Personal and Educational Profile

Biography

Dr. Kassu Jilcha is an Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering, and he is currently working in the School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in July 2017 and his Master of Science (MSc) degree in January 2010 from Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, in the School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Additionally, he obtained his Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in July 2006 from Bahirdar University, Faculty of Engineering, specializing in Industrial Engineering.

He has research interests in various areas, including AI-Based Knowledge Management, Green Supply Chain Management, Industrial Workplace Safety and Health, Quality Engineering, Technology Management, Innovation, Sustainable Development, Ergonomics, and Optimization. His doctoral dissertation focused on "An Integrated Approach of Occupational Safety and Health Practice for Ethiopian Manufacturing Industries." His master's degree thesis explored "Road Accidents and Road Safety from Addis Ababa to Hawassa," and his bachelor's degree research assessed the "Ethiopian Tourism Industry in Amhara National Regional State."

Dr. Kassu Jilcha has a diverse work experience and employment history. He has been serving as an Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at Addis Ababa University since December 14, 2021, to the present. Prior to that, he held the position of Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering at Addis Ababa University from February 10, 2018, to December 13, 2020. Before joining Addis Ababa University, he worked as an Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering at Adama Science and Technology University from October 03, 2017, to February 10, 2018. He also held the position of Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering from July 06, 2017, to October 02, 2017. In addition to his academic roles, he served as a Lecturer of Industrial Engineering at Wollo University from February 10, 2010, to July 06, 2017. Prior to that, he worked as the Head of Occupational and Environmental Safety Management at Addola Gold Mining Enterprise from December 20, 2009, to February 09, 2010.

In addition to his academic and industry roles, he has held various positions related to administration and student services. Since May 14, 2018, he has been serving as the Director for the Students Career Development Center at Addis Ababa University. Previously, he held the position of Head of Registrar at Addis Ababa University from May 08, 2010, to November 13, 2012. During his tenure, he also served as an Entrepreneurship Officer from November 14, 2011, to July 11, 2012. Additionally, he held the position of Academic Quality Assurance Head from July 12, 2011, to February 21, 2013, and Research and Community Service Officer alongside the Quality Assurance Head position from December 01, 2012, to February 21, 2013, at Wollo University.

His participation in consultancy firms and association membership includes being a founder and member of EMIRTA Research, Training, and Development Institute. He is also an associate member of the International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS). Additionally, he is a founder and member of the Ethiopian Industrial Engineers Association and holds membership in the Ethiopian Space Science Society.

Dr. Kassu Jilcha has actively participated in various activities and engagements within the Addis Ababa University (AAU) and the community. He served as a member of the Grade 12 National Examination Coordinator Taskforce Committee at AAU from July 23, 2023, to August 06, 2023, and from October 01 to October 21, 2022. Additionally, he engaged in community service by evaluating project papers for AAU in September 2023 and October 2022. Furthermore, he has been a member of the Ethiopian Quality Award (EQA) Technical Committee since 2019 to the present, contributing to the advancement of quality standards in Ethiopia.

Dr. Kassu Jilcha presented a paper at the 5th International Conference on the Advancement of Science and Technology at Bahirdar Institute of Technology in May 2017. He also presented a paper at the Ethiopian Standard Agency's first Annual National Quality and Standardizations Research event held in October 2018.

In 2019, he participated as a speaker and panelist in the High-Level Dialogue on "Building a Diversified Workforce for the Future" in Nairobi, Kenya. Moreover, he attended and participated in the First International Afro-European Conference for Industrial Advancement in Ethiopia in November 2014.

Dr. Kassu Jilcha provided training services on "Occupational Safety and Health for Selehulling PLC Employees" in September 2016. He also served as a member of the JASIRI Talent Investor 2021 to 2023 Selection Conference Pitch examining committee and evaluator of talent investors from Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

Additionally, he delivered training on "Entrepreneurship Practice for Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Wollo University Academic Staff" in 2011/2012. He collaborated as a judge and evaluator of entrepreneurs' ideas for their competitive entrepreneurial work presentation at Dessie W/ro Sihin Technical College in 2011/2012.He has provided training service for MSC students on Research Methodology in Dire Dewa University in 2021; Soft skill training in 2021, Employability skill training in 2022, Industrial safety in 2017, occupational Safety and Health for Selehulling PLC in 2016, and TOT training on Entrepreneurship Practice in 2011.

