrumental in accelerating regional technological transformation.
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the MoU by Mr. Temesgen Getnet, Acting Provost of SIT, alongside Professor William Vizuete representing the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Jemal Yousuf for Haramaya University, and Mr. Mekonen Beyene for the Oromia Science and Technology Authority — formally launching a collaborative effort to advance education, research, and innovation both locally and globally.