Debre Markos University (DMU) and Edelmark AS held a virtual meeting on 13 August 2026 to discuss the implementation of their recently established Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and identify practical areas for collaboration in research, innovation, capacity building, and technology transfer.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Melkamu Bezabih, Vice President for Research and Community Service at DMU, who welcomed the partners and emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing shared agendas, particularly in the bio-circular economy, sustainable resource utilization, research, and innovation.

Dr. Sintayehu Musie presented an overview of DMU and the DMU–Edelmark AS MoU, while Alene Tesfamichael, Founder and CEO of Edelmark AS, introduced the company and highlighted potential areas of collaboration, including vermicomposting and biochar technology. Dr. Dereje T Asefa, Project Leader at Edelmark AS, further introduced the company’s work and potential contributions to the partnership. Dr. Getnet Atinafu, Director of International Relations of  Research and Partnership at DMU, highlighted the university’s partnership journey and commitment to strategic collaboration.

Participants welcomed the initiative and emphasized the need to translate the MoU into practical and measurable joint activities. They proposed establishing a joint working team to identify funding opportunities, develop research concepts, and prepare joint proposals. The Institute of Technology also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among DMU’s colleges, institutes, departments, and researchers.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to develop a strategic action plan covering priority research areas, joint team formation, resource mobilization, and proposal development, marking an important step toward a practical, productive, and sustainable DMU–Edelmark AS partnership.