Pedagogy Presentation for MA students

1. Organizational Structure &
Governance System of Higher
Education in Ethiopia

2. Content outline
 Concept of Higher Education
 What is organizational structure and
Governance?
 Organizational structure and Governance
system of Ethiopian Higher Education
 Experiences of Some Selected Ethiopian
Higher Education(HE) Institutions: Public
and Private
 Conclusion

3. 1. What is Higher Education(HE)?
An education in the arts & sciences
offered to undergraduates & graduate
students who attend degree programmes
through any of the delivery modes(
Regular, distance, continuing)(Proc.
650/2009)
An education beyond the secondary
level; especially : education provided by a
college or university(Merriam Webster
dictionary)

4. Cont….
• Therefore, HE refers to an education
provided beyond certificate and diploma
programmes for tertiary level students;
undergraduate, graduate & Post graduate
students
HE in Ethiopia includes:
 University
 University College
 College
 Institute

5. 2. Organizational Structure and
Governance System of HE
What is organizational Structure?
 are sets of relations b/n the roles of an
organization. For example, ‘‘vertical
differentiation’’ or ‘‘authority structure’’ of
organizations, usually considered to be a
‘‘hierarchy’’ structure. (Fararo 1997; Sørensen 1978)
 Hence, organizational structure is the way in which
organization’s activities divided, organized and
coordinated.
 Currently, higher Educations in Ethiopia are
organized in to decentralized type of structures by
which institutions granted autonomy. What is its
advantage?

6. What is Governance System of HE?
 Higher Education governance is multi level concept
including several different bodies & processes with different
decision-making functions(Kezar and Eckel, 2004).
 Is the legally defined working r/ship among academic and
administrative units or organs of the institution and the
arrangement that governs institutional decision making by
different hierarchical organs of lawfully constituted bodies.
? Governance of HE become a crucial issue in the 21st C.
Why? Kennedy(2003)
?Do you believe that the participation of external
stakeholders in governance of HE is right ? Why?

7. Cont….
? What are the common structural elements of
HE?
There are common elements in the structure different HE
Institutions. these are;
 Ministry,
 Governing Board
 Senate
 President
 Vice Presidents(The number may vary): Academic &
Administrative V/Presidents
 Managing council
 College/Institute
 Academic commission
 Department/school/centre
Advisory or specialized Committees or Councils etc

8. Cont…
Generally HE Institutions have the ff staff categories;
A. Academic Staff
• A staff of Academic professionals
• involved in teaching and/or research, and in d/t
academic issues
? Can say there have been an academic freedom for
teachers in HE?
B. Research Staff
• Major role of Research and minor Role of Teaching
C. Technical Support Staff
A Staff of technical support to the administrative and
academics; managing teaching, field research facilities,
health and medical facilities, library resources,
laboratories

9. Cont….
D. Administrative Support Staff
 A staff that support the day to day functioning of the
administrative activities
 Personnel of an institution employed to provide
administrative, business management, accounting,
catering, maintenance, safety, security and such other
services(Proc.650/2009)
F. Professional in Teaching Hospitals

10. 3. Organizational Structure & Governance
System of Ethiopian HE Institutions
? Do you believe that the organizational
structure of HE is similar across all
institutions?
1. Board
 Has 7 voting members with chairperson appointed
by the Ministry and accountable to the Ministry
Responsible to; Supervision, Examine, approve&
follow up organizational policy, plan, Nominate
the President for appointment & appoint V/Ps,
Auditors, Taking disciplinary measures,
Monitor implementation of senate legislation ,
approve promotion professorship etc…..

11. 2. Senate
Majority members are academic staffs appointed by the
President
Members include; the President(Chairperson),
V/Presidents, Registrar, College Deans, Librarian,
Leaders of Academic staff, Directors, Members of
Academic Staff & Students Representatives, other
assigned members
The leading & highest decision making body of
Academic issues
Has different committees: standing & Ad hoc

12. Responsibilities of the Senate
 Determine academic calendar
 Accredit & supervise academic programs and units
 Legislating & ensuring proper implementation of
institution
 Determine conditions on which degrees, diplomas &
certificates awarded or provoked
 Decide on type, number, membership and responsibilities
of its specialized committees
 Approve nominations by for employment of Academic
staff with rank of Professor
 Advice the president on the appoint of academic office
holders

13. 3. The President
Chief executive officer of Universities
Selected by the Board & appointed by the Minister
Term office; Six years
Responsibilities of the President
• Direct and administer the public institution
• Open and operate bank accounts in the of the institution
• Represent the institution in all dealings with third parties;
• Build and maintain a reliable safety and security system
• Inform periodically about the institution to concerned
• Ensure that the institution prepares high quality
graduates

14. Cont….
 Ensure capable internal leadership & Management
 Determine & implement quality of education,
research and efficient of service delivery
 Ensure policies, directives & procedures are in
conformity with Proclamation, laws and policies;
 Resolve disputes peacefully and by legal means
 Prepare plans & budget, and ensure their
implementation and
 Other responsibilities provided……………

15. 4. Vice Presidents
Nominated by the President& Senate and approved by
the Board
 Executive officer of Universities
Term office; 4 years
No of vice Presidents vary (Proc.650/2009, Art. 54/2)
e.g. AAU(4 VPs),HU(4VPs), DMU(3VPs), AMU(3 VPs),
Hawasa U(3VPs), Unity University Coll.(3V/Ps)
Responsibilities of the Vice Presidents(Art.54)
 Advise, assist & support the president
 Exercise the responsibilities the president may entrust to
him/her and
 Other responsibilities provided………..

