Dire Dawa Polytechnic College is poised to begun large scale production of spare parts for industrial machinery and diversify its income thanks to its strong partnerships with industry. The Polytechnic’s Industry Advisory Board has recommended commercial production of the spare parts the college has been producing for Dawa Food Complex PLC, which was a result of industrial attachment of its trainers at the company.
The college established collaboration with Dewele Railway Company, Dire Dawa Food Complex PLC, and Beera Coffee PLC to facilitate industrial attachments for its trainers. Through the industrial attachments, trainers used their expertise to design a machine part known as “Flange Coupling” for the Dire Dawa Food complex.
One of the spare parts produced and installed by trainers at Dire Dawa Polytechnic College for Dire Dawa Food Complex PLC.
Through the industrial attachments, trainers were able to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge, which directly translated into improved teaching and training at the college. The East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) emphasizes close collaboration between for the Regional Flagship TVET Institutes to establish and institutionalize institute-industry linkages.
By Mesay Tilahun, EASTRIP Project M and E Specialist at Dire Dawa Polytechnic College