On September 22, 2022, at the University’s resource center, Haramaya University College of Health and Medical Science, in collaboration with the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, held an external curriculum review workshop for two new postgraduate programs: MSC in Pediatrics Development and Rehabilitative Nursing, and MA in Developmental Disability.
The Ministry of Education, the Deborah Foundation Center, the Harari and Oromia Region Education and Health offices, as well as other relevant stakeholder representatives participated in the workshop.
Dr. Ahmed Mohammed, Chief Executive Director of Haramaya University College of Health and Medical Sciences, stated during the program’s opening ceremony that the curriculum review is expected to have a significant positive impact on the sector’s underserved populations. Dr. Ahmed continued by pointing out that a recent study by prospective graduates of Haramaya University’s College of Health and Medical Sciences in the Harari Region through the Team Task Oriented Training (TTP) program reveals that in one district (woreda) only, there are more than 50 children with various developmental disabilities that require special support, and this confirms the problem’s size and scope.
Dr. Ahmed added that because there is a lack of understanding in the neighborhood, even moms who give birth to kids with developmental problems experience social isolation. This curriculum is different because it is developed in conjunction with people with disabilities, and that makes it very important because it helps children to get support and supervision, and it creates a society with an educated workforce that has awareness and knowledge about their different abilities and problems, according to Dr. Ahmed.
In the final discussion, it was stated that children with various health problems and developmental disabilities face an isolation problem in their communities, schools, and even within their families. That makes the problem serious.
Finally, Haramaya University receives an appreciation certificate from the Deborah Foundation.
The workshop participants group photo.
By: Aweke Ayalneh
Camera: Fuad Ahmed