16. 5. Managing Council(MC)
Established at University level to advise the president on
strategic issues and on other cases that the president believes
Include; President, V/presidents, Student Affairs officer &
other pertinent officers
Its chairperson is the President
Accountable to the president
Responsibilities of MC
 Advise the president on strategic issues and on other cases that
the President require collective examination.
 Serve as a forum for monitoring, coordination and evaluation of
institutional operations.
 Meet regularly at least twice a month on a regular day

17. 6. University Council
 Serve as an advisory/consultative body to the
President on institutional proposals regarding plans,
budget, organizational structures, academic
programs, agreements of cooperation, and on
division, merger, and closure of academic units as
well on performance.
 Accountable to the President.
 Consist core members of MC, all deans, directors,
members of senate standing committee, chief
librarian, registrar, other key academic officers, dep’t
heads, & academic staff and student representatives

18. 7. College/Institute
 College: an academic unit of University that coordinates
& oversees the academic, research, and community
services activities of departments/schools and centers.
 Institute: an academic unit of University with principal
objectives of carrying out multi-disciplinary research &
publishing the results and engage in teaching.
 College Dean: chief executive officer/manager of the
college and
 Director: executive manager of an institute or university
offices .
 In the university there may be different number of
College/Institute. For example, AAU has 11 colleges and
11 institutes

19. Duties & Responsibilities of Colleges
 Has strategic leadership, managerial & financial responsibilities.
 Coordinate formulation of standards & working procedures relevant
to the academic units
 Coordinate inter-college programs,
 Coordinate and endorse research proposals for approval and
funding,
 Promote/support & disseminate research outputs.
 Prepare consolidated plans & budget of the College and ensure
implementation
 Manage the college properties
 Plan and process the annual procurement for the college;
 Approve admission and placement of students
 Ensure the standards of academic activities in each of its
constituent units

20. 8. College Council
 A consultative body that advise deans of colleges on college
proposals regarding plans, budget, academic programs, &
on division, merger, and closure of academic units.
 A broad forum for holding consultations among the academic
units grouped under Colleges
 It is chaired by college deans
 Advice and support the college dean
Composition/Membership
 Dean;
Associate deans
Departments/Centers chairs/School heads
College Managing director;
Elected senior academic staff members of a College
Student representatives from both graduate and
undergraduate levels

21. 9. Managing Council(MC)
A council formed in each College/Institute for assisting
the managing affairs of the respective College or Institute.
It is accountable to College Academic Council & College
Dean
Composed of:
o Chairs /heads of dep’ts/centers, schools under the college;
academic staff & administrative officers of the college that
the Dean chooses,
o Associate deans,
o Representatives of academic & administrative staff,
o College/Institute gender and educational equity officers;
o Elected representatives of students.
 Meet at least twice every semester & discuss issues on
which the AC and/or the Dean require professional advice.

22. 10. Academic Commission (CAC)
 It is established in each College of the university
 Term office: 3 years
 Highest body of a college for academic/research matters.
 Composed of;
The dean, chair;
 Elected academic staff representatives
Dep’t/ Center chairs & School Heads; Vice Deans;
Student Representatives;
Managing Director of the college;
Head of the gender & educational equity office of the
College;
Head of the College library; and
Associate registrar & other pertinent officers necessarily

23. CAC: Duties and Responsibilities
 Set guidelines to facilitate the teaching-learning
process;
 Issue guidelines for setting/marking of examinations
 Recommend to the Senate the establishment of new
programs and modifications of existing ones
 Promote research works in college & issue their
execution
 Review the missions and objectives of the
academic units & evaluate the success of their
implementation;
 Promote the welfare of staff and students and ensure
observance of discipline in the college

24. Cont……
 Review grades and determine academic status of
students of the college every semester;
 Recommend the Senate on graduation of and
determine medal winner of the college in each
semester.
 Review and recommend budget proposals to the budget
office and allocate approved budget for the various
activities of the college.
 Initiate and execute schemes for scholarships,
fellowships, prizes and other awards to promote
academic excellence in the college;
 Recommend the granting of graduate degrees, diplomas
and/ or certificates

25. 11. Dep’t, Schools and Centers
 are basic units of higher education institutions. Why?
 Dep’t: a unit in the college/institute that offer courses and
conduct research. Or it is a discipline-based executive
academic unit engaged mainly in teaching, research, and
provision of community services and that runs
 School: Academic unit equivalent to dep’t involve in
teaching, research & provision of community services
 Centre : a unit that is directly attached to the university
for defined purpose
Head: Executive manager of departement or school
Chair: Executive manager of the Centre
 In each department/center/school of every college, there
shall be established an academic committees.

