Scope of Chemical Engineering in Ethiopia

1. Introduction
Chemical engineering is the profession that is needed for the conception, creation (design),
operation, control, optimization, and improvement of the process industries. Examples of
products that are the results of the works of chemical engineers include various chemicals,
petrochemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other medicines, agrochemicals, processed foods,
energy (fuels, nuclear energy, others), pulp and paper, beverages, cement, ceramics, and many
others. It is the chemical engineer, who is responsible for conceiving (product, Process, and
equipment), designing, operating, controlling, optimizing, and improving (modifying and
modernizing) the industries that produce the aforementioned products and myriads of others.
The profession of chemical engineering is unique among the engineering professions because of
the fact that while all engineers (chemicals engineers included) use and manipulate mathematics,
physics, and engineering art to solve technical problems in a safe and Economical fashion, it is
only the chemical engineer that uses the vast and powerful sciences of chemistry and nowadays
biology in order to come up with a wide range of products for the Common good of mankind.
This actually makes the chemical engineer’s scope much broader than others.

What does a Chemical Engineer do?

The duties of a chemical engineer are as follows: a chemical engineer -
 conducts research to develop an improved manufacturing process.
 provides safety measures for those working with dangerous chemicals.
 works on making products like food, and drinks.
 helps in managing world's resources.
 protect the environment by providing health and safety standards.

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 Scope of Chemical Engineering in Ethiopia

2. Back Ground
The first courses in chemical engineering at Addis Ababa University were offered as part of a
Minor Program within the Department of Mechanical Engineering from 1981-1986. After five
years of intensive preparation, the present full-fledged Chemical Engineering education leading
to B.Sc. degree was launched in 1986 with the following three objectives:
 Teaching
 Research
 Consultancy and Technical Services
So far, the department has made remarkable progress in teaching; and more than four hundred
students have graduated. Most of these graduates are working in different industries and
enterprises such as chemical, cement, beverage, sugar, food factories and mineral processing
industries, as well as educational institutions.
Moreover, several efforts are underway to boost research and consultancy services. The
Chemical Engineering Department had actively participated in projects carried out by the Faculty
of Technology. Development of household de fluoridation equipment is the ongoing research
undertaken by the department. Most of the final year projects submitted by graduating students
are geared towards solving real-life industrial problems.
In addition the Department has given and is continuing to give consultancy services to industries,
and government bodies in areas related to feasibility studies, product development, and
optimization of processing conditions in industries as well as environmental and social impact
assessment studies.
After fifteen years of experience of running full-fledged undergraduate program in Chemical
Engineering, the department launched a postgraduate program in 2002. The first phase of the
graduate program was commenced with a curriculum leading to Masters of Science in Chemical
Engineering with emphasis on Process Engineering. After three years of graduated program
experience, the second phase was activated in 2005 with two new emphasis areas – Food
Engineering and Environmental Engineering and more recently in 2008 PhD programs in
Process, Food and Environmental Engineering.

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3. Current Status
Currently in Ethiopia the practice of chemical engineering is at a very rudimentary stage. Many
vital problems of the country can be solved by cultivating such professions. Chemical
engineering can play significant role to alleviate poverty and food shortage, as well as prevention
of environmental deterioration from traditional practice. It is undeniable that a large capacity,
safe and economical production of quality outputs is a solution to the mainly agrarian community
and weak economy of the country. Industries with such production efficiency can be in many
small scales or large scales. At present, the number of such industries in the country is way
below the required. Therefore, much effort needs to be done so as to boost the numbers. Hence,
in materializing the ambition of industrial development, chemical engineering and chemical
engineers can contribute to a great extent.

The world of chemical engineering is continually evolving. Consequently fresh chemical

engineering graduates are required to assimilate rapidly to new and emerging technologies, in
addition to the existing extensive scope of this field.

Therefore, it is clear that at present Ethiopia expands and give ambitions to industry
developments but lacks technical professionals: Generally there are no enough professionals of
chemical engineers in different sectors of industry which the government has given priority such
as sugar industries, textiles, garments, leather and food processing.

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3. Future
A few decades ago, our industry needs Chemical Engineering profession within the country
to put the nascent initiatives for the development of chemical engineering education and fill
the gap of the country in the Chemical Engineering profession.
Since its modest beginning, at Addis Ababa University, Institute of Technology, Chemical
Engineering has come a long way contributing to the profession in the country. Chemical
Engineering profession always molding itself and playing a proactive role to keep up with the
dynamic needs of the country’s economy.
Chemical engineer plays its role in improving the life of Ethiopians and the capacity of
Ethiopian industries through the transforming power of Chemical Engineering. And also
advancing the broader application of chemical engineering in Ethiopia and engage its
practitioners in the development targets of the country for the benefit of the country and its
people

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 Scope of Chemical Engineering in Ethiopia

4. The most common University which chemical Engineering is studied

The chemical engineering profession is youngest science based engineering profession. In
Ethiopia, it has age not more than 20 years and the program was offered only in two universities
(BDU and AAU). Now, more than 14 universities have already launched the program.
Undergraduate program
1. Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
2. Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
3. Bahir Dar University- Institute of
4. Ethiopian Institute of Technology-Mekele University
5. Adigrat University
6. Ethiopian Institute of Technology-Hawassa University
7. Bule Hora University
8. Dire Dawa University-Dire Dawa Institute of Technology
9. Haramaya University- Institute of Technology
10. Wollega University
11. Samara University
12. Wolkite University
13. Wachemo University
14. Kombolcha Institute of Technology -Wollo University

Postgraduate program
1. Addis Ababa university
2. Bahir Dar University- Institute of Technology
3. Jimma University- Jimma Institute of Technology
4. Adigrat University
5. Dire Dawa University-Dire Dawa Institute of Technology
6. Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
7. Adama Science and Technology University

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