1. Ethiopian TVET Institutions Innovation,
Technology Transfer and Industry Linkage
Program: Relevance, Quality, Access, and
Equity
December, 2020
2. Introduction
• Ethiopia is predominantly an agrarian economy
where 83% of the population are engaged in
Agriculture.
• To transform this to an industry-led economy, the
effective and efficient implementation of TVET is
essential.
• The main objective of TVET is to produce a lower-
and middle-level, competent, motivated, adaptable
and innovative workforce.
• National policy and Strategy are introduced to guide
TVET.
3. Cont.…
• However, no satisfactory results have been registered in
reducing poverty, increasing employability, and
advancing technologies.
• Therefore, attempts have been taken to revised the
existing policy, strategy, and programs of TVET in line
with the recommendations in the Educational
Roadmap.
• One of the major revisions is on advancing research,
innovation, industry linkage and technology transfer
undertakings.
• These undertakings should entirely focus on initiating
and increasing innovative ideas and technologies,
establishing effective and mutually interdependent
TVETI-industry linkage, and transferring technologies
effectively.
4. Definition of Key Terms
• TVET Research: refers to applied or/and technology
based researches carried out by the TVET system to
solve problems of the community.
• Innovation: Innovation is the process of creating value
by applying novel solutions to meaningful problems
• Industry Linkage: Industrial linkage refers to the
partnership between TVET institutions and industries
for mutual benefits.
• Technology Transfer (TT) ፡ refers to the process of
conveying results stemming from scientific and
technological research to the marketplace and to wider
society, along with associated skills and procedures,
and is as such an intrinsic part of the technological
innovation process.
5. Program Objectives
This program is aimed to:
• develop TVET research culture;
• encourage and recognize researchers;
• encourage, strengthening and recognize innovators up on
their achievements;
• strengthen the private training provision and encourage
enterprises to participate in the TVET system;
• ensure equal access of women and people with special needs
to TVET;
• strengthen the culture of self-employment and support job
creation in the economy, in particular in the emerging
regions;
• strengthening the Technology transfer within TVET and
among partners;
• make sure the industry linkages have produced mutual
benefits for TVET and respective industries;
6. Expected Outcomes
• Developed research culture
• Encouraged and recognized researchers
• Developed innovation culture
• Increased innovation
• Transfer of advanced technologies to the
community or industry
• Established mutually beneficiary industry extension
system
• Developed technology-based industry extension
linkage
7. PROGRAMME COMPONENT
PC-1: The Right Mindset for Innovation
Description:
• The Right Mindset for research and innovation
requires more creativity and willingness to take risks
than the implementation of typical projects.
• Basic principle: Break the rules!
• With traditional approaches and conventional
methods, you will often not get anywhere in the
field of innovation.
• Challenge the status quo consistently, and explore
new paths off the beaten track.
8. Cont.… PC-1: The Right Mindset for Innovation
Objective: To create optimistic, committed and motivated citizen for
research innovation in the TVET system;
Indicators Key Action notes
Responsible
Body
1. Promoted
positive and
right mentality
for research and
innovation
undertakings;
2. Identified
number of
problems that
initiate research
and innovation;
1. Promote positive attitude
towards research and innovation;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
2. Create the right mentality for
research and innovation;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
3. Identify number of problems
that initiate research and
innovation;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
4. Introduce new solutions for the
problems to be raised by the
trainees;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
5. Encourage new ideas that lead to
innovation;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
9. PC-2: Open Science Mindset
Description:
• Open Science mindset is the willingness to search
actively for evidence against one's favored beliefs,
plans, or goals, and to weigh such evidence fairly to
facilitate innovation.
• Collecting, organizing, analyzing, disseminating,
transferring and using information related to science
and technology.
• Rather than restricting the ‘ownership’ of discoveries
and scientific advances, open Science seeks to facilitate
knowledge acquisition through collaborative networks.
• It encourages the generation of solutions based on
openness and sharing in line global and local patent
right principles.
