Bahir Dar Institute of Technology

PhD Dissertation Public Defense Held at BiT–BDU [October 21, 2026 / Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] ============================== Mr. Meheretab Achamyelew Yigzaw successfully defended his PhD dissertation at the Faculty of Civil and Water Resource Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University (BiT-BDU). His dissertation, titled “Developing a Contextual Framework for Sustainable Commercial Building Development through Assessment of current Implementation Practices, Determinant Factors, and Stakeholder Role Effectiveness” His study focuses on evaluating current construction practices, identifying critical driving factors, and measuring how effectively stakeholders perform their roles to create a customized framework for sustainable commercial properties. The advanced research was guided by a prominent committee of national and international academic experts: Main Supervisor: Dr. Asregedew Kassa Woldesenbet (Addis Ababa University) Co-Supervisor: Dr. Asmamaw Tadege Shiferaw (Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway) Dr. Solomon Melaku Belay (Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University) The public defense concludes Mr. Meheretab's rigorous doctoral program, contributing vital contextual frameworks to the field of sustainable civil engineering and commercial building development. During the session, examiners and members of the academic community engaged the candidate with rigorous questions regarding the study's research methodology, theoretical foundations, and core findings. Mr. Meheretab addressed the feedback with clear, well-structured, and scientifically grounded explanations, demonstrating an exceptional mastery of his research area. The Bahir Dar Institute of Technology extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Meheretab Achamyelew and his entire supervisory team on achieving this significant academic milestone, which contributes vital solutions to modern power distribution challenges. Information and Strategic Communication Office Facebook፡- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://www.bdu.edu.et/bit Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly/

Event milestone: This marks the 7th National Cyber Security Month for INSA, and the 2nd time BiT has co-hosted the celebrations. Scheduling challenges: He noted that due to overlapping schedules, this year's event was less grand than the previous year, which featured a higher turnout of senior government officials. However, he expressed great satisfaction with the ongoing collaboration. The BiT and INSA Partnership Deep collaboration: Beyond Cybersecurity Month, BiT and INSA cooperate on numerous strategic initiatives. Academic history: BiT launched its first undergraduate degree program in cybersecurity six years ago. Curriculum & teaching support: INSA has supported the program since its inception by helping design the curriculum and sending experts to teach courses. Student internships: Almost all cybersecurity students from BiT intern at INSA, with cohorts ranging from 15, 20, to 30 students annually. Capacity building: INSA provides regular short-term trainings for BiT staff and students. Cyber Security Summer Camp: BiT hosted the first-ever INSA Summer Camp held outside of Addis Ababa, which is now successfully concluding its second year. The Digital Era and Rising Cyber Threats Digitalization push: As Ethiopia targets its 2030 development goals, all information, assets, and infrastructure are rapidly transitioning to digital spaces. The "One Click" danger: Dr. Mitiku warned that users are always "just one click away" from a devastating cyber attack. Explosive attack metrics: Citing data shared by his colleague Tedros, he noted that reported cyber attacks targeting Ethiopian government institutions jumped from 13,000 instances to 71,000 instances in a single year—nearly a sevenfold increase. National sovereignty: He emphasized that cyber threats directly compromise national security, making it vital for public servants to protect the sensitive government data in their hands. Call to Action & Moving Forward Daily awareness: Cybersecurity cannot be addressed only once a year during a thematic month; it must be practiced daily. Launch of the Cyber Club: BiT and INSA have officially established a joint Cyber Club to foster continuous institutional awareness. A universal responsibility: Cybersecurity is not exclusively for computer scientists or IT professionals. It applies to anyone—in university or not—who interacts with digital tools. Congratulations to winners: He concluded by congratulating the students who won awards in the event's challenges, urging them to act as ambassadors by expanding cybersecurity awareness to their friends, families, and wider social circles. Information and Strategic Communication Office Facebook፡-- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://www.bdu.edu.et/bit Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly/

