The Training on Policies and Strategies said a success
Ethiopian Civil Service University Center for Academic and Professional Development organized a three days training to the University`s new staff from June 6 -8 2014. All new academic staff and administrative department heads and team leaders participated in the training.
In the opening program Dr. Hailemichael Abera, President of the University, said it is important to know the policies and strategies of the country as all what we do are emanated from these policies and strategies. As professionals of higher learning institutions, we are expected to employ efforts in order to have in-depth knowledge on the why of the issues and relating them with what we do. We have to strive to exploit what all these policies and strategies will provide in terms of developing our knowledge, skills, attitude, organization and developmental thinking.
On the first day of the training, Fitsum Kebere, Director of Center for training and Consultancy and Abebe Tegegn, Head of Students` Service gave presentation on Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and the three years Agriculture sector performance of the Growth and Transformation Plan respectively.
The first presenter, Fitsum Kebere, pointed out the fundamental principles of the economic development of the country. According to Fitsum, ensuring rapid and sustainable economic development, benefiting the public at large, becoming self sufficient and building strong free economic system are among the main principles of the economic development. Fitsum added Agriculture Development Led Industrialization is in the center to achieve these principles. She also discussed the main features of the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy.
Abebe Tegegn on his part presented the three years performance of the GTP in Agricultural Sector. The agriculture sector has registered seven percent growth on average from 2010 to 2013. The contribution of the sector in the country`s economy is 42.9 percent in 2013, which is lower than the 45.6 percent contribution in 2010. This might be linked with the efforts made to change the structure of the economy. It was also indicated in the presentation that the number of people living in poverty reduced to 26 percent in 2013 compared to 29 percent in 2010. Abebe also further discussed crop production and productivity, natural resource management, food self-sufficiency and disaster prevention and preparedness, and private sector development participation.
Dr. Samson Kassahun, Academic Vice President of the University also presented Industry Development Strategy. Dr. Samson described the following as fundamental principles of the strategy.
- Considering the Private Sector as an Engine of the Industrial Development Strategy,
- Implementing Agricultural Development Led Industrialization Principle,
- Implement Export-led industrialization principle,
- Focusing on the expansion of labor intensive industry direction,
- Implementing effective domestic-foreign investment partnership method,
- Implementing the direction where, the government will play a leading managerial role,
- Implementing the principle that encourages the active participation of the public.
Dr. Samson also presented the three years performance of the GTP in Industry sector.
Dr. Hailemichael Abera, President of the University presented the FDRE`s Foreign Affairs and National Security Policy. In the presentation Dr. Hailemichael discussed on basic principles of the policy. He also talked about the historical background and the importance of Ethiopia`s relations with neighboring countries, the Middle East countries, African countries, Eastern and Western countries, regional and sub regional organizations like AU, EU and UN. Dr. Hailemichael also discussed the major achievements of policy implementations.
Ayneabeba Andualem, director of Center for Academic and Professional Development and Demis Mered, Executive Assistant of the University`s president presented the capacity building strategy. Ayneabeba gave explanation on whatness of execution of capacity building, capacity building and development, capacity building and the connections of development strategies. He also raised the role of education and training in capacity building strategy package.
Demes on his part raised the Civil Service Reform programs and other capacity building programs. He emphasized on the fundamental principles of the Civil Service Reform programs, the content of the Civil Service Reform Program, further activities in the Civil Service Reform Program, tax collection improvement program, and Justice Administration improvement program. He also discussed on the national capacity building programs.
Teshome Tafesse, Lecturer and PhD candidate and Gebrehawariat Gebremedehen, Head of Procurement, Finance and Property Administration have given presentation on Democratization in Ethiopia. In the presentation they discussed on Democracy and Survival, Human Right and Democratic Rule, and Nations and Nationalities and democratic rule. They have also raised a variety of issues which induced a hot discussion.
Ato Tamene Chalchisa, Head of Institutional Planning and Assessment has given presentation on the three and half years performance of the five years Strategic plan performance of the University. Tamene briefly discussed on how the capacity building strategy of the country connected with the GTP and the University`s mission. He also showed achievements of the Strategic Plan in the four perspectives.
Last but not least, Dr. Dereje Terefe, Director of Center for Public policy Studies has given presentation on organization, working procedures and existing status of Reform Army. Dr. Dereje set learning objectives of the training as enabling the participants to understand the objectives and mission of Reform Army, creating awareness on the part of the participants in order to effectively put it in to practice, using it as a tool for planning, follow up and assessment, and for prevalence of personal and common accountability.
At the end of the training, Dr. Hailemichael and Dr. Samson have given briefings on Developmental State Political Economy and other issues raised during the three days training program. Where as the participants of the training hailed the training as relevant, there was a general feeling that such kinds of trainings should be given frequently with especial emphasis on Education Policy.