10. Cont.… PC-2: Open Science Mindset
Objective: To enhance and develop science culture nationally through
networks using advanced technologies and collaborative tools;
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
1. Created massive
involvement and
opportunity to
open science
mindset in the
community;
2. Created open
publication and
collaboration based
on learning;
1. Create massive involvement of
science in the community;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
2. Create opportunities for community
practices such as Open Source, Open
Access, Open Data, and Shared
Facilities;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
3. Aware citizen on science, public
policy, and Science Diplomacy;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
4. Facilitate Open Publication; MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETI
5. Exercise Team & Design based
Learning;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
6. Practice Open Collaboration among
TVET;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVET
Institutions
11. PC-3: Research
Description:
• TVET has become a recognized and well-defined area of
interdisciplinary research.
• The TVET system should be complemented by research
undertakings since there are problems faced by practitioners
in the area.
• An applied and/or technology based researches are relevant
to the TVET system since they are used to solve specific and
practical problems that TVET institutions and the community
face.
• This helps to conduct labour market study which in turn helps
to narrow the mismatch between the market demand and
supply.
• It also helps to promote and upgrade indigenous knowledge,
skills and talents through research undertakings.
12. Cont.…PC-3: Research
• Objective: To develop research culture and research involvement of practitioners in
the TVET setting;
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
1. Established
research system
in TVET;
2. Developed
research culture in
TVET;
3. Increased applied
and/or technology
based researches
conducted;
4. Conducted
conferences and
disseminated
findings;
1. Design research policy and guidelines
at institutional level;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETI
2. Raise practitioners’ awareness on
research in TVET;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETI
3. Conduct research on indigenous
knowledge, skills and talents, and upgrade
them for the betterment of the
community’s life;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETI
4. Conduct labour market study; MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETI
5. Conduct applied and technology based
researches to solve problems of the
community;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETI
6. Organize research conferences at
national and international levels;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETI
7. Establish local proceedings and
journals;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETI
13. PC-3: Innovation
Description:
• Innovation is a process by which a domain, a product,
or a service is renewed;
• It helps to bring updates by applying new processes,
introducing new techniques, or establishing successful
ideas to create new value.
• Innovation in TVET is the process of adopting or
adapting a certain technology in a way that it improves
the lifestyle of the community
• Innovation facilitates the process of applying novel
solutions to meaningful problems.
• Innovation needs the diversity of various competencies
and diverse ways of thinking.
14. Cont.… Innovation
• Objective: To enhance the relevance, quality, access, and equity of innovation in
the TVET system at individual and institutional levels;
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
1. Increased reformed
and innovation
centered TVET
institutions;
2. Established and
equipped innovation
centers, institutions
and center of
excellence in TVET;
3. Increased patented
and commercialized
discoveries with
effective
dissemination system;
4. Fulfilled human and
material resources
that facilitate
innovation;
1. Reform TVET institutions; MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
2. Establish qualified innovation centers,
institutions and center of excellence in
TVET;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
3. Accredit innovation laboratories and
centers
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
4. Increase number of patents, and
commercialized discoveries;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
5. Assign competent staff at laboratories,
workshop, and innovation centers;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
6. Implement Innovation induction
programs in TVET;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
7. Conduct formal innovation review at
TVET level;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
8. Engage private TVETIs to participate
in problem solving innovation activities;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
15. Cont.… Table Innovation
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
9. Engage private TVETIs to participate in problem
solving innovation activities;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
10. Furnish innovation centers, institutions with
quality infrastructures and facilities;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
11. Avail new space for incubation and display center; MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
12. Affiliate TVETIs with international innovation
laboratories and infrastructure;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
13. Encourage innovators to transfer Technology; MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
14. Disseminate patents and innovation products to
beneficiaries;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
15. Increase graduating trainees’ engagement in
technology transfer;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
16. Align Innovation activities of TVET with
industries and enterprises;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
17. Encourage trainees and trainers participation in
innovation in TVET;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
16. Cont.….Table Innovation
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
18. Address community problems through Patents,
and commercialized innovation outputs;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
19. Increase number of innovation undertakings
applicable to be patented and converted to
technological products;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
20. Provide funding opportunities and reward systems
for innovation and innovation-oriented technology
transfer;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
21. Motivate Innovators to create reliable and new
findings;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
22. Motivate innovators to produce ideas and
creations;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
23. Increase communication/disseminations
modalities to address innovations outputs;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
24. Establish funding opportunities and reward
systems to motivate innovators;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
17. PC-4: Industry Linkage
Description:
• TVET institutions and industry can be demonstrated to
be core actors in the national innovation system.