Bahir Dar University, in collaboration with the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), has officially launched the 7th National Cyber Security Month under the timely theme: "An Active Citizen for a Secure Country.". [October 22, 2026 / Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] ================================ The launch event brought together university leadership, INSA delegates, academic professionals, and a large gathering of software engineering and computer science students to address the rapidly growing cyber threats facing Ethiopia as it pushes toward a digital economy. A Call for National Responsibility In his opening address, Dr. Amare Kassaw, Deputy Scientific Director of the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BIT), highlighted the deep-rooted partnership between the university and INSA. He noted that Bahir Dar University was a pioneer in introducing the country’s first Cyber Security degree program six years ago. Dr. Amare Kassaw emphasized that while Ethiopia’s Digital 2030 strategy expands infrastructure and economic opportunities, it brings severe systemic risks if left unprotected. "We are just one click away from a cyberattack," Dr. Kassaw warned, stressing that safeguarding national data is no longer just the job of a single institution, but a shared citizen responsibility. Representing INSA, Mr,Tewodros Hailu, Head of the Communications Center, delivered a jarring statistical overview of the cyber threat landscape in Ethiopia. According to INSA's data tracker, the country has witnessed an exponential surge in malicious cyber activity over the last decade: 2010: Only 576 cyberattack attempts were recorded nationwide. 2016: Attempts climbed to 8,854—a massive 15-fold increase. 2017: The number jumped to 13,494. 2018: A staggering 71,400 cyberattack attempts were registered, marking a 123-fold increase since 2010. Mr,Tewodros Hailu explained that these attacks primarily manifest as phishing scams, password thefts, ransomware, website defacement, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. He called for proactive measures, stating, "Firefighting after an attack occurs is not enough. We must build institutional readiness, regularly audit our systems, and raise public awareness to stop threats before they strike.". The month-long campaign will focus on four weekly pillars: Child Online Safety & Digital Ethiopia 2030, Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security, Community-Focused Awareness, and Institutional Readiness & Digital Sovereignty. Empowering the Next Generation: A Prodigy's Journey The event also featured inspiring testimonies from young ethical hackers who graduated from INSA’s competitive Cyber Talent Program. Among them was Mikias Tadesse, now an INSA technical specialist and founder of the startup Rai Intelligence. Mikias Tadesse shared his journey of getting his first personal computer at age seven, transitioning from an avid gamer into a self-taught programmer, and eventually overcoming systemic delays to join INSA's elite talent pool. "I used to think programming was just dragging and dropping objects," Mikias Tadesse told the inspired audience. "But curiosity led me to learn Java and look deeper into systemic vulnerabilities. True cybersecurity isn't about malicious 'black hat' hacking—it's about becoming a 'white hat' defender who identifies system gaps to protect our national security.". The launch concluded with a call to action for all tech students to actively join university cyber clubs, refine their skills ethically, and serve as the frontline defenders of Ethiopia's emerging digital realm. Dr. Mitiku Damtie, Scientific Director of the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT), delivered a closing speech highlighting the critical cybersecurity partnership between BiT and the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), noting a sevenfold spike in reported cyber attacks on government institutions from 13,000 to 71,000 within a single year. Acknowledgments Gratitude to INSA: He thanked INSA for selecting BiT as a key partner to host the National Cyber Security Month.

The presentations were followed by an interactive and constructive staff discussion, during which participants raised critical concerns, shared reflections, and proposed recommendations and practical strategies. Particular emphasis was given to strengthening institutional readiness, actively engaging in policy and structural reforms, enhancing revenue generation through research, consultancy, laboratory services, industry partnerships, and professional training, and ensuring that academic quality and institutional competitiveness remain central to the transformation. In the closing session, BiT's Scientific Director and management team responded to the concerns and questions raised by participants, provided reflections on the proposed recommendations, and encouraged all academic and administrative staff to take an active role in the transition process. The workshop reinforced a shared understanding that institutional autonomy is not merely an administrative reform, but a transformative opportunity to strengthen academic excellence, research and innovation, financial sustainability, institutional accountability, and socioeconomic impact. BiT remains committed to advancing a participatory, strategically guided, and institutionally responsive transition toward university autonomy. #Bahir Dar Institute Of Technology #BahirDarUniversity #UniversityAutonomy #Institutional Transformation #Higher Education Reform #InstitutionalReadiness #AcademicExcellence #ResearchAndInnovation #FinancialSustainability #UniversityGovernance #StaffEngagement #Ethiopia Information and Strategic Communication Office Facebook፡-- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://www.bdu.edu.et/bit Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly/

