Technology Transfer and Community Engagement Directorate

Adigrat University was established as one of the third-generation public institutions of higher education in Ethiopia with the primary mandate of delivering quality education, providing problem-solving researches, and supporting the community through multi-dimensional engagements. Among these, Community Engagement and Technology Transfer Directorate Strengthens the university’s relationship with the community through outreach programs, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer initiatives.

Adigrat University recognizes Technology Transfer and Community Engagement as a central responsibility. The institution is dedicated to sharing its expertise with society, transferring appropriate technologies, and implementing projects that address pressing societal challenges.

To fulfill this mission, the Technology Transfer and Community Engagement Directorate (TTCE) was established under the Office of the Vice President for Academic, Research, Technology Transfer, and Community Engagement (VPARTTCE).

Key Roles of TTCE

• Quality trainings – Equipping communities with practical skills and knowledge.
• Consultancy services – Providing expert guidance to organizations and local initiatives.
• Outreach programs – Strengthening ties between the university and the wider community.
• Technology transfer – Ensuring innovations developed within the university benefit society.
• Community development projects – Implementing demand-driven initiatives that solve real-world problems.

This framing highlights Adigrat University’s proactive role in bridging academia and society, positioning the TTCE as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development.

Mission

The mission of Adigrat University’s Technology Transfer and Community Engagement Office is to link academic research with societal needs by promoting innovation, transferring knowledge and technologies to local communities, and fostering sustainable development through outreach, consultancy, and collaborative projects.

Vision

Adigrat University aims to rank among Ethiopia’s top ten problem‑solving universities by 2031 G.C., driven by excellence in technology transfer and meaningful community engagement.

General Objective

 To support communities through capacity building, problem‑solving initiatives, outreach programs, and consultancy services, while cultivating strong partnerships that drive sustainable development.

Specific Objectives

• Deliver trainings and consultancy services tailored to community needs.
• Implement demand-driven outreach and development projects that improve livelihoods.
• Strengthen collaboration with stakeholders and partners.
• Facilitate technology transfer to support local innovation and development.
• Promote indigenous knowledge, environmental stewardship, and cultural values

The TTCED shall have the duties and responsibilities to:

Provide strategic leadership in coordinating and overseeing technology transfer and community engagement initiatives across the University’s colleges, schools, and campuses.

• Plan, organize, lead and facilitate technology transfer activities;
• Producing guidelines on technological innovations and adoption, and intellectual properties that are being approved by concerned administration body such as University Senate;
• Organizing awareness creation and training programs on technology transfer for Academic staffs;
• Facilitating and monitoring the implementation of community services and technology transfer activities;
• Ensure the protection of intellectual property right related issues;
• Plan, develop and execute establishment of incubation centers in consultation with relevant units;
• Play active role in attracting markets for rendering research, community service and consultancy in collaboration with the relevant University units;
• Arrange and facilitate for popularizing, marketing and testing of technology;
• Solicit fund for projects related to adaptive research and technology transfer;
• Monitor and follow-up the proper implementation of Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT);
• Ensure that the Senate Legislation, pertinent laws, directives of the Senate and its committees and guidelines in relation to KTT;
• Establish and maintain central KTT database;
• Responsible for any other related activities in KTT;
• Collaborate with the relevant academic units in executing KTT activities;
• Coordinate, facilitate and guide community service and consultancy to be provided by the various academic units of the University;
• Initiate and facilitate conducting needs assessment in communities;
• Guide and support academic units in their efforts to facilitate the solicitation and delivery of community service and consultancy in their areas of excellence;
• Solicit fund for proposal development related to community services;
• Proactively promote consultancy services on various professional and technical areas, and provide the services competitively with best quality;
• Ensure that the University benefit financially from the consultancy services provided to the various organizations and communities;
• Award and monitor University level community service and consultancy undertakings;
• Develop University-wide policies and guidelines for community services and consultancy undertakings;
• Make regular follow-up and monitoring of community service and consultancy activities and require academic units to submit annual reports thereof;
• Establish and maintain central database for the community services and consultancy activities rendered;

Thematic Areas

Technology transfer and community engagement at Adigrat University are designed to be problem-solving and demand-driven, relying on community-identified priorities rather than assumptions.