Dr. Samuel Mezemir

Position: Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer
Position: Associate Professor (Food Biotechnology)
Phone Number: +251912684008
Institutional Email: samuelmezemir@arsiun.edu.et
Office Telephone: +251 (0)22-331-7815
Office Number and Location: Center/AMAE

Message from the Director

Welcome to the Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer (UIL & TT) Directorate of Arsi University.

As Ethiopia advances toward a knowledge-driven, innovation-based economy, universities play a critical role in generating solutions to societal and industrial challenges. The UIL & TT Directorate serves as a strategic bridge between Arsi University and industry, facilitating collaboration, innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

Our commitment is to ensure that teaching, research, and innovation produce tangible benefits for society by strengthening partnerships, supporting applied research, and transforming knowledge into impactful products, services, and technologies.

We warmly invite industries, government institutions, development partners, researchers, and innovators to collaborate with us in creating sustainable solutions and fostering inclusive development.

Dr. Samuel Mezemir

Director, Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer

About the Directorate

The Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer (UIL & TT) Directorate of Arsi University serves as a strategic platform connecting the University with industries, communities, government institutions, and development partners.

Established in alignment with Ethiopia’s transformation toward Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), the Directorate plays a central role in ensuring that education, research, and innovation remain responsive to real-world challenges and national development priorities.

Operating under the Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, the Directorate leads initiatives that strengthen partnerships, promote applied research, and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology for societal and economic development.

Our Vision

To position Arsi University as a regional hub of excellence in applied research, innovation, technology transfer, and industry collaboration, contributing to sustainable development and global competitiveness.

Our Mission

  • Strengthen university- industry partnerships
  • Promote applied research and innovation
  • Facilitate technology transfer and commercialization
  • Support entrepreneurship and business incubation
  • Ensure effective intellectual property (IP) management

Institutional Structure

The UIL & TT Directorate is structured to manage its core mandates through specialized roles and units efficiently.

Core Units and Roles

  • UIL and Partnership Officer
    Facilitates partnerships, coordinates collaboration agreements, and strengthens relationships with industry and stakeholders.
  • Technology Transfer Officer
    Manages the transfer of technologies developed within the university to industry and community users.
  • Technology Innovation & Business Incubation Support Officer
    Supports innovation development, startup creation, and incubation services through Technology Business Incubation Centers (BTICs).
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Management Officer
    Oversees IP protection, patenting, licensing, and commercialization processes.
  • College/School UIL & TT Focal Persons
    Coordinate UIL and TT activities at the college level, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. University-Industry Collaboration

The Directorate establishes and manages partnerships with industries across sectors such as:

  • Agriculture
  • Health
  • Manufacturing
  • Technology and Engineering

Key Activities:

  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)
  • Joint program development
  • Industry participation in curriculum design
  • Collaborative problem-solving initiatives

2. Experiential Learning Programs

Internships

  • Structured student placements in industry
  • Supervised training aligned with academic programs
  • Continuous monitoring and evaluation

Externships

  • Short-term industry exposure for academic staff
  • Enhances practical knowledge and teaching relevance

Cooperative Training

  • Integrated academic-industry training model
  • Competency-based assessment and certification

3. Joint Applied Research & Consultancy

  • Collaborative research addressing real industry problems
  • Sponsored research and consultancy projects
  • Incentives for researchers engaging in applied work

4. Technology Transfer (TT)

The Directorate ensures that innovations developed within the University reach the market and society.

Key Functions:

  • Technology identification and evaluation
  • Licensing and commercialization
  • Industry adoption of innovations
  • Support for innovation scaling

5. Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship

Through Technology Business Incubation Centers (BTICs), the Directorate:

  • Supports startups and innovators
  • Provides mentorship, workspace, and technical support
  • Facilitates access to funding and markets
  • Encourages student and staff entrepreneurship

6. Intellectual Property (IP) Management

The Directorate ensures protection and fair utilization of innovations through:

  • IP registration and patenting
  • Licensing agreements
  • Revenue sharing mechanisms
  • Legal compliance and dispute resolution

Advisory and Governance Framework

To ensure effectiveness and accountability, the Directorate operates with structured advisory systems:

  • University-Level UIL & TT Advisory Board
  • College-Level UIL Committees
  • BTIC Advisory Boards
  • Technology Transfer & IP Advisory Committee

These bodies support strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance.

Funding and Resource Mobilization

The Directorate actively mobilizes resources through:

  • Industry partnerships
  • Sponsored research projects
  • Grants and development programs
  • Innovation funding schemes

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Capacity Building

  • Performance indicators for UIL & TT activities
  • Regular evaluation and reporting systems
  • Continuous capacity building for staff and stakeholders

Our Strategic Focus Areas

Aligned with national priorities, Arsi University focuses on:

  • Agriculture
  • Health Sciences
  • Technology
  • Engineering

These areas guide all UIL and TT initiatives toward impactful outcomes.

Why UIL & TT Matter

The Directorate plays a vital role in:

  • Enhancing graduate employability
  • Bridging the gap between education and industry
  • Driving innovation-led economic growth
  • Supporting community development

Contact & Collaboration

The UIL & TT Directorate welcomes partnerships with:

  • Industries and private sector organizations
  • Government institutions
  • NGOs and development partners
  • Researchers and innovators

Together, we transform knowledge into impact.