DESIGNE OF A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE: A Vehicle for Industrial Development

Abstract

This paper deals with the design of a Technology
Centre to meet the needs of industries and enhance
the industrial development activities in Ethiopia.
The article addresses problems and constraints of
industries in developing countries with regards to
raw materials, skills, technology master plan,
R&D, maintenance and industrial management.
Furthermore the basic techniques and mechanisms
of technology transfer are presented. For the
Technology Centre under consideration the
appropriate technology is selected using the point
system method while the product families are
chosen using ranking method.
Based on the selected technology and the product
families, the Centre is designed so as to
accommodate facilities for manufacturing,
training, consultancy, maintenance and
distribution. The Technology Centre is intended to
serve the Eastern and S'outhern African countries.
The model used in the design of the Centre may be
modified and be implemented in another context.