A Workshop on Curriculum Development of Transport Management Held
Ethiopian Civil Service University and Federal Transport Authority jointly held a workshop on curriculum development in Transport Management Masters Programme 11th-12th ,2012 at the University's Renaissance hall. Fifty scholars drawn from Ethiopian Civil Service University, Federal Transport Authority, Addis Ababa Transport Authority and other federal and regional buearos attended the workshop.
In his introductory speech, Ato Belew Dagnew, chairperson of the Curriculum Developing Committee said
" transport is an important development inducing center that serves as a pumping force like the heart of animal metabolism. "
Ato Belew also gave a description of Road Infrastructure Development, Vehicle Development and Road Service Administration in Ethiopia. According to Ato Belew the amount of road length 6400 in 1951 is grown to 48793 in 2010.The vehicle ownership is around 2.2 vehicle per 1,000 which is far less that 42.81 for Djibouti , 3.5 for Burundi, and 17.3 for Angola. However the rate of accidents and fatalities is one of the highest, stated Ato Belew.
The Rational for the beginning of the programme is the rapid growth in urbanization which is resulted in growing mobility and demand for transport, and the lesser attention given to it by concerned bodies. The Ethiopian Civil Service University began addressing the transport problems in 2007 by opening a specialization programme in its Urban Management Masters Programme. Some 77 of the Urban Management Masters Degree graduates specialized in Urban Transport Provision and Management, according to Ato Belew.
Dr.Hailemichael Abera president of Ethiopian Civil Service University said in his welcoming speech that it is important to manage the transport sector effectively and efficiently in order to sustain development of the country. He also said
" the curriculum must not be directly imported from countries which have different contexts rather it should be homegrown which considers the actual situation in our country."
It should also help the trainees grow their knowledge, skill and attitude. Dr.Hailemichael finally thanked Ato kasahun Hailemariam Director of the Federal Transport Authority who was strongly pushing for the realization of the programme from idea generation to regular follow up, and Ato Feleke Haile, Director of Addis Ababa Transport Authority, for the support he has pledged.
Ato Kassahun Hailemariam, Director of the Federal Transport Authority on his part expressed his appreciation to the University for its commitment to work with the Authority towards achieving the same goal – establishing efficient and effective transport management system in the country. Ato Kassahun also thanked Dr.Hailemichael Abera and the curriculum committee members for their relentless efforts for the realization of the programme. He also described the curriculum as the one which take the Growth and Transformation Plan in to account.