Programme description

Title: University Capacity Building Programme (UCBP)
Commissioned by: Ministry of Education, Ethiopia
Financier: Ministry of Education, Ethiopia
Country: Ethiopia
Overall term: 2008 to 2011

Context

The University Capacity Building Programme (UCBP) is a large-scale capacity development and construction project conceived, steered and funded by the Ethiopian Government. GTZ International Services is the project management and implementation agency, with the primary task of capacity development.

Objective

Thirteen universities have been built, with a total capacity for more than 120,000 students. The Ethiopian construction sector has been modernised, and its competitiveness in the national and international markets improved.

Approach

Over a period of just four years, the UCBP is constructing 13 universities with new buildings at 15 different sites throughout Ethiopia, mostly in rural locations. The design and construction of the buildings is being undertaken by Ethiopian companies. Their participation in the programme helps them to develop their own construction and management capacities, thus making them more competitive in the international construction market.

The capacity development measures provided through the UCBP strengthen the technical and management skills of the Ethiopian construction sector. As such, the programme is enhancing the work of over 90 construction companies and 20 construction management consultancies, and more than 60 individual architects and engineers. It is also enhancing the work of hundreds of local and regional enterprises. At all stages of the value chain, these practitioners are modernising and learning to operate competitively against international benchmarks.

The capacity development measures are provided for the full duration of the programme. They are specifically tailored to each group:

• Construction management consultants are trained in the modern techniques of construction management systems. In Ethiopia, the job profile of CMC’s is not well known. UCBP is a very strong supporter of this field.
• Architects and engineering firms receive training in contract and project management systems, as well as the latest design software and cost efficient design (CED) methods. They can easily apply these new methods to further design proposals for other clients.
• Construction companies receive training on contract and project management systems, as well as financial and construction equipment management. The liaison with international companies through UCBP supports their competitiveness on the international market.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from a special capacity development module and are trained to become financially sustainable and promote local economic development.

UCBP runs workshops in management and entrepreneurship, with titles such as 'change management', 'leadership' or 'financial management', and it also conducts practical on-the-job training. German and Ethiopian master craftsmen enhance the skills of workers in the major construction trades, such as masons, carpenters, metal- and woodworkers, plumbers and electricians. Together, they identify new methods and adapt technologies to the Ethiopian context in order to improve quality and efficiency. This hands-on training is reinforced by technical classroom training.

Cost-efficient design (CED) enables rapid construction without compromising on quality. This is a methodology developed as part of the Ethiopian-German bilateral cooperation. It streamlines established principles of construction efficiency and saves money by reducing both construction time and material wastage. CED has been established as a standard for all the building work.

Results achieved so far

The phased approach allows an intake of students to each university while construction continues. The campuses begin functioning while construction continues on additional buildings. At the end of 2009, more than 77,500 students were living and studying on UCBP campuses.

All companies can qualify for ISO 9001: 2000 certification. In February 2008, 14 UCBP companies had achieved certification, becoming pioneers in the Ethiopian construction sector.

Further information

• Local UCBP website
  http://www.ucbp-ethiopia.com/