Biomedical Engineering for Jimma Project Kick-off

Biomedical Engineering for Jimma (BEJIM), a joint project between Anhalt University, Germany and Jimma University, Ethiopia, kicked-off today Jimma University.
The main objective of the project is to capacitate and strengthen Biomedical engineering education in Jimma and Ethiopia at large.
On his welcoming speech Dr. Jemal Abafita, President of Jimma University indicated that the BEJIM helps to solve health service provision challenges and creates a huge capacity towards transforming the Biomedical Engineering (BME) education, research and service in Ethiopia. He also added that through collaboration, partnership and exchange of ideas and views we can build on what we have achieved so far and take it to the next level.
During the occasion memorandum of understanding was signed between the two universities.
On his brief introduction of this JU-DAAD Project, Professor Boris Bracio, the project PI, stated that Biomedical engineering is an umbrella science that demands biomedical engineers to have the skills in different engineering fields.
Following the presentation, a detailed discussion was made with participants. The BEJIM kick-off meeting was successful in gathering ideas from different participants that could help strengthen the project implementation.
On behalf of Ministry of Health (MoH), Ethiopia, Dr. Asegid Samuel madw a closing remark, in which he pointed out that such projects need to be expanded in other areas too. He added that government is investing billions of dollars for medical equipment, but we don’t have an efficient maintenance system, which makes the need for supporting initiatives like the current project. Finally, he stressed that everyone should make sure that ownership is in place and put efforts towards sustaining the project.
Biomedical engineering project prototypes found in Jimma University’s Simbona workshop and incubation center has been visited during the week and discussion was held with relevant offices as part of Biomedical engineering week for Jimma.
Presidents and representatives of JU cluster universities, JU Executives, Guests from JHAPIEGO, GiZ, MOE, and MoH, Guests from Cluster Universities, Jimma University biomedical engineers and invited guests were among the participants who took part in the workshop.