Haramaya University Participates in National Workshop on WOAH-Aligned Veterinary Education
Haramaya University (HU) participated in a national workshop held from September 24–25, 2026, in Addis Ababa, focused on shaping Ethiopia’s outcome-based veterinary education aligned with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) competency standards. The event was organized as part of the Veterinary Education National Action Plan (VEd-NAP) 2025–2028.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Ethiopian Veterinary Association (EVA), veterinary institutions across Ethiopia, and partner organizations. Discussions focused on aligning Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curricula with a harmonized competency framework, outcome-based educational models, and national priorities.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the State Minister of Education, H.E. Dr. Eba Mijena, Director General for Higher Education Academic Affairs, highlighted the collaborative efforts between Ethiopian universities and The Ohio State University in strengthening veterinary education.
Dr. Eba reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to establishing an enabling framework for outcome-based education and stressed that implementing a harmonized national curriculum requires sustained cooperation among ministries, academic institutions, practitioners, and development partners through a One Health approach.
Ato Tesfaye Negewo, Head of the Curriculum and Programs Desk at the Ministry of Education, outlined policy expectations for higher education institutions, emphasizing that graduates must acquire both technical expertise and essential 21st-century skills to serve communities and farmers effectively.
Representing Haramaya University, Dr. Dinaol Belina, Grant Management Capacity Building Coordinator at HU and Vice Chair of the National Veterinary Curriculum Committee, detailed the year-long curriculum development work undertaken under VEd-NAP 2025–2028. Dr. Dinaol acknowledged the support of The Ohio State University and the coordinating role of the University of Gondar, noting that Haramaya University continues to leverage its partnerships to enhance educational quality and internationalization.
Dr. Dinaol also presented the output of Working Group 1 on Regulatory Medicine and Legislation, which addressed compliance frameworks, regulatory procedures, ethics, and international trade standards aligned with WOAH guidelines.
Additional contributions were made by HU College of Veterinary Medicine faculty members Prof. Adem Hiko and Prof. Tesfayehiwot Zerihun, who participated in technical discussions on competency development.
During the second day, members of the National Curriculum Committee held side consultations with Dr. Eba Mijena, Dr. Boja Endebo (President of the Ethiopian Veterinary Education Association), and Dr. Kassahun Tegegne (Academic Vice President of the University of Gondar) to discuss support mechanisms for final curriculum implementation. Senior officials expressed their commitment to providing institutional support throughout the remaining stages.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Kassahun Tegegne and a joint commitment among participating stakeholders to advance competency-driven veterinary education across Ethiopia under VEd-NAP 2025–2028.
Public and International Relations Directorate, Haramaya University
September 2026
Tags: Academic Workshop, Animal Health, Curriculum Standards, Haramaya University, Higher Education Ethiopia, National Workshop, Veterinary Curriculum, Veterinary Education, Veterinary Medicine, WOAH, World Organisation for Animal Health
