Department of Chemical Engineering

INTRODUCTION

Background of the program

Chemical Engineering is a profession that principally deals with the conversion of raw materials into variety of products. It is also concerned with conceiving an idea, designing, operating, controlling, optimizing, and improving (modifying and modernizing) process industries to produce useful products and energy sources. Moreover, Chemical Engineering professionals engage in investigation of valuable materials and techniques, which contribute to the dynamic research & development world.

Chemical Engineering, therefore, focuses on various processes that cause chemical, physical, biological, energy content changes in addition to designing and inventing the way to do so. Examples of products that are the results of the works of chemical engineers include various chemicals, petrochemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, processed foods, energy (fuels, nuclear energy, others), pulp and paper, beverages, cement, ceramics, polymers, dyes and many others.

Chemical Engineering can also realize sustainable development by maintaining profitable, efficient and environmentally friendly industries. In relation to this, Chemical Engineering has great contribution in the assessment and remedy implementation of safety and environmental issues including the growing field of recycling, cleaner production, and managing projects for the treatment of wastewater. In this context, Chemical Engineers use the principle of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, economics and engineering arts to efficiently use, produce, design, and convert energy sources, materials and process plants.

Specifically, the followings are key occupational tasks and responsibilities given to Chemical Engineers:

• Taking leading role in the plant layout, design, and operation of industrial plants;
• Conducting economic and technical feasibility studies in chemical and other process industries;
• Modeling for process selection, design & evaluation;  
• Testing and commissioning of (chemical) process and associated equipment and plants;
• Managing and optimizing of production processes and processing equipment;
• Overseeing the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units or processing plants;
• Acting as a liaison between plant engineering personnel and equipment suppliers;
• Preparation of tender document, and bid evaluation, for equipment and raw material procurement;  
• Ensuring efficient, optimum, safe and environmentally responsible plant operation; establishing and conducting quality control programs;
• Developing operating and assessment procedures and control strategies to ensure consistency and adherence to standards;  
• Participating and advising industry and governmental bodies regarding environmental policies and standards;
• Teaching Chemical Engineering Courses;
• Working in sustainable energy technologies and   energy optimization systems;

Basic skills expected from Chemical Engineering program graduates of Adama Science and Technology University include:

a. Scientific Skills:

• Problem solving skills using mathematics and natural sciences (physics, chemistry and biology)
• Good application of statistics & statistical analysis
• Computer science and programming skill

b. Communication and leadership skill:

• Good communication skills
• Working in team
• Reasoning skill
• Work planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling
• Setting priorities and assigning of work to other professionals
• Maintain records and performance reports
• Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions

c. Ethical Skills:

• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• Interest in regular self-assessment and lifelong learning
• Practicing social and environmental laws/regulations
• Developing transparency, accountability and responsiveness

 d. Technical Skills on:

• Processes & apparatus design and products development
• Designing and conducting experiments, as well as analysing and interpreting data.
• Visualizing, sketching and process flow diagram development
• Solving and identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Critical thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Systems analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment affect outcomes
• Good judgment and decision making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system
• Continual learning capacity to be able and adapt with new knowledge and technologies

Moreover, to play pivotal role in Ethiopia’s aspiration to become an industrialized, the previous chemical engineering undergraduate curriculum is revised to meet the requirements of accreditation, which relies on principles of outcome-based education (OBE) and that emphasizes on continuous quality improvements (CQI). This curriculum revision, as an effect, will allow international acceptance of the program and the graduates.

Short history of the Program

Chemical engineering was first established as a profession in the United Kingdom after the first chemical engineering course was given at the University of Manchester in 1887. Initially, chemical engineering was launched as a profession to help industries to produce chemicals in large quantities during industrial revolution period through designing and operating large plants for continuous production. In Ethiopia, Chemical Engineering was started as a minor program under Mechanical Engineering department from 1981-1986 at the technology faculty of Addis Ababa University. After five years, a full-fledged Chemical Engineering department was established at the aforementioned university. For about 20 years, Chemical Engineering program was offered only in Addis Ababa and Bahir-Dar Universities. Currently, more than 18 government universities launched Chemical Engineering program.

In Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU), Chemical Engineering program was launched in 2009 under the School of Engineering and Information Technology. Currently Chemical Engineering program is encompassed under the School of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering.

Rationale of the Program

Currently in Ethiopia the practice of chemical engineering is at a very rudimentary stage, although Chemical engineers can play significant role in poverty reduction, industrialization, environmental protection and attaining food self-sufficiency, as well as prevention of environmental deterioration and promotion of sustainable development. In this context, chemical engineering as a profession can help Ethiopia on import substitution through developing and producing imported products, foreign currency earning through export of competitive products to the world market, job creation through entrepreneurship activities and industrialization.

Hence, in the process of materializing this ambition of industrial development, chemical engineering and chemical engineers can contribute significantly. To realize this, the curriculum is revised in line with well-recognized international standards.

Vision   

Chemical Engineering department of ASTU aspires to be the first choice in Ethiopia and the premier center of excellence in Chemical Engineering in Africa by 2030.

Mission 

The Missions of chemical Engineering Department are to:

• M1: Produce ethical and internationally competent Chemical Engineering graduates through quality education.
• M2: Conduct problem-solving research.
• M3:  Provide demand driven community service.
• M4: Serve as center for innovative knowledge and technology transfer for various chemical and process industries.