1. Introduction
1.1.Background of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology
Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT) at Bahir Dar University is the pioneer institute of technology offering higher education in the field of engineering and technologies since its establishment as a technical school in 1963 under the former Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute, which finally grew to Bahir Dar University in 2000. At present, we are training about 11, 984 undergraduate students in thirteen programs and about 700 postgraduate students in 21 Master programs including one PhD program in Water Resource Management. We do have well equipped 44 laboratories used for research and practical teaching and to deliver different technical support to our main stakeholders of the region.
Owing to our 50 year experience, our teaching learning and research becomes more practical oriented and custom-made to solve the industry and community based technology challenges. Most importantly, we envision having a national impact via dissemination of technologies centering to the need of the local community and industrial sector.
The institute’s teaching-learning, research and community service activity is supported by high qualified 460 teachers, more than 150 technical assistants, and about 650 administrative staffs.
1.2. Mission and Vision of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology
Ø Vision of BiT
· To become one of the top ten premier technology institutes in Africa in 2025 recognized for its practical oriented education, research and innovative technologies.
Ø Mission of BiT
· To contribute substantially for economic, technological and scientific development of the nation, the continent at large; through the provision of high quality education, active engagement in research and technology transfer packages, and community service activities.
· Upgrade and value our indigenous technologies that foster improvement of the lively hood of the local community.
· Assist our industrial partners in employing our technological tools to transfer more rapidly the bench scale discoveries in such a way that the industries are targeted in cleaner, more efficient processes technology implementation that helped to be competitive in the global green economy.
2. Schools and Academic Programs in the Institute
2.1. Schools in the Institute
· School of Civil and Water Resource Engineering
· School of Chemical and Food Engineering
· School of Electrical Engineering
· School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
· School of Computing
· School of Research and Postgraduate Studies
· Bahir Dar Energy Centre
2.1 Undergraduate Programs in the Institute
Program |
Duration (Year ) |
Start Date |
Remark |
Applied Human Nutrition |
3 |
2005 |
|
Automotive Engineering |
5 |
2006 |
|
5 |
1996 |
|
|
5 |
1996 |
|
|
5 |
2006 |
|
|
4 |
1998 |
|
|
5 |
1996 |
|
|
5 |
2004 |
|
|
5 |
1998 |
|
|
4 |
2004 |
|
|
4 |
2004 |
|
|
5 |
1996 |
|
|
Software Engineering |
5 |
2014 |
|
5 |
1998 |
|
2.2. Postgraduate Programs in the Institute
The duration of all MSc programs is two years whereas the duration of the PhD program is from 3-5 years.
Program |
Start Date |
Remark |
Applied Human Nutrition |
2011 |
|
Communication Systems Engineering |
2008 |
|
Computer Science |
2011 |
|
Construction Technology and Management |
2011 |
|
Engineering Hydrology |
2010 |
|
Environmental Engineering |
2012 |
|
Geotechnical Engineering |
2012 |
|
Information Technology |
2014 |
|
Manufacturing Engineering |
2007 |
|
Mechanical Design |
2014 |
|
Power Systems Engineering |
2008 |
|
Process Engineering |
2012 |
|
Road Transport Engineering |
2014 |
|
Sustainable Energy Engineering |
2008 |
|
Thermal Engineering |
2012 |
|
PhD in Integrated Water Shade Management |
2011 |
|
PhD in Thermal Engineering |
2015 |
|
3. Number of Students in the Institute
The annual intake capacity of regular students in the institute is given the following table.
Enrolment Year
Mode of Enrolment |
Undergraduate Program |
Postgraduate Program |
|
2012
|
Regular |
2700 |
|
Extension |
600 |
|
|
2013 |
Regular |
1250 |
|
Extension |
650 |
|
|
2014 |
Regular |
1725 |
|
Extension |
800 |
|
The total number of students at the institute in the year 2014/2015 first semester is given in the following table.
Enrolment |
Undergraduate Program |
Postgraduate Program |
Regular |
8517 |
558 |
Extension |
3467 |
167 |
Total |
11, 984 |
725 |
The average percentage of female students who join the institute per year is 25 %
4. Academic Staff Profile in the Institute
The number of academic staffs in the year 2014/2015 first semester is given in the following table.
Academic Rank |
Academic Staff on Duty |
Academic Staff on Study Leave |
Remarks |
Assistant professor and above |
38 |
30 |
11 of them are foreign professors |
Lecture |
166 |
- |
|
Assistant Lecturer |
165 |
133 |
|
Technical Assistant |
96 |
35 |
|
Total |
465 |
168 |
|
5. Infrastructure/Facilities in the Institute
The institute has the following facilities to aspire the teaching-learning, research and community service activities.
