19/09/2022
Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University has organized a site visit on the living lab research and community engagement project at Dengesh*ta Kebele in Dangla District
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The Management team, led by Dr. Seifu Admasu, scientific director of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT), visited the progress of the living lab project at Dangisheta site in Dangila woreda on May 29, 2021. The research and community engagement project is “DAAD exceed Program for Sustainable Energies and Entrepreneurship in the Global south running by Bahir Dar Institute of Technology in collaboration with Technical University of Munich (TUM)”. The ultimate goal of the project is to electrify selected households and implement solar irrigation systems so as to improve the productivity and entrepreneurial skill of the target communities.
Bahir Dar Institute of Technology has prepared the design and sizing of the living lab that can irrigate over 10 hectares of land and electrify about 100 households. According to the site visit, a borehole of about 160m deep was successfully completed. Based on the pump test, its yield is more than 30 liters per second.
After a visit to the progress of the project, a brief discussion was held between the community and the management team. The former Scientific Director of BiT and PI of the project, Dr. Nigus Gabbiye, introduced the overview of the project to the community and BiT management team. Dr Mekuanint Agegnehu, Deputy Scientific Director of Research and Community Service, in his turn, briefed the community about the overview of activities of BiT-BDU related to community services. Dangisheta Wareketo Kebele Administrator, Mr. Yenew Abera, and Water Resources Team leader of Dangla District, Mr. Abebe Bitew, have presented their gratitude to BiT-BDU and vowed on behalf of the community to securely reserve the implemented project and support in any further state of affairs necessary in the completion of the left over phases of the living lab.
Dr. Seifu Admasu, Scientific Director of BiT-BDU, has made a clothing remark and revealed the directions for the way forwards to the community and his team. In his clothing remark, Dr. Seifu, appreciated the hospitality of the community and leaders of the municipality, appreciated their engagement with the institute since 2014 E.C. and informed the community is best in welcoming any new interventions which is the reason of being selected among other sites for this project. Finally, he wrapped up his clothing remarks by advising the community to own the project and be a model community and further giving insight for the project team to focus on defining the irrigated land, the infrastructures needed and discuss continually with the community how to manage the remaining phases of the project.
