Haramaya University Hosted National Undergraduate Education Program Standard Validation Workshop

FDRE Ministry of Education in collaboration with Haramaya University conducted national undergraduate education program standard validation workshop at Dire Dawa University from May 20-21, 2022.

During the two days workshop, 10 educational programs standards were evaluated in the presence of 23 representatives of higher education institutions and the Ministry of Education. It was stated that the workshop aimed at realizing a sustainable and internationally recognized quality education in undergraduate programs.

In his opening speech he made on behalf of Haramaya University, Prof. Abi Tadesse said that the quality of education is ensured when educational programs can be used for the purpose of producing qualified graduates (fit to the purpose).

In this regard, he said, it is important to exert efforts scientifically in order to address the limitations in the quality of education; standardizing and validating educational programs is one of the important efforts we exert to insure quality education.

Mr. Besufekad Hailemariam, a senior expert in higher education programs and curricula at the Ministry of Education of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, said that the quality of education is proved when the programs designed can produce graduates who are able to fit the desired purpose. He added that the ministry is working to implement a system of standardization and validation for undergraduate programs to ensure the quality of higher education in a sustainable manner. One of the activities that have been done is identifying Universities’ mission and focus area which can be taken as one step. What is being done now is standardizing and validating the undergraduate programs aiming to produce qualified and competent graduates. This standardizing and validating is based on the recommendations of studies conducted on the Educational Roadmap.

While there are 327 undergraduate programs, we are currently working to develop 33 curriculum standard assessments this year, and 10 programs have been evaluated by professionals today, added Mr. Besufekad.

The scholars participated in the work shop, in their part, said that the work being done by the Ministry of Education to maintain the quality of education is highly commendable and should be intensified. The ongoing undergraduate program standardization and validation workshop will contribute a lot to maintain the quality of education and produce nationally and internationally competitive graduates, according to the scholars.

Source: HARAMAYA University