Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementation

The Ethiopian Higher Education Proclamation (No. 650/2009) states that public higher education institutions have the autonomy to nominate top-level leaders. However, until recently the university community was not involved in the nomination and appointment of top level-leaders. In 2017, the Ministr...

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Main Author: Abebaw Yirga Adamu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: College of education, Bahir Dar University 2023-06-01
Series:Bahir Dar Journal of Education
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Online Access:https://www.Ajol.Info/index.php/bdje/article/view/248648
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author Abebaw Yirga Adamu
author_facet Abebaw Yirga Adamu
author_sort Abebaw Yirga Adamu
collection DOAJ
description The Ethiopian Higher Education Proclamation (No. 650/2009) states that public higher education institutions have the autonomy to nominate top-level leaders. However, until recently the university community was not involved in the nomination and appointment of top level-leaders. In 2017, the Ministry of Education endorsed a new participatory, transparent and ?erit-based?strategy for selecting and appointing higher education leaders. This study assessed the implementation of the new leadership selection and appointment process mainly based on the experiences of the university community. The study was conducted at Bahir Dar University, one of the public universities in Ethiopia. The participants of the study were members of the search and selection committee, candidates for different leadership positions, and staff representatives who participated in the selection process. Participants were selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through interview and document review and analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. The study revealed that the selection process ensures equality of opportunity and it is transparent from the outset to the end. However, there were issues which created confusion among the community, including eligibility of applicants, terms of office of the search and selection committee, point allocation for experience based on different ranges, number of candidates considered to be sufficient to run the selection process, and the procedure that needs to be followed if there are no enough applicants for a post. The study also showed concerns and discontent of the University community regarding the selection practice including staff underrepresentation in the selection process, the weight given to staff evaluation, and the emphasis given to promote women participation in leadership. It is also understood that the Directive is a necessary but not sufficient condition to promote ethnic diversity given the politicization of ethnicity in the country. The study necessitates the need for early intervention to address discontents and confusions.
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spelling doaj-art-abbab888031d41f9878c2674100a5c212025-02-08T19:50:56ZengCollege of education, Bahir Dar UniversityBahir Dar Journal of Education1816-336X2415-04522023-06-01191Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementationAbebaw Yirga Adamu0Ethiopian Institute of Higher Education, Addis Ababa University The Ethiopian Higher Education Proclamation (No. 650/2009) states that public higher education institutions have the autonomy to nominate top-level leaders. However, until recently the university community was not involved in the nomination and appointment of top level-leaders. In 2017, the Ministry of Education endorsed a new participatory, transparent and ?erit-based?strategy for selecting and appointing higher education leaders. This study assessed the implementation of the new leadership selection and appointment process mainly based on the experiences of the university community. The study was conducted at Bahir Dar University, one of the public universities in Ethiopia. The participants of the study were members of the search and selection committee, candidates for different leadership positions, and staff representatives who participated in the selection process. Participants were selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through interview and document review and analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. The study revealed that the selection process ensures equality of opportunity and it is transparent from the outset to the end. However, there were issues which created confusion among the community, including eligibility of applicants, terms of office of the search and selection committee, point allocation for experience based on different ranges, number of candidates considered to be sufficient to run the selection process, and the procedure that needs to be followed if there are no enough applicants for a post. The study also showed concerns and discontent of the University community regarding the selection practice including staff underrepresentation in the selection process, the weight given to staff evaluation, and the emphasis given to promote women participation in leadership. It is also understood that the Directive is a necessary but not sufficient condition to promote ethnic diversity given the politicization of ethnicity in the country. The study necessitates the need for early intervention to address discontents and confusions. https://www.Ajol.Info/index.php/bdje/article/view/248648AssessmentEthiopiahigher educationleadershipselection and appointment
spellingShingle Abebaw Yirga Adamu
Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementation
Bahir Dar Journal of Education
Assessment
Ethiopia
higher education
leadership
selection and appointment
title Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementation
title_full Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementation
title_fullStr Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementation
title_full_unstemmed Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementation
title_short Selection and appointment of higher education leaders in Ethiopia: An assessment of implementation
title_sort selection and appointment of higher education leaders in ethiopia an assessment of implementation
topic Assessment
Ethiopia
higher education
leadership
selection and appointment
url https://www.Ajol.Info/index.php/bdje/article/view/248648
work_keys_str_mv AT abebawyirgaadamu selectionandappointmentofhighereducationleadersinethiopiaanassessmentofimplementation