Bahir Dar Institute of Technology Holds Consultative Workshop on Institutional Autonomy Readiness [October 21, 2026 / Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] ============================================== Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT), Bahir Dar University, organized a consultative workshop on Institutional Autonomy Readiness on October 22, 2026, bringing together academic leaders, faculty members, and administrative staff to discuss the opportunities, challenges, institutional preparedness, and strategic actions required for a successful transition to university autonomy. The workshop aimed to strengthen institutional awareness, promote shared understanding, identify potential challenges, and encourage active staff participation in shaping BiT's future under the evolving university autonomy framework. Dr. Amare Kassaw, Deputy Scientific Director of BiT, introduced the workshop's objectives and facilitated the discussions, emphasizing the importance of collective institutional readiness, proactive engagement, strategic planning, and shared responsibility throughout the autonomy transformation process. Dr. Mitiku Damtie, Scientific Director of BiT, delivered a comprehensive presentation entitled “University Autonomy: Principles, Opportunities, Challenges, and International Experiences.” He explained that university autonomy represents the freedom of universities to govern their academic, organizational, financial, and staffing affairs within the national legal framework, while maintaining transparency, accountability, quality assurance, and commitment to their public mission. Drawing on international experiences from Finland, Denmark, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, and Kenya, Dr. Mitiku highlighted different governance models, institutional restructuring approaches, staffing reforms, funding mechanisms, and the practical lessons emerging from autonomy transitions. He emphasized that successful autonomy requires clear legal and regulatory frameworks, competent and accountable leadership, effective governance structures, strong institutional capacity, sustainable financing, and meaningful staff participation. His presentation further explored the transformative opportunities autonomy could create for BiT, including greater flexibility in academic program development, stronger research and innovation capacity, diversified revenue generation, improved talent management, expanded industry partnerships, and faster institutional decision-making. At the same time, he highlighted critical challenges related to institutional restructuring, staffing arrangements, financial sustainability, governance capacity, academic quality, and equitable access to education. Of particular importance, Dr. Mitiku emphasized that autonomy mean not independence from government oversight, but a shift toward greater institutional decision-making authority accompanied by stronger accountability for results. He encouraged BiT's academic leaders and staff to proactively assess institutional readiness, participate in developing policies and governance structures, strengthen revenue-generating initiatives, and embrace a phased, inclusive, and evidence-based transformation process. Prof. Solomon Workneh, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, shared practical lessons from the autonomy transition experience of the College of Engineering and Built Environment at Addis Ababa University. His presentation emphasized the importance of institutional restructuring, reviewing policies and regulatory frameworks, preserving BiT's distinctive institutional status, strengthening governance arrangements, and preparing for sustainable financial and administrative operations.

PhD Dissertation Public Defense Successfully Held at BiT–BDU [October 20, 2026 / Bahir Dar, ISC/BiT] ============================================== Mr. Molla Addisu Mossie, a doctoral candidate from the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT), Bahir Dar University, successfully defended his PhD dissertation in a public defense. The dissertation, titled “A Study on Voltage Stability Assessment and Enhancement Schemes for Power Distribution Networks,” focuses on developing critical assessment methods and enhancement schemes to improve the reliability, stability, and performance of electrical power distribution networks. Academic Leadership & Supervision The research was conducted under a collaborative supervisory team of prominent Ethiopian academics: Main Supervisor: Dr. Tefera Terefe Yetayew (Associate Professor), Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU) Co-Supervisors: Dr. Girmaw Teshager Bitew (Assistant Professor), Bahir Dar University Dr. Mezigebu Getinet Yenealem (Associate Professor), Bahir Dar University Dr. Teketay Mulu Beza (Assistant Professor), Bahir Dar University Rigorous Scholarly Defense During the session, examiners and members of the academic community engaged the candidate with rigorous questions regarding the study's research methodology, theoretical foundations, and core findings. Mr. Molla addressed the feedback with clear, well-structured, and scientifically grounded explanations, demonstrating an exceptional mastery of his research area. The Bahir Dar Institute of Technology extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Molla Addisu Mossie and his entire supervisory team on achieving this significant academic milestone, which contributes vital solutions to modern power distribution challenges. Information and Strategic Communication Office Facebook፡-- https://www.facebook.com/bitpoly Telegram፡- https://t.me/bitpoly Website፡- https://www.bdu.edu.et/bit Twitter: - https://twitter.com/BiT_BDU LinkedIn: - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitpoly/

Dear BiT–BDU Community and Esteemed Scholars, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology proudly celebrates our four outstanding scientists recognized in the 2026 Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists Ranking​, a testament to our growing research excellence and commitment to global impact. Special congratulations to Dr. Tadele Assefa Aragaw, ranked No. 1 among Ethiopian scientists in the 2026 single-year ranking and among the country’s top five for career-long scientific impact. This achievement brings immense pride to our Institute and inspires our entire academic community. We recognize that many of our researchers are making significant contributions, and these three outstanding scholars are shining examples of the excellence and global impact that our research community can achieve. This is not the limit of our success, but a foundation for even greater achievements to come. As an Institute, we are proud of all three scientists and deeply appreciate the mentors, colleagues, collaborators, and support te

​Dear BiT–BDU Community and Esteemed Scholars, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology proudly celebrates our four outstanding scientists recognized in the 2026 Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists Ranking​, a testament to our growing research excellence and commitment to global impact. Special congratulations to Dr. Tadele Assefa Aragaw, ranked No. 1 among Ethiopian scientists in the 2026 single-year ranking and among the country’s top five for career-long scientific impact. This achievement brings immense pride to our Institute and inspires our entire academic community. We recognize that many of our researchers are making significant contributions, and these three outstanding scholars are shining examples of the excellence and global impact that our research community can achieve. This is not the limit of our success, but a foundation for even greater achievements to come. As an Institute, we are proud of all three scientists and deeply appreciate the mentors, colleagues, collaborators, and support te