College of Social Sciences and Humanities conducted National Curriculum Review Workshop on August 28, 2017 as part of its preparations to launch two Ph.D. programs: Ph.D. in Peace & Development Studies and Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Studies for the coming 2017/18 academic year.
In his opening speech, Dr. Belaineh Legesse, Vice-president for Administration and Student Affairs, appreciated the College’s initiative to expand and diversify its academic programs by launching such innovative programs that would become vital additions to the existing pool of diverse Ph.D. programs run by the university. He also noted that both programs are relevant and in line with the university’s vision to become one of the leading universities in Africa by the year 2025 and assured the university management’s relentless and continuous support for the college in implementing the programs as envisioned.
As Dr. Adinew Tadesse, Dean of the College clarified the curricula for the programs were developed based on needs assessment. The developed curricula were also critically scrutinized and evaluated through Internal/In-house Curriculum Review Workshop. It is after passing through these rigorous processes that this National Workshop was organized to further evaluate and enrich the two curricula with the participation of professional reviewers, staff, students, and stakeholders.Through these programs, the college aspires to address the dynamic and complex issues of the society such as conflict, security, justice, environmental crisis, climate change, food security, migration, disaster, etc. to mention some.
Furthermore, Dr. Mengistu Urge, Director for Postgraduate Programs Directorate, in his closing speech, expressed his gratitude to the reviewers and the workshop participants for the constructive comments and suggestions forwarded to shape the content, pedagogy, and structure of the curriculum for the two programs.
He recommended addressing the concerns and inquiries forwarded and making both programs ready for implementations they are relevant and high demand at the moment. The event was attended by over 60 HU staff, postgraduate students and senior professionals from Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar Universities.