Adult Education and Community Development Department under the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences hosted a national conference themed Adult and Non-Formal Education for Sustainable Development on June 01, 2019 at Ras Hotel, Harar.
“The dynamism of societal development and the need to tap the potential of every citizen for our country’s development calls for ever readiness to enhance access, equity, relevance, and quality of education,” addressed Prof. Nigussie Dechassa, Vice-president for Academic Affairs, in his opening speech. He added, “We all need, therefore, to battle it out for a decent place for enhanced inclusive education, which comprises not only formal education but also adult and non-formal education.”
Keynote speaker Prof. Jeylan Wolyie, Vice-president for Administration and Students Affairs, said, “The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is progressing rapidly in diversifying programs at all levels by offering quality programs in the fields of study that are among priority agenda of Haramaya University. … [And] this national conference on Adult and Non-Formal Education for Sustainable Development … may provide opportunities for sharing ideas pertaining to adult education policy issues, recent research in the discipline, best practices, and knowledge exchange among different stakeholders.”
The conference saw academicians, researchers, scholars and development partners gathered to deliberate on scholarly information, experiences, and current trends and practices in adult education and community development.
The event was attended by more than 100 university staff members, senior professionals from different universities (Addis Ababa, Ambo, Mada Walabu, Gondar, Hawassa, Mettu, Arba Minch, Dire Dawa, Oda Bultum, Jigjiga), and stakeholders from international, national and regional focal persons from MoE; MoSHE; DVV International; Addis Ababa, Oromia, West and East Hararge, Harari, Dire Dawa City Administration, and Haramaya education bureaus.
Twelve papers were presented by academicians and practitioners from different universities and regional offices reflecting various views and approaches towards Adult and Non-formal Education for sustainable development.
The conference gave an opportunity to identify specific priority actions that can be taken for enhancing adult and non-formal education in our country. It can also help enrich the discussions about long-term needs for enhancing access, equity, relevance, and quality of education in the Country.
The conference was concluded with the awarding of certificates to paper presenters and organizer of the conference. Dr. Mengistu Urge, Director of Postgraduate Programs Directorate, in his closing remark underlined the conferences contributed to globalization and dissemination of new trends in field of Adult and Non-formal Education in order to meet the demands generated by the globalization of education. He added that further improvements are strongly needed for the global community that is encountering more complex educational needs of a greater variety where the social change is generating new problems on a daily basis.