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AAU, JICA Host Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) Startup Acceleration Training

On October 22, 2024, the Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer Office of Addis Ababa University, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, hosted a 10-day training for university students at the Eshetu Chole Hall.

Solomon Kiros, PhD, the Director for University-Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer, articulated that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between JICA, AAU, and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology.

He said the agreement aims to introduce capacity-building initiatives focused on innovation, incubation, and startups.

He noted that the program is designed to provide students with technical training, thereby significantly enhancing their entrepreneurial mindset and fostering their development as business-oriented graduates.

Dr Solomon further stated that the training aims to equip students with knowledge that will be advantageous to the nation across various sectors, including education, tourism, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and information and communication technology (ICT).

He mentioned that one hundred and fifteen students from different divisions of Addis Ababa University submitted proposals, of whom the top eighteen who presented the most innovative proposals successfully completed the incubation and startup training.

Dr. Hailu Elias, the Dean of the College of Business and Economics, stated that Addis Ababa University is undergoing unprecedented transformation, adding the university ‘s new strategic plan aims to produce entrepreneurial graduates.

Betelihem Zewdie, the Director of R & D Group Ethiopia, emphasized that the program serves as a training initiative designed to assist students in transforming their business concepts into strategic plans, as well as effectively identifying and organizing their marketing systems and customer bases.

It was mentioned that in addition to Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa University of Science and Technology, Mekele and Jimma Universities will participate in the trainings.

Editor-in-chief: Dr. Amanuel Gebru

Web Reporter: Theodros Shewangizaw

Photographer: Alazar Demissie