Textile Engineering Program Profile

●  History of the department 

The history of the Textile Engineering program at Bahir Dar University (BDU) traces a significant development trajectory, reflecting the growth of Ethiopia's textile industry and its educational needs. Here's an outline of the program's key historical milestones: 

● 1963 – Establishment of the Textile Technology Department:

The roots of textile education at Bahir Dar trace back to 1963, when the Textile Technology Department was established under the Bahir Dar Polytechnic. This department aimed to train professionals in the textile sector, providing foundational education and skills essential for Ethiopia's growing textile industry. The focus at this time was on producing technicians capable of supporting the expanding textile and garment sectors in the country. 

● 1998 – Upgrade to Textile Engineering Department: 

In 1998, the Textile Technology Department underwent a significant transformation, upgrading to a Textile Engineering Department. This change occurred when Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute transitioned into Bahir Dar University. The upgrade was in line with the university's broader goal of offering more advanced and specialized academic programs. Under the Faculty of Engineering, the Textile Engineering Department began offering more comprehensive academic degrees in textile engineering, focusing on both the technical and theoretical aspects of the field. The program was expanded to provide students with the skills needed for roles in the design, production, and management aspects of the textile industry. 

● 2000s – Upgrading to Institute Level: 

Recognizing the critical role of the Textile, Garment, Leather, Merchandising, and Fashion 

Design sectors in Ethiopia's economic development and industrialization, the Government of Ethiopia, through Bahir Dar University, upgraded the Department of Textile Engineering to the level of an Institute in July 2009. The newly established institute was named the Institute of Textile and Clothing Technology. 

A year later, in June 2010, with support from the Engineering Capacity Building Program 

(ECBP), the institute was renamed the Institute of Technology for Textile, Garment, and Fashion Design (iOTEX). This change marked a significant step in the growth and specialization of the institute, aligning with the country's vision for industrial advancement and the development of skilled professionals in the textile and fashion sectors. 

With the Ethiopian government's Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), which emphasized industrial development and human capital enhancement, Bahir Dar University upgraded the Textile Engineering Department into an Institute-level with other related programs program. This change was aimed at enhancing the quality of education and increasing the program's contribution to Ethiopia's industrialization. As part of this process, the focus was placed on not only training skilled engineers but also fostering research and innovation in textile technologies, which aligned with the country’s development goals. 

● 2014 – Rebranding as EiTEX: 

In 2014, the Textile Engineering Department was officially renamed EiTEX (Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology). This transformation reflected the growing importance of the textile industry in Ethiopia’s economic strategy and global trade ambitions. EiTEX became the dedicated institute for textile education and research under Bahir Dar University, with a renewed focus on the modern demands of the textile industry, including sustainable practices, advanced textile technologies, and international collaboration. EiTEX now stands as the foundation for the current textile engineering program, serving as a center for excellence in textile education, research, and innovation in Ethiopia. 

In conclusion, the Textile Engineering program at Bahir Dar University has evolved significantly since its inception in 1963. From its humble beginnings as the Textile Technology Department under the Bahir Dar Polytechnic to its establishment as EiTEX in 2014, the program has played a key role in shaping the future of Ethiopia’s textile industry. Through various upgrades and expansions, it has contributed to both the education of skilled professionals and the advancement of textile technologies. Today, EiTEX remains at the heart of Ethiopia’s textile engineering education, fostering innovation, sustainability, and industrial growth. 

● Accreditations 

The Textile Engineering program Laboratory is accredited by ISO 17025/2017 and provides a range of testing services in line with international standards, ensuring the quality, performance, and safety of textile materials. The accredited laboratories are categorized as Textile Production Physical Laboratory and Textile Chemistry Laboratory 

●  Textile Production Physical Laboratory

The ISO 17025/2017 accredited Textile Production Physical Lab at EiTEX is equipped with state-of-the-art testing equipment designed to evaluate the key physical characteristics of textile materials. These tests are essential for ensuring that textiles meet the required performance standards in durability, comfort, and functionality. 

These are the key accredited parameters under the textile production physical laboratory: 

♦ Abrasion Resistance (ES ISO: 12947-2): Measures the wear and tear resistance of textile materials under friction. 

♦ Pilling Resistance (ES ISO: 12945-2): Assesses the fabric’s resistance to pilling, ensuring long-lasting surface integrity. 

♦ Air Permeability (ES ISO: 3792): Determines the ability of fabrics to allow airflow, enhancing breathability and comfort. 

♦ Weight of Fabric (ES ISO: 3801): Measures fabric weight, a key factor in assessing thickness, durability, and suitability for specific applications. 

♦ Microniar (ASTM D5867): Analyzes cotton fiber fineness, which influences fabric quality and texture. 

♦ Strength (g/tex) (ASTM D5867): Assesses fiber strength, determining the material’s resistance to stress and deformation. 

♦ UHML (mm) (ASTM D5867): Measures the uniformity of cotton fibers, which affects the final yarn quality. 

♦ Uniformity Index (%) (ASTM D5867): Analyzes the consistency of fiber length, influencing yarn spinning and fabric quality. 

