Workshop on Modular Curricular Conducted
The Ethiopia Civil Service University conducted a one day workshop on Modular Curricula on December 21, 2011. About 50 participants including the university president, academic vice president, institutes and centers directors, department heads and other academicians attended the workshop.
On his welcoming speech, Ato Tilahun Fikadu, Director of School of Graduate Studies said the workshop focused on modularization to which the university accorded high priority. Even though the modular approach was not started at corporate level, some institutes have already developed modular curricula and started implementing it, and registered notable progress, said Ato Tilahun.
He added the modular focus at the university follows a countrywide policy emphasis from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. So the goal of the workshop was launching university wide modularization process, identify modules to be developed and reaching consensus on the way forward.
Opening the workshop, Dr. Hailemichael Abera, President of the University, said
" this workshop aimed at achieving a common ground in the concept of what, why and how modular curricula implemented. "
The shift from course based approach to modular curricula is very significant in our endeavor to achieve quality in our delivery approach, evaluation process and managing academic work. The problem with course based approach is there are a lot of repetitions. But the modular curricula avoid such repetitions, said Dr. Hailemichael.
He added all higher educations are expected to introduce the modular approach. In view of that, some of which are already started but the rest should start in the coming academic year. Accordingly, some work has already been done in our university. But it is important to learn from other institutions in the country.
Dr. Tridiv Borah and Mr. Christian Zanghe, programme advisors at the university presented the Modular Curricula concept, the four pillars of modular curricula definition, of its advantages from demand and supply side.
The workshop also encompassed intense practical working sessions on the common grounds, synergies across programmes based on list of courses offered in the various programs, team building in modularization.
Finally, the participants presented their findings and discussions held, in addition to the participants' feedback on the workshop and suggestions for the way forward.