MODULE ONE: UNDERSTANDING HIGHER EDUCATION

Unit One: Features of Higher Education

Activity 1 - P. 5

1. Outline the characteristic features of higher education?

 Higher education institutions have their own structure or format in the leader ship.
 In higher education institutions, there are academic staffs, administrative staffs and
academic supporting staffs.
 Higher education is an institution where brainstorming and pertinent learning and
reflective activities are incorporated.
 International teachers and students are involved in the institute.

2. How does the academic profession differ from other professions?

 Regular reading and updating themselves is required from academic profession than
from other professions

3. What are the current challenges of Ethiopian higher education and what you think are
their sources?
 The current Ethiopian higher education challenges are quality problem, bad
management, corruption etc. the sources may be politics, the curriculum, the low
wages, less responsiveness, lack of transparency and loyalty, etc.,
4. Higher education institutions across the globe are increasingly pressed to find ways of
proving their worth not only in the academic preparation of students, but also in how their
preparations are linked to business and industry. Discuss the actions that need to be taken
by your university in addressing this issue?
 Our university should do community works in large and try to find solution and the
result has to be in production, or manufacturing, thus for business. Moreover, our
university should make link with nearby industries both private and government

Activity 2 - P. 6

List the advantages and disadvantages of the process of globalization in the development of
higher education in Ethiopia.

Advantages of Globalization Disadvantages of Globalization

 Advancement in science and  Bias culture and language
technology  Adoption problem
 Provides internationalization
 Improves quality education
 Enhance Research work and
publication

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Activity-3

1. What do you think are the advancements and challenges of higher education institutions
in Sub-Saharan Africa in general and in Ethiopia in particular?

Advancements Challenges
High coverage, or enrollment Education quality problem
Doing research and community service Bad management
Academic staff access to education corruption
Massification, privatization

2. State how globalization [in higher education] has affected the development of Ethiopian
higher education with regard to organization (structure), curriculum development, and
system of evaluation, certification and other similar aspects.
 Globalization in higher education has affected the development of Ethiopian
higher education in massification and in the growth of the private sector, hence
results in poor quality of education.

3. How should Ethiopian higher education institutions be steered to best accomplish their
missions in the context of globalization? Developing harmonized curriculum and
continuous follow up private institutions should be made by the ministry of education.

Activity 4

Identify internal and external factors that influence the quality of higher education in Ethiopia.

Internal factors External factors

Bad management politics
corruption globalization

Activity 5

1. In your opinion what are the strengths, gaps or limitations of the 2009 Higher Education
Proclamation?

Strengths Limitations / gaps

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2. Do you think that the current academic and administrative bodies of higher education
institutions in Ethiopia are competent enough to meet the expectations of the society?

 No, because most of them are not nominated by their ability but by politics.

3. Based on your experience as a higher education teacher, discuss the theoretical, structural and
practical options for the success of HEIs in Ethiopia.

 Avoid the interference of external factors like politics, top and medium
managements of the university should not involve in purchasing committee, in the
research and community service.

4. Rate the level of responsiveness of Ethiopian HEIs to the issues indicated in the following
table.

S/N HEIs responsiveness high medium low Justification for

rating
1 Local needs and expectations  Doing research an
community
service
2 Regional needs and  Less than
expectations expected
3 National needs and  less
expectations
4 International standards  less

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