Background

The DCDE, as one of academic units of Haramaya university, is organized to coordinate four education programs, namely Continuing, Distance, and Summer undergraduate education programs, and Continuing and summer Postgraduate program.

Haramaya university   Directorates of continuing and distance education  (DCDE) was established 30 years ago  with continuing  education  program (CEP) .It started with   Certificate and Diploma Programs in the fields of agriculture delivering education at Haramaya University and Harar centre. After few years, a new CEP centre was established at Dire Dawa and Somali regional state at jigjiga .

Summer undergraduate education program (SEP) was opened at the end of 1990 E.C. aiming to deliver eructation for teachers during summer vacation. After two years in 1993 The distance education program was initiated to deliver education (to the level of diploma) in several fields of education with joint administration of the then Faculty of Education and business economics.

In 1996 E.C.  Continuing & Summer Postgraduate Program was opened .From the period1996 to 1999, it was the period   that faculty of continuing and distance education established.

The Distance education centres were opened in Somali and Harari regions, and Dire Dawa city  Administration. These centres   were:-

Harar, Dire Dawa, Jigjiga, Godey, Kebridahar, Shinile, Fike, Afdher, Degahabour, Warder and Liben

After six years, in 1999 E.C, degree programs were started to be offered distance under graduate education program in different fields under the College of Agriculture and Faculty of Business and Economics. With the expansion of training program in 2000, the faculty of continuing and distance education was renamed as Directorate of continuing and distance education (DCDE).The college is now offering degrees at BSc/BA and MSc/MA levels. Currently, the DCDE has more than 16,000 students which accounts for half of the total student population of Haramaya University.