Logistics

IPLogE - Integration of Practice-oriented Logistics Education in Ethiopia

Project content

Motivation

Ethiopia - with a focus on the textile and food industry sectors - is pursuing the goal of developing into a central production centre in Africa. Cross-functional logistics is essential in both the textile and food industries for the implementation of efficient workflows in the value creation networks and promotes the sustainable development of the country.

For this reason, logistics education must be understood as a fundamental basis for economic growth. However, university teaching in the field of logistics is based more on theoretical logistics concepts than on linking them to practice-relevant content. This results in a gap between the theoretical understanding of logistics concepts and their successful application in a concrete business environment. Consequently, students experience inadequate training for their upcoming tasks in practice, resulting in fewer employment opportunities after graduation.

 

Objectives

Against the background of the circumstances described, the IPLogE project intends to improve the practical orientation of logistics teaching at Addis Ababa University (AAU) and to adapt it to the logistical specifics of the textile and food industry in Ethiopia. For this reason, the focus of this joint project between the Technischen Universität Berlin (TUB) and the AAU is to better prepare students for the future requirements of the labour market and to provide opportunities to get in touch with potential employers earlier. To achieve this, this project aims to contribute to the following main fields of action (among others):

  1. Bachelor's and Master's modules at the AAU are revised by integrating practice-oriented logistics case studies from the textile and food industries to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
  2. Offers relevant to the labour market that promote students' contact with practice are made available on a regular basis (e.g. annual logistics contact fair, regular company excursions).
  3. An annual cooperation seminar between the AAU and the TUB is established. Students from both universities will work together on real case studies from German and Ethiopian companies. In doing so, students will acquire intercultural skills relevant for future employment opportunities in addition to practical application.
  4. AAU and TUB will jointly conduct practice-oriented research projects on process improvement and resource efficiency in the textile and food industry. The aim will be to create synergies between conducting case studies for teaching purposes and analysing these case studies for research.

 

AAU and TUB are supported by a select group of business partners from Ethiopia, Germany and Switzerland by providing practical content and assisting in the achievement of planned project objectives.

Research approach

Results, dates and events

Upcoming events*

  • Wintersemester 20/21: Kurs "African Logistics Networks"
  • Autumn 2020: 1. Konferenz "Ethiopian Logistics in Practice" in Addis Ababa

 

*Due to Covid-19 circumstances, dates may be postponed.

 

Opening of a logistics research laboratory at Addis Ababa University

On 24 February 2020, in cooperation with TUB and with the support of the Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienst (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the first logistics research laboratory of our partner university in Ethiopia was inaugurated.

This research lab will enable students to work with various learning software (e.g. ERP systems, supply chain simulation and optimisation tools) and exchange ideas and research interests with the university's teaching staff to promote innovative approaches to current and future logistics challenges in Ethiopia and on the African continent.

 

Project sponsor

Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)- Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - im Rahmen der Sonderinitiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition"

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) - German Academic Exchange Service - im Rahmen des Programms "University-Business-Partnerships between Higher Education Institutions and Business Partners in Germany and in Africa"

Project partner

Partner universities:

  • Chair of Logistics, Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), Germany
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management Unit, School of Commerce, College of Business and Economics, Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia

Business partner:

  • Bundesvereinigung Logistik e.V. (BVL), Germany
  • ATTAKORA Fördergesellschaft GmbH / “Cotton made in Africa” (CmiA), Germany
  • Kuehne Foundation (KS), Switzerland
  • Bahir Dar Textile Share Company (BDT), Ethiopia
  • Ethiopian Logistics and Supply Chain Management Professional Association (ELSA), Ethiopia

Project duration:

01.07.2019 - 31.12.2022

Contact

M.Sc.

Angelica Coll

Research Associate

coll@logistik.tu-berlin.de

+49 30 314-26745

Organization name Logistics
Office H 90
Building Hauptgebäude (H)
Room H 9177
Office hoursby appointment