Jimma University Material Science & Engineering Faculty

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECEg) is one of the largest schools in Jimma institute of technology (JIT)  inJimma University.  Based on the number of program, staff profile and student number, in 2013/14 Electrical & computer engineering department changes its name from department to School.  The school has been serving the country and also advanced the University’s reputation. It has trained a significant number of Electrical and Computer Engineers in the country who are playing key roles in the various sectors of development in the country.
The core Strategy of the school is to pursue its vision and mission to enhance its research, linkage with industry, academic and scholarly activities and become a center of excellence for its programs, thereby improving its eminence in national and international rankings.
In the modern-days, development of a country mainly depends on the development of the industries. The development of these sectors significantly depends on the standard of technical education nurtured by the universities and the technical institutes of the country. It is observed that most of the developed countries maintain a strong relationship between the universities and the industries. It is believed that the universities are the gateway of new technologies. Universities develop new technologies and by co-operating with industries they implement these technologies to raise the standard and effectiveness of the industry. Universities take the responsibilities to provide technical human resources for the industries of any country.The school has been serving the country and also advanced the University’s reputation. It has trained a significant number of Electrical and Computer Engineers who are playing key roles in the various sectors of development in the country. The core Strategy of the school is to pursue its vision and mission to enhance its research, linkage with industry, academic and scholarly activities and become a center of excellence for its programs, thereby improving its eminence in national and international rankings.
History of the school
The background information on the developments of the former Electrical Engineering (EE) and present Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) programs are as follows.
Earliest EE Programs – The Faculty of Technology
Jimma University, the Country’s first Innovative Community Based Education oriented institution of higher learning, was established in 1983 as Jimma Institute of Health Sciences. In 1999 it, embracing Jimma College of Agriculture, was upgraded to Jimma University by the Federal Democratic Republic Government of Ethiopia opening new fields of study, other than the health sciences streams, such as Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Business & Economics and further extended its number of faculties by launching Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Natural and Information Sciences and Faculty of Social and Humanities in the following years. The Faculty of Technology was opened in September 1997 under Jimma Institute of Health Sciences. It was comprised of three departments: Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. The establishment of the Faculty is generally aimed at acquiring skilled man power in each category.
The First EE Program
The first curriculum of the department which was developed in 1997 was adapted mainly from the Technology Faculty of Addis Ababa University. This curriculum used to take five years of study.
The Revised EE Program
This first curriculum was revised in 2003 due to the nationwide implementation of a new education policy which reduced the duration of the program to 4 years. This revised curriculum was developed to address the change in education policy and the need of the market by incorporating new courses which were not present in the first curriculum.
Start and Early Needs for New Directions in Engineering Education
Starting from the earliest historical backgrounds, the Electrical & computer Engineering (ECE) programs of study of Jimma institute of Technology , JU has grown and expanded from basic power and electronics engineering into Four  streamsunder the duration of 5years program:
Electronic Communication Engineering,
Power system engineering,
Control and Instrumentation Engineering and
Computer Engineering
General Objectives

• To train high level technical manpower which can participate in the national development activities;
• To carry out research in the areas of electrical and computer engineering and relevant to the needs of the Country;
• To render consultancy services to the community.

Specific Objectives

•   To train electrical and computer engineers.
•   To prepare graduates with the capability of following the current and future developments in the field and related applications.
•   To enable graduates work as a team in addressing technical problems
•   To provide opportunity for workers in the field of electrical technology to upgrade their knowledge through a continuing education evening program.
•   To provide graduates with sufficient background to undertake postgraduate training in any one of the various focus areas of Electrical Engineering discipline.
•   To engage students in research that offers optimal solutions to technical problems in the industry, energy sector, telecommunications, computer applications and other industrial sectors.
•   To offer consultancy service to government, industry and society.