26. ?How far dep’ts free from intervention and
influence by the higher organs in their decisions?
Duties & Responsibilities of Heads/Chairs
Have executive authority over academic and administrative
matters
Initiate the creation or revision of academic programs and
recommend to college
Propose the creation of new academic units or the
restructuring or dissolution of existing units
Initiate and develop research proposals for their staff;
Facilitate the recruitment and selection of academic staff
 Process the promotion of academic staff
 Take minor disciplinary measures on academic staff including
oral warning, written warning

27. Cont……..
 Recommend leaves, transfers, resignations, joint
appointment and service extension of academic staff
 Prepare plans and budget of their respective
departments/schools/centers
 Invite, select and , recruit, students for admission as per
the Higher Education Proclamation and rules and
regulations of the University
 Process and approve the academic status of students on
the basis of University academic requirements and
recommend their graduation
 Oversee the wellbeing of students of their respective
departments/schools centers

28. Cont….
Facilitate and follow-up academic advice of students
Direct teaching and research activities, organize
workshops or conferences, encourage publications of
research outputs
Prepare staff development plan
Ensure maintenance of up-to-date records on the
teaching, research, and consultancy services of the
department/school/center and report.
Assign teachers, tutors, advisors, supervisors, and
examiners for graduate, undergraduate, regular and
extension students

29. Cont….
 Conduct and process performance evaluation of
academic staff every semester
 Ensure the maintenance of proper records of students of
the department/school/center
 Initiate and recommend interdisciplinary programs in
collaboration with other academic units
 Plan and execute community services related to its
academic activities
 Conduct meetings with students
 Compile biannual and annual report and submit same
to the college
 Perform other related duties assigned by the Dean of the
college

30. 4. Some Selected Experiences: Public and
Private HE Institutions
The organizational structure & governance system of
Ethiopian HE Institutions have a slight difference.
 But, mostly they are similar because of the common HE
proclamation they used as a ground for their organizational
arrangement and governance.
 One of the major differences between these HE institutions is
their number of Vice Presidents Assigned. For example,
AAU(4 VPs),HU(4VPs), DMU(3VPs), AMU(3 VPs), Hawasa
U(3VPs). In addition the naming of different organizational
bodies of HE institutions also may vary.
 Generally the following organizational structure chart of HE
Institutions shows their slight difference and their
commonalities .

31. ……………………. …………….
………………………………………….
. ………
U: University Key: HoARECN:Horn of Africa
M: Managing Reg. Env’t Center & Network
AELC: Academy of Eth.
Lang. & Cultures
Governing
Board
Office of
PresidentU Senate
M Council
U Council
Colleges/
Institutes
Dep’t/Schools
/Centers
HoA
REC
N
Off.
Aca.
VP
Off.
VP
Adm
& St.
Servi
ce
Off.
VP
Inst
Dev
’t
Off.
Exec.
Direc.
Coll
H/Sc
Inst.
Techno
IPSS AELC
Off.
VP
Res.
&
Tech
Tran
s
Addis Ababa University

32. Hawasa University

36. Haramaya University

37. Alpha University College

38. Concluding Questions
 Why HE institutions employ a number of
members in different committees?
 How do we evaluate the efficiency of
governance system of HE institutions of
Ethiopia?

39. Conclusion
 The current government Higher Education Institutions of
Ethiopia allows decentralized organizational structure and
governance.
 Without prejudice to the Ministry proclamation 650/2009
Higher Education Institutions may apply slightly different
organizational structure with each other.
 That means organizational structure and governance of HE is
diverse .
 Majority of Ethiopian Higher education Institutions have
about three Vice Presidents with different duties and
responsibilities. Only few have four Vice presidents like
AAU, HU etc….

40. Cont……
• Institutional organization and governance of
HEs is organized based on the national
proclamation.
 And governance structure of Institutions tells
how stakeholders communicate each other.
 Despite HEs are autonomous but still the
government has a very crucial role especially in
finance.
 Decentralized structure of HE Institutions may
subject to abuse of power by the Institutions. But, if
this decentralized structure is properly handled it is
important to build effective and efficient institutions.

41. References Used
 Higher Education Proclamation No. 650/2009
 Senate Legislation of Arba Minch University, 2013
 Haramaya University Senate Legislation, 2013
 Addis Ababa University Senate Legislation Revised,2013
 Alpha University College Senate legislation
 Merriam Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/higher%20education)
 Interviews