About The Field

Chemical engineering is the branch of Engineering that is concerned with the production of bulk materials from basic raw materials based on chemical and physico-chemical processes in an economical way. There are tens of thousands of products manufactured by chemical and process industries. These includes: fertilizers, plastics, artificial fibers, paints, glasses, minerals, refined metals, paper, oils, soaps, ceramics, alcoholic drinks, beverages, processed foods, fuels, medicines etc.

The Department

The first courses in Chemical Engineering were offered as a minor program within the department of Mechanical Engineering of the Faculty of Technology from 1981 to 1986. The percent full-fledged Chemical Engineering education leading to B.Sc. degree started after five years in 1986.

The percent full-fledged Chemical Engineering education leading to B.Sc. degree started after five years in 1986. Since the starting of the program, more than 400 Major Chemical Engineering B.Sc. Graduates and 26 Minor Chemical Engineering Graduates have been produced.

Missions

The industrial sector of Ethiopia, particularly that of chemical and related industries is at a very low level of development. About 95% of the factories in Ethiopia are largely dependent on imported raw materials and the utilization of these factories is below capacity. These factories are mainly engaged in the formulation and packaging of imported semi processed or finished products. Thus the need to develop raw materials and to transform the low technological level of factories in the country to a higher level is of paramount importance. This transformation requires first and foremost the critical professional input of the Chemical Engineer.

The main objectives of the Chemical Engineering Department are:

• To produce qualified Chemical Engineers who are instrumental in the development of the industrial sector of the country.
  
• To carry out research in line with the development needs of the
  country.
• To provide consultancy and technical services to the industrial
  sector and other socio-economic sectors of the country.
  

Study Programs

Currently the department conducts the following programs:

• BSc. program in Chemical Engineering.
• Graduate programs in Environmental, Food, and Process engineering.
• Advanced diploma courses in Chemical Engineering.
  

Future Plans

Some of the terms appointed for execution for the times to come:

• Beginning of PhD program in the subsequent graduate studies.
• Strengthening the existing B.Sc,, and M.Sc. programs.
• Expanding the current research activities.
  
• Strengthening the link between the department and Industries.
• Launching a new B.Sc Program in Environmental Engineering and Food Engineering as a Minor
  programs.
• Launching new M.Sc. Programs as per the
  requirement of the country.

In addition, the ever-increasing need of getting raw materials, attaining high efficiency in industries, chemical for processing, energy demand, cleaning up pollution, protecting the environment, etc. should keep the demand for Chemical Engineers high in the coming years than ever. Chemical Engineers are also needed in solving problems in food processing industries, in the manufacturing of consumer goods such as cement, plastic, glass etc. Thus career prospects for young and talented Chemical Engineers will be bright.