ABOUT

Background

Since 1996, the establishment of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Haramaya University department of Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) has been providing trainings. Pursuant to the national health policy, long term plan of the government and mandate given to the Higher Education Institutions to train competent professionals for the development of the country the started its effort with Diploma programs in Medical Laboratory Technology. Since October 2003, the faculty based its campus in Harar town (Which is about 23 kms from the main campus) for effective training of the students in the nearby hospitals. Concurrent with the rapid changing field of laboratory medicine, the curriculum of the Department was periodically revised and commenced training of students at first degree (B.Sc.) level in the year 2003. Since then, the MLS department trained a number of laboratory professionals who were assigned by the Federal Ministry of Education of Ethiopia to meet the country’s demand of qualified laboratory professionals in strengthening the laboratory quality services.   In the meantime, the name of the department was changed from Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) to Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) in contemplation of reflecting the nature of the undergoing training. Department of MLS has followed the college and university custom in producing competent and qualified graduates to contribute to the ever-increasing human resource needs of the healthcare sectors and has significantly brought about the laboratory professionals of the nation.

The country demanded highly qualified and competent laboratory professionals in a diversified field of study was dramatically increasing due to the expansion of public Universities, research institutes, regional public health research laboratories, private laboratories and various industries (beverage, alcoholic food, and others). Hence, the MLS department has launched Master of Science (MSc) study in Medical Microbiology in 2013, MSc in Tropical and Infectious Diseases in October 2017, and PhD in Medical Microbiology in 2016. The PhD program in Medical Microbiology was launched in collaboration with Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI). In 2021, the department inaugurated additional four post graduate programs at MSc level in Medical Parasitology, Hematology and Immunohematology, Laboratory Leadership and Quality Assurance, Clinical Chemistry. Concurrent with the expansion of its programs the department has been promoted to school level and labelled to be School of Medical Laboratory Sciences (School of MLS). Recently, February 2023 the Haramaya university board has approved the second PhD program “Ph.D. in Tropical and Infectious Diseases” of the school of MLS. Furthermore, in collaboration with Amoud University the school launched two MSc (Medical Microbiology and Tropical and Infectious Diseases) regular programs in Somaliland in 2022. Currently, the school is running undergraduate (regular, summer in-service and post basic BSc in Medical Laboratory Sciences programs) and six M.Sc and two PhD (Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology and Ph.D. in Tropical and Infectious Diseases) regular programs.

Mission

The mission of the School of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) is to prepare medical laboratory professionals to demonstrate the highest quality of technical and clinical competences in providing quality healthcare services and conduct problem solving innovative health researches.

Vision

The school of Medical Laboratory Sciences is committed to improving the quality of life of our community. School of MLS in Haramaya University should be one of the leading programs in the East Africa with recognition of graduates for competence, leadership and compassion.

Core Values

  • Academic rigour
  • Accountability
  • Collaboration
  • Quality
  • Safe and ethical practice

Student profile

Currently, the school of medical laboratory sciences enrolled 107 undergraduate students in the generic regular and summer BSc programs. Besides there are also 72 MSc students in six existing fields at Harar campus and 7 MSc students in Medical Microbiology at Amoud University campus in Somaliland. Furthermore, the school had 11 PhD students in Medical Microbiology of which nine of them are staff of Haramaya University school of MLS.

School administration (duty and responsibility)

  1. Develop and obtain approval for school structure in programs and establishes agendas and convenes meeting of the college and university.
  2. Define and communicate scope of authority and responsibility of program coordinators
  3. Develop course schedules as per academic calendar and approves plans for all programs in the school.
  4. Appoint and charge appropriate ad hoc committees relating to different academic activities
  5. Develop and implement procedures for recruiting and selecting motivated staff for performance appraisal
  6. Approves all leave and travel for school members.
  7. Monitors the academic program to ensure progress toward objectives and compares semester/year end accomplishments in all areas against plans.
  8. Oversees the preparation of various records and reports required by the university
  9. Performs other duties as requested by the university as well as the college to the development of long-term objectives for the institution in both the University Specialized Hospital and academic programs.
  10. Participate in development of national policy, program and curriculum for health sciences.
  11. Develop annual activity and budget plan and follow up
  12. Develops plans necessary to obtain and maintain accreditation by national and other agencies.
  13. Motivate, communicate with, and lead the school in accomplishing educational objectives and directly supervises programs and practical sessions
  14. Counsel school members and directs the resolution of grievances.
  15. Assumes responsibility for academic matters involving students including programs of study, configuration in residence, academic honesty, and related matters; coordinates closely with other Deans and Student Services.

Partner organization

The school of MLS under the umbrella of Haramaya University established collaborative effort to enhance its deliverables. Among the HU_AHRI joint PhD program is implicating as an exemplary partnership in the country established between a research and higher institutions. The school also signed MOU with Jimma University to work together on the new PhD program in Tropical and Infectious Diseases as well as entomology researches in Eastern Ethiopia.  Moreover, It expands the collaboration to the young universities and regional health bureau in Eastern Ethiopia. To this end, the new post graduate program opened in Somaliland is a testimony for its attention of international contribution.

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