♦ Color Rd (ASTM D5867) and Color +b (ASTM D5867): Evaluates the color properties of cotton fibers, ensuring adherence to color specifications. 

♦ Trash Area (%) (ASTM D5867): Quantifies the non-fibrous material content in cotton, impacting the quality of yarn and fabric. 

Textile Chemistry Laboratory 

Furthermore, the ISO 17025/2017 accredited Textile Chemistry Lab which can assess the chemical properties of textile materials, ensuring they meet industry standards for safety, durability, and performance. This lab plays a vital role in testing color fastness, fabric chemical stability, and fiber identification, which are essential for ensuring the longevity and safety of textile products. 

These are the key accredited parameters under Textile Chemistry Laboratory: 

♦ Fastness to Hot Press (ES ISO: 105-X11): Tests the fabric's ability to retain its color and structural integrity under high-pressure conditions. 

♦ Fastness to Washing (ES ISO: 105-C10): Evaluates how well fabrics maintain color and overall quality after repeated washing cycles. 

♦ Fiber Identification (IS: 667): Identifies the composition of fibers in fabrics, ensuring accurate classification and understanding of material behavior during use and care. 

Accordingly, the EiTEX's Textile Engineering Laboratory adheres to rigorous international testing standards (ISO17027/2017), ensuring that all products meet both local and global market requirements. The laboratory provides critical testing services for manufacturers, designers, and researchers in the textile and fashion industry, supporting the development of high-quality, durable, and sustainable products. These services play a significant role in the growth of Ethiopia’s textile sector and its integration into the global marketplace. 

By offering such comprehensive testing capabilities, the textile engineering program helps industry stakeholders to produce textiles that not only meet aesthetic and functional demands but also comply with the highest industry standards for safety and environmental sustainability. 

Textile engineering accredited lab 

Table 1: accredited laboratories in textile engineering 

Staff biography 

The Textile Engineering Department at the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX) comprises a highly qualified and diverse team of faculty and technical staff. The department includes PhD holders, many of whom are Assistant Professors and Associate Professors, with some pursuing postdoctoral research. There are also numerous MSc holders serving as Assistant Professors and Lecturers, many of whom are pursuing PhDs to enhance their expertise. Additionally, Chief Technical Assistantswith BSc qualifications provide essential support in laboratory and technical tasks. This committed team is actively engaged in both teaching and research, ensuring that the department remains at the forefront of textile engineering education and innovation, while fostering continuous academic and professional growth. 

Table 2: Summary of Academic Staff Profile in Textile Engineering 

Programs Offered: 

Undergraduate Programs: 

The Textile Engineering program at EiTEX is a Bachelor of Science degree designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of textile science and engineering. The curriculum includes core courses in textile fibers, yarn processing, weaving and knitting technologies, fabric structure and design, technical textiles, non-wovens, textile testing, and chemical processing. In addition to these specialized textile courses, the program integrates core engineering subjects to equip students with essential knowledge and skills in electrical and mechanical concepts, programming, design techniques, and management practices. The program also covers garment engineering courses, offering students a solid foundation in apparel manufacturing processes and the fundamentals of fashion design. This well-rounded curriculum prepares students for a broad range of careers in the textile and fashion industries. 

Postgraduate programs in Textile Engineering: 

The post-graduate programs in Textile Engineering  

♦ Textile manufacturing (MSc.) 

♦ Textile technology (MSc.) 

♦ Smart and functional textile (PhD) 

♦ Textile design and manufacturing (PhD) 

♦ Textile material science and engineering (PhD) 

♦ Textile Technology (PhD) 

Certifications/Minor Programs: the following short-term training is offered under the textile engineering program 

I. Spinning operator short-term training for 

            ●  Ring spinning 

            ● Open-end spinning 

            ●  Quality control on the spinning process 

            ●  Traditional charkha spinning machine 

            ●  New model charkha spinning machine 

            ●  Solar model charkha spinning machine 

II. Knitting operator short-term training for: 

            ●  Automatic knitting machine 

            ●  Hand knitting machine 

III. Weaving operator short-term training for: 

            ●  Automatic weaving machine 

            ●  Hand weaving machine 

            ●  Quality control in the weaving process 

Research thematic Areas and Laboratories: 

To carry out outstanding research under the Textile engineering program there are three research centers: 

Indigenous Textile Research Center 

The Indigenous Textile Research Centre (ITRC) in EiTEX under the Textile Engineering program focuses on the study and advancement of indigenous textile arts, encompassing decorative, ceremonial, and practical creations made from plant, animal, or synthetic fibers. Highlighting the unique use of color, patterns, and techniques by indigenous artists, the ITRC aims to preserve and promote cultural stories while advancing research in textile fibers, yarns, fabrics, and wet processing. The center supports the textile and apparel sectors, hand-based industries, agriculture, and education through advanced research, problem-solving, and training. It also emphasizes scientific dissemination through publications, seminars, and workshops, inspiring innovations and modifications for local communities to explore artistic and practical applications of textiles. 

