As part of short term training INDMET Institutional Network for Design and Manufacturing Education & Training) project office in collaboration with College of Engineering and Technology (CET) organized and successfully completed a practical-based lab training. It was conducted for five consecutive days from August 8, 2023 to August 12, 2023.

The training was held on Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling Machine and 3D Printing with a series of practical exercises aimed at promoting innovation and creativity skills of the staff.

The training program was opened by Endalkachew Mosisa (PhD), Dean of CET and INDMET project coordinator of Wallaga University. In his opening speech, he delivered a message to the trainees saying that the training was one of the efforts being made to transform the college from general/comprehensive to applied science mode of teaching and researching. He emphasized hands-on trainings, activities, and teachings have to be introduced and implemented in all departments of the college. All departments and instructors have to reconsider their ways of teaching, delivering community services, and conducting researches that fit to University of Applied Science, he underscored.

The trainers, namely Dr. Endalkachew Mosisa (Wallaga University), Dr. Moera Gutu from Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU), and Mr. Misganu Mekuria from Ethio-China Polytechnic University have successfully delivered the training which mainly focused on CNC Programming, Machine Setup and Practical Exercise, CNC Part Program Loading and Simulation, Machine Operation and Practical Exercise and Concept of Additive Manufacturing, Malfunction and Maintenance.

The trainees were made to be familiar with the fundamental concept of CNC programming with exercise on facing, pocket tapping and drilling; CNC Machine setup with practical exercises; CNC part program loading and simulation; CNC Machine Operation; and 3D printing setup (loading and unloading materials) and introduced Ultimaker Cura used with 3D printer. On the final day of the training, Endalkachew Mosisa (PhD) summarized the training comparing the the two popular and recent prototyping technologies namely subtractive rapid prototyping (SRP) and rapid prototyping (RP). Moreover, he mentioned the importance of such practical training in the transformation process to Applied Science University. All the sessions were accompanied by hands-on (practical) exercises.