Professional Profile
Electrical and Computer Engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the technology of electricity and electronics, especially the design and application of electronic circuit, equipment for power generation and distribution, machine control, communications and computer hardware and software.
Research and Development
Developing of new products on existing or new technologies. Applied research on new technologies and improving the existing technology.
Design
Designing of required system and /or devices for indigenization (modifying) Designing of interface unit to adapt existing devices with new system. Modifying existing system to enhance its utilization.
Production/Manufacturing
Supervising, modifying and optimizing manufacturing process to improve cost effective yields with quality.
Installation, Operation and Maintenance
After understanding the procedures as given in manual of manufacturer is able to install, operate and maintain the systems.
Analysis and Testing
Analyzing and developing test set-ups for testing system/devices to assess the quality, safety and reliability of performance of the system. Trouble shooting and repairing the system.
Sales, Consultation and Purchase
Sales person for National/ International Companies. Consulting Companies to optimize the price-performance of systems. Defining and justifying the requirements for sales and purchase.
Basic Abilities, Skills
Able to understand the state of art techniques, devices, software, protocols. Proceeding in methodical approach to solve problems. Being a team member communicative, cooperative and transparent. Working independently, assuming responsibility. Leading, motivating and caring professionals. Managing the project, productions, manpower and resources cost effectively. Learning life-long, improving the skills and exploring new areas. Observing national and international standards and regulation.
Engineering Knowledge
Fundamental knowledge in engineering mathematics. Fundamental knowledge in physics, EM fields, semiconductors, electrical materials, thermodynamics, static and dynamics. Knowledge in electrical machines, electronic analogue and digital circuits, signal & system, measurements, control, microprocessor and communication. Knowledge in computer hardware and software.
Profiles for Streams (Focus Areas)
The following streams (focus areas) of ECE are identified as very important for the development of the country.
Electrical Engineer with Electronic Communication Engineering Focus
Design and test electronic circuits. Design and maximize the utilization of communication network efficiently and with the least possible delay and adequate quality.  Able to carry out research in the area of system design/networking and bring solution in operational settings.Able to solve problems in intensive signal processing and routing of information packets.
Electrical Engineer with Electrical Power Engineering Focus
Plan, design, analyze, develop, operate, control and maintain of electrical power plants (thermal, hydro, renewable), power apparatus and protection system. Plan, design, analyze and develop power transmission and distribution system.  Design, analysis, construction, installation, control, operation and maintenance of electrical machines, power electronic devices and drives.
Jimma University Material Science Electrical Engineer with Computer Engineering Focus
Design, develop, analyze and test the hardware and software for systems applicable to any industries, business, hospitals, institutions and offices. Install, operate and maintain computer systems. Work as a computer hardware engineer, software engineer, system analyst, data communication analyst, computer network engineer, database analyst, data administrator, network administrator, information systems quality assurance analyst, information system consultant, system tester, system security analyst, customer support analyst, system auditor, computer service engineer, web designer, webmaster, interactive media developer.
Jimma University Material Science Electrical Engineer with Industrial Control Engineering Focus
Design, develop and analyze of control and instrumentation system applied for monitoring, data acquisition and data analysis of electrical and non-electrical systems including digital, analogue, robust and higher order controllers. Plan, produce, install, implement, operate and maintain the control and instrumentation systems.
Jimma University Material Science Management structure:
For the School there shall be an established School Academic Commission (SAC) which is answerable, through the School Dean, to JiT Academic Council and the Scientific Director.
The SAC shall consist of:
a. The School Dean, as a chairperson;
b. All Chair- holders in school
c. Undergraduate Program leader/Coordinator;
d. Postgraduate Programs and Research leader/Coordinator
e. Continuing and Distance Education program coordinator;
f. Two academic staff elected by the general assembly of school.
g. One representative of undergraduate students, elected by students’ council;
h. One representative of postgraduate students;
i. School administrator who will serve as a secretary of the School Academic
Admission criteria of students
Admission or Legibility Criteria to the undergraduate Program
Admissions to all regular undergraduate programs are processed through the Ministry of Education (MoE) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. This is currently true for all public Higher Education Institutes across the whole nation. Admissions to the continuing education program (CEP) are processed through the institute registrar office based on the criteria set by the University.