• The strength and effectiveness of the established
linkages among TVET institutions largely depends on
their tendency and capability to be involved in activities
dealing with technology transfer.
• The shared effort should also focus on identifying
appropriate technologies and their sources,
understanding the technologies through learning-by-
doing and adaptation as well as effective utilization.
• Thus, joint cooperation and support system among the
actors shall be established with the aim to support and
facilitate the search, selection, importation, adaptation
and utilization of effective technologies.
18. Cont.…. Industry Linkage
• Objective: Improve the relevance, quality, access, and equity of Industry Linkage in
the TVET system at individual and institutional levels;
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
1. Improved and efficient
technology transfer
communication system with
industries and enterprises;
2. Increased number and
quality of technologies
transferred for
beneficiaries;
3. Improved and aligned
innovation activities of TVET
with industries and
enterprises;
4. Established partnership,
funding, and motivation
mechanisms for effective
industry linkage;
1. Apply technology transfer
communication system with
industries and enterprises;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
2. Increase number of innovations
and technologies transferred to the
industry/enterprise;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
3. Increase number of partnerships
and linkages established;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
4. Establish consultancy service
system in TVET;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
5. Align innovation activities of
TVET with the demand of
industries and enterprises;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
6. Increase number of communities
benefited from the established
linkage;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
19. Cont.…Industry Linkage Table
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
7. Address community problems
through patents and commercialized
innovation outputs using the linkages
established;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
8. Establish motivation mechanisms for
effective industry linkage;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
9. Provide funding opportunities and
reward systems for effective industry
linkage;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
10. Increase number of established
partnership with national/international
academic institutions;
MoSHE, FTA,
FTI,RTB/A, TVETIs
20. PC-5: Technology Transfer
Description:
• The issue of technology transfer should primarily focus on
devising a system of learning, adopting, adapting and
utilizing as well as disposing of technologies in order to
meet national demand.
• However, most technology transfer activities currently
carried out in the country are not in line with the envisaged
technology demands of the development programs.
• In general, the national capability to learn, adapt and utilize
technologies is still at a very low stage.
• Hence, appropriate support shall be given to create
capabilities of innovating new ideas and technologies and
transferring them to the industry through the TVET system.
21. Cont.…Technology Transfer
• Objective: Enhance the relevance, quality, access, and equity of technology
transfer in the TVET system at individual and institutional levels;
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
1. Availed national
innovation and
technology transfer
system;
2. Increased and
qualified technologies
transferred to
enterprises;
3. Created equipped and
modernized TVET
institutions suitable for
the technology transfer;
4. Established
communication and
partnerships;
1. Avail national innovation and
technology transfer council to
implement in prioritized sectors
addressing socio-economic growth in
the country;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
2. Conduct value chain analysis for
technology transfer undertakings;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
3. Involve industries and enterprises on
technology transfer activities;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
4. Increase number of innovations and
technologies transferred for
beneficiaries;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
5. Increase number of TVETIs with a
focus on science, research, innovation,
and technology transfer;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
22. Cont.…Technology Transfer Table
Indicators Key Action notes Responsible Body
6. Expand innovation centers, and TVET institutions
that facilitates technology transfer;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
7. Fulfill Infrastructures and laboratory/workshop
equipment;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
8. Affiliate with international innovation
laboratories/workshops/institutes;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
9. Increase the number of graduating trainee’s
engagement in technology transfer;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
10. Balance the technology transfer capability of
TVET institutions across the country;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
11. Align technology transfer activities of TVET with
demands of industries and enterprises;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
12. Increase number of trainers participating in
technology transfer;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
13. Increase number of communities benefited from
technology transfer;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
14. Provide funding opportunities and reward systems
for technology transfer;
MoSHE, FTA, FTI,RTB/A,
TVETIs
