ECSU Top Management Holds Press Conference
The Ethiopian Civil Service University Top management held press conference on January 11, 2012 at the senate hall on changes being witnessed in the university in areas of academic development, and reform army activities.
The University president Dr. Hailemichael Abera, and Dr.Samson Kasahun, Academic Vice President held the press Conference. Present at the conference were Ato G/hawariat G/Medihin, Finance and Procurement Department Head, Ato Demise Meried, Human Resource Department Head, W/o Tiruye Alem, External and Public Relation Department Head, Ato Alemayehu Seberu, Admission Department Head and Journalists.
The President opened his speech with a welcome note. Then, he gave an overview of the university current activities. In his speech the President pointed out the mission of the University as "building the capacity of the public sector through education, training, research and consultancy and professional certification services." In line with this mission, the president explained, we need to build educated citizens who serve the public with their knowledge and skill as well as anti rent-seeking attitude.
The president further noted that the University's five years strategic plan is cascaded from the country's Growth and Transformation Plan and one of the pillars of the plan is offering quality and relevant education. In its endeavor to discharge its responsibility for the achievement of the GTP, the University came to a decision to act in an organized manner in the form of Reform Army. The University formed three Reform Army teams in different levels: university level, institute and department level, and unit and individual level team. These teams are composed of top and middle managers, instructors, other academic and administrative staff and students: Dr.Hailemichael said The university level Reform Army team will follow the reform activities at the university level in coherent and successive manner .
He also talked about the achievements encountered in the process of building the reform army in the university. He said
"We believe that building the reform army at corporate level will help us to achieve our objectives and bring changes in short period of time.
Dr. Samson Kassahun, the academic vice president on his part explained the university new doctoral and postgraduate programs, under and post graduate students enrolled in the programs. He said the University opened three PhD programmes in Public Management, Public Financial Management and Urban Planning and Development, and 8 new post graduate and 2 undergraduate programs. These programs are opened based on the Growth and Transformation Plan of Ethiopia, said Dr. Samson.
According to Dr. Samson's explanation currently, there are 3,000 students enrolled in the 3 doctoral, 16 post graduate and 8 undergraduate programmes. He added the University continued working on widening the range of areas of studies and specialties.
He further said research is the other core process of the university. Therefore, the university is greatly engaged in conducting researches on four thematic areas. These are Federalism, Public Law, Leadership and Good Governance; Public and Financial Management, Public Policy; Urban Development; Cross-cutting issues related to the civil service.
The journalists raised questions like, how is the university's relation with other universities in the country. What are the contributions of the new programs to the success of the Growth and transformation plan of the country? When does the university start building the reform army and what are the achievements? , And what are the problems and challenges encountered in the past years?
The president and vice president answered the questions raised by the journalists. The vice president further elaborates how the University deal with the challenges which had been experienced in regards to shortage of well qualified and experienced lectures and books.
Finally, Dr. Hailemichael concluded the conference with thanking his colleagues and the journalist for providing an outlet for marketing the university activities.