S. No |
Facility |
Unit |
Quantity |
Remark |
1 |
Digital Library |
Pcs |
2 |
|
2 |
Postgraduate Library |
Pcs |
1 |
|
3 |
Standard Library |
Pcs |
4 |
|
4 |
Class Rooms |
Pcs |
60 |
|
5 |
Laboratory |
Pcs |
26 |
|
6 |
Computer Laboratory |
Pcs |
28 |
|
7 |
Machines and Workshops |
Pcs |
12 |
|
8 |
Research Grade Laboratory |
Pcs |
3 |
|
Ø Constructions underway:
G+4 complex buildings with 26 class rooms, 8 laboratory rooms, and 29 offices.
Student living room with 4000 student capacity
One Complex multipurpose building for class rooms, laboratories and offices.
6. Unique Identity/Excellence in the Institute
Bahir Dar Institute of Technology has the following unique identity.
· Focused and Fully Practical Oriented Teaching: based on the in-depth experience from the poly-technique, the course delivery system in the institute gives more emphasis on practical oriented teaching. We have the mission to become a home of technological innovation and entrepreneur driven Excellency centre. Thus, we are seriously following the practical oriented education.
· Geographical Advantage: We are found on the source of the Blue Nile River, Lake Tana. Thus, our institute is working hard to become center of excellence in Water Resources Management, Climate Monitoring, Sustainable Energy Technology and Agro-Processing
· Research Thematic Areas :
The central motive of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology is to bridge academics and industry in system-oriented research and technology transfer areas that are critical for the countries economic growth. As it is clearly stipulated on the five-year strategic document of BiT, Technology Capacity Accumulation and Transfer (TeCAT) is the key responsibility to be addressed and realized.
Therefore, the Institute has selected key research and technology competences areas based on their potential to support research projects, graduate programs and international standards. The Institute is confident that academic staffs and students will diligently contribute throughout the cycle of technology creation, development and implementation activities, which has special institutional and national interest.
Table 1: Key research areas
Sustainable Energies |
Food Processing |
Water Resources |
Transport Systems |
Environment Protection |
Information and Communication Systems |
Solar |
Crop value chain |
Water supply |
Roads |
Waste management |
Remote Sensing |
Mini-Hydropower |
Milk products |
Water quality |
Railways |
Environmental assessment |
Signal Processing |
Biogas |
Oil Seeds |
Flood management |
Maritime |
|
Software Development |
The Technology Transfer Competencies of each thematic area is outlined as follows
1. Sustainable Energy Technology
Solar |
Hydropower |
Biogas |
Cooking Stove and Efficient Lighting |
PV stand-alone systems |
MHP design & construction |
Reactor design |
Composite Mitad |
Micro-grid connected systems |
Turbine design |
Gas stove |
Biogas Burner Design |
Thermal heating/cooling |
Grid layout |
Storage system |
Efficient lamps |
|
Grid connection |
Adsorption Refrigeration |
|
2. Food Processing and Postharvest Technology
Crop Value Chain |
Milk products |
Oil Seeds |
Agricultural mechanization |
Pasteurization |
Milling Technology |
Process technology & product development |
Cooling |
Refrigeration |
Thermal drying |
Fermentation |
Filtering |
Quality assurance |
Quality Assurance |
|
International certification |
|
|
3.
Water Resource and Management
Water supply |
Water quality |
Flood management |
Water supply design |
Water quality analysis |
Hydrology |
Irrigation concepts |
Safety concepts |
Flood prevention construction |
Water supply network analysis |
Soil erosion |
|
Sanitation and Hygiene |
|
Weather observation |
|
|
Perception monitoring |
4. Transport System
Roads |
Railways |
Maritime |
Material Test |
Rail construction |
Boat construction |
Surveying |
Train systems |
Maritime technical training |
Geological Studies |
Traffic control systems |
|
5. Environmental Management and Protection
Waste management |
Environmental assessment |
Waste characterization |
Environmental impact assessment |
Waste treatment design |
Strategic environmental assessment |
Pollution prevention concepts |
Environmental management systems |
|
6. Information and Communication Systems
Remote Sensing |
Signal Processing |
ICT |
Satellite Remote Sensing |
Satellite Signal Processing Radar Signal Processing and Development |
Software Development Big Data Mobile and Cloud Comp ting |
Radar Remote Sensing |
Cooperatives Sensor Signal Processing |
Distribution Computing |
Sensor and automation |
Biomedical Signal Processing and Imaging Beamforming and Smart Processing |
Service Discovery |
|
|