Medical Textile Research Center 

The Medical Textile Research Center (MTRC) is dedicated to advancing the development and application of innovative textiles for medical and healthcare purposes. With a focus on functional materials that enhance patient care, hygiene, and safety, the center explores a wide range of medical textile applications, including wound dressings, surgical gowns, antimicrobial fabrics, drug delivery systems, and implantable devices. The Medical Textile Research Center integrates cutting-edge research in textile science, biomaterials, and nanotechnology to address healthcare challenges, ensuring the production of high-quality, sustainable, and functional materials. The center supports the medical and healthcare industries through problem-solving research, advanced education, and skill development while disseminating outcomes through scientific publications, conferences, and workshops. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, The Medical Textile Research Center fosters innovation to improve health outcomes and quality of life. 

Technical Textile Research Center 

The Technical Textile Research Center focuses on advancing innovative solutions across various specialized fields of technical textiles to meet diverse industry needs. The center conducts research and development in Agrotech (agricultural textiles), Buildtech (construction textiles), and Clothtech (clothing textiles) to improve functionality and sustainability. Additionally, it explores applications in Geotech (geotextiles for soil stabilization), Hometech (domestic textiles), and Indutech (industrial textiles) to enhance performance in respective sectors. Cutting-edge advancements in Electronic Textiles and Mobiltech (transport textiles for automotive and aerospace) are also key areas of focus. Further, the center emphasizes Ecotech (environmental protection textiles), Packtech (packaging textiles), Protech (protective textiles), and Sportech (sports textiles) to address challenges in ecological protection, safety, and performance. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, the center drives innovation in technical textiles, ensuring sustainable and high-value applications. 

In general, these research centers and teaching and learning processes have complete facilities as shown the some of the well-organized facilities in the table 

Table 3:some Some of the facilities owned by the textile engineering 

Courses and Curriculum: 

The curriculum encompasses several key features designed to provide a comprehensive and industry-relevant education. Textile Engineering is a five-year engineering program designed to provide students with a robust and specialized education. The program is offered in three formats: regular, extension, and summer programs, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for diverse student needs. 

The core curriculum focuses on foundational textile science, offering insights into textile fibers, yarn processing, weaving technology, knitting technology, fabric structure and design, technical textiles, non-woven, textile testing, and chemical processing. In addition, core engineering courses equip students with essential knowledge and skills in areas such as electrical and mechanical systems, programming, design techniques, management, leadership, planning, and control. Similarly, the core garment engineering courses ensure a solid understanding of the apparel manufacturing process and the fundamentals of fashion design. 

The program emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory and workshop exercises, project work, and industrial internships. Students initiate their project work during the first semester of their final year with a project proposal. This is followed by an intensive four-month research phase during the second semester. Students have the flexibility to choose project topics that align with their career aspirations, interests, and the demands of the industry. Courses are arranged in modules, enabling structured organization of resources and staff development. This modular approach ensures that practical education, including laboratory exercises and project work, is given substantial attention. 

To enhance practical skills, students actively engage with the textile industry as part of the program. This is underscored by the full-semester industrial internship, which carries a substantial ECTS credit value of 28. The curriculum aligns with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to facilitate accreditation by the European Accreditation Institution. ECTS credits represent the workload required to complete each course, encompassing lectures, practical sessions, seminars, self-study, and examinations. 

The curriculum is carefully designed to address the requirements of the industrial sector while contributing to the capacity building of higher education institutions. This structured and practical approach ensures students are well-prepared for both professional and academic advancements in the textile and garment industry. 

Furthermore, postgraduate programs are structured as follows: The Master of Science (M.Sc.) programs are completed over a duration of two years, while the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs require four years of study. 

Student Opportunities:

Students and graduates of Textile Engineering have the multi-disciplinary opportunity to specialize in and conduct research across a wide range of fields. These include: 

            ●  Textile Manufacturing 

            ●  Textile Design 

            ●  Textile Technology 

            ●  Textile Machinery Manufacturing 

            ●  Textile Chemical Processing 

            ●  Polymers and Fibers 

            ●  Mechanical Engineering 

            ●  Industrial Engineering 

            ●  Chemical Engineering 

            ●  Electrical and Electronic Engineering 

            ●  Materials Science and Engineering 

            ●  Medical Equipment and Devices 

            ●  Business Administration 

            ●  Economics

            ●  Nano-Science and Technology 

            ●  Additive Manufacturing and Technology 

            ●  Related Fields of Study 

These specializations allow students and graduates to engage in advanced research and contribute to innovations in their chosen areas, further enhancing their knowledge and career opportunities within and beyond the textile industry. 

Furthermore, 75% of the core courses in the program are practical-oriented, providing students with hands-on experience that equips them to meet the demands of manufacturing industries and fosters entrepreneurial skills. This practical focus ensures that graduates are well-prepared for real-world challenges. Additionally, the program includes a full semester dedicated to industrial training, allowing students to gain valuable experience in the textile industry, further enhancing their practical knowledge and career readiness. 

Contact person:

Mr. Tekalgn Mamay 

Textile Engineering Department Head

Ethiopian Institute of Textile & Fashion Technology, Bahir Dar University

Email: tekalgn2121@gmail.com

Phone: +251919022260 

P.O.Box: 1037