ALLPI Scientific Meeting in Mombasa

ALLPI held its second scientific meeting from 3 to 4 August at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort, in Mombasa, Kenya. Five Universities, namely Makerere University Business School (MUBS)-Uganda, Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST)-Sudan, National University of Science and Technology (NUST)-Zimbabwe, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)-Kenya, Bahir Dar University- Ethiopian Institute of Textile & Fashion Technology (EITEX)-Ethiopia took part and presented progress reports on their ongoing collaborative research projects with ALLPI and/or two new Concept Notes. Each presentation was followed by thorough discussion. The ongoing projects and newly submitted Concept Notes were as listed here below:

Ongoing projects:

1. The Supply and Demand Implications on the Restriction on Exports of Hides and Skins and a Ban on Imports of Second Hand Footwear in East Africa- MUBS;
2. Determinants of the leather technology adoption by artisan/SMEs involved in the leather footwear and leather goods manufacturing in Kenya- DeKUT;
3. Modification of leather waste gelatin resin with Azanza garckeana fruit extract; NUST; and
4. Preparation and Characterisation of Leather Boards fabricated from a Mixture of Chrome Tanned Leather Waste and Cyperus Textilis Fibres for Automotive Interior Applications- NUST

Newly submitted concept notes:

1. Enhanced academia involvement for fast tracking SMEs development in the leather sector in Sudan- SUST and
2. Design Related Challenges of the Ethiopian Footwear and Leather Goods Manufacturing sub sectors and possible areas of Interventions- EITEX

Following the contributions of all participants on each ongoing research project and newly submitted Concept Notes, it was agreed to re-visit the remaining activities details of the ongoing projects and refine the Concept Notes as per the suggestions and recommendations of the Meeting Participants. It was also agreed to make presentation on outputs of each research project, during the forthcoming ALLPI Regional Consultative Forum that will be held in Port Sudan, Sudan in December 2018 in which more than 70 participants (private sector, public sector and academia) from the region and across the globe are expected to attend.