Scientific publications conducted by him include over 45 journal articles, 3 book chapters, and 2 abstracts. For more information about these publications, readers can refer to the provided links.

He has taught over 15 postgraduate (PG) courses, including reliability engineering, quality engineering, ergonomic and work study, system modeling and advanced simulation, production and operation management, human factor engineering, project management, organizational behavior and culture management, and industrial project management. Additionally, he has taught more than 14 undergraduate (UG) courses.

Since 2019, when COVID-19 emerged as an endemic disease, he has adapted his teaching methods to include online instruction. He has been using platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom for online classes and has continued to use a combination of face-to-face and online teaching practices. He has also incorporated online training, evaluation as an assessor, and online testing into his teaching practices.

He has been working as Co-investigator on a grant project titled "Thematic Research in Innovative Indigenous Knowledge for University-Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer Improvement" since June 2020, and the project is completed. He was a Principal Investigator for a completed project entitled "Assessment of the Linkage between AAU & Industries and the Ways Forward," which concluded in June 2022. He also completed a project entitled "Workplace Safety and Health and Its Impact on Productivity of Metal, Iron, and Steel Manufacturing Industries in Addis Ababa City" for the Addis Ababa City Administration Bureau of Labour and Social Affairs in 2016/2017.  He was an Ethiopian Academic and Science project data enumerator for the assessment of human demand and supply in 2016 and data enumeration for Ethiopian Development Research Institute in 2013. He also served as research data collector for Consolution PLc for the aluminum and wood feasibility study in 2015, and reviewed curriculum since in 2016-2019 and served as guest Professor at different Universities.

He has advised and examined PHD and MSC students. He has advised more than 40MSC students and Co-advised more than 10 MSC students. He is advising 6 PhD students on progress and one is already completed.  He also examined more than 35 MSC students.  

He possesses computer skills in various areas, including MATLAB Programming, Database Management Systems, MS Office Applications (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), MINITAB Software, ARENA Simulation Software, AutoCAD, MS Project Management, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Adobe Suite (Video and Photo Editing), Pneumatic Software, LOGO PLC Software, Hydraulic Software, ANYLOGIC System Dynamic Software, Scheduling LINKEN Software, VENSIM System Dynamic Simulation Software, SAS and R-Software, Decision-Making Software and Google Meet and Zoom for online meetings and manipulation.

His future aspiration is to attain the position of full professorship within the next two to three years. He is passionate about conducting research in his areas of interest and using it to tackle societal challenges. Moreover, he aspires to offer guidance and support to a larger number of PhD and MSc students, aiding them in successfully completing their degrees with timeliness and quality. Collaboration holds great importance for him, and he eagerly looks forward to working with members of EtAS  and professionals from diverse industries and academic fields as part of a team.

For further detail:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassu-jilcha-phd-956ba770/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jkassu1

Google Scholar; https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-THaZJYAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kassu-Jilcha-2?ev=hdr_xprf&_sg=clBOcoC44EEtHuBGThLWA86hoU50Ao4gvQrjzkiGjfxN5tFGic-fm4MX52RXTzgmz8BcJHdJ4b9XE0JGQjvotO1C

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jilchasileyew

Hobbies

• Usual hobbies are attending church ceremonies, reading different books (my best), listening Spiritual songs, visiting   historical places, window shopping and others. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• In Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing of Amharic, Oromic and English I am excellent.

1. Professor Daniel Kitaw, professor during my MSC and PhD study, Professor at  School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box: 10377, Mob.: 251-911229880, E-mail: danielkitaw@yahoo.com

2. Associate Professor Dr.Ir.  Eshetie  Berhan (PhD) Research and Technology Transfer Director and   School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box: 385, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mobile: +251-0912-632735, E-mail:  eshetie_ethio@yahoo.com, website: http://eshetieberhan.wix.com/eshetie

3. Associate Professor Dr. Birhanu Beshah (PhD) School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box: 385, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mobile: +251-0913767502, E-mail:  birhanu.beshah@aait.edu.et

4. Assistatnt  Professor Dr. Desalegn Wogaso (PhD)   School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box: 385, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mobile: +251-0961014035, E-mail:  desalegnalem@gmail.com

5. Assistant Professor, Dr. Yitagesu Yilma in the School of Electromechanical Engineering, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Mobile number +251-913033328, E-mail: yitagesub@yahoo.com