• Sign performance contracts with 47 univs
ADDIS ABABA– The core mission of public universities lies in producing high-quality research and a well-qualified workforce, the Ministry of Education (MoE) said.
Yesterday, the MoE signed performance-contracting agreements with 47 public universities to enhance accountability and responsibility within the higher education sector.
During the signing ceremony, Education Minister Prof. Birhanu Nega stressed the critical need for education sector reforms that prioritize quality, integrity, accountability, research, and other relevant aspects. He indicated that universities should ultimately play a pivotal role in supporting national development initiatives by advancing human knowledge.
Furthermore, the primary objective of universities is to improve the lives of citizens by addressing critical issues that align with the nation’s ambitious development goals. The signing of these performance contracting agreements is a crucial step within a broader education sector reform initiative aimed at overcoming existing challenges, the Minister elaborated.
Prof. Birhanu reiterated that the core mission of public universities is to produce high-quality research and a highly qualified workforce.
He further announced that the MoE plans to categorize universities based on their performance starting next year. In the future, budget allocations will be determined based on the merit of their performance in fulfilling the agreed-upon objectives. This approach will incentivize excellence by allocating larger budgets to top-performing institutions.
The Minister emphasized that the ultimate goal of higher education sector reforms is to create autonomous universities. According to him, the signing of these agreements will significantly contribute to achieving this objective.
Prof. Birhanu further stressed that the continued existence of universities should not be taken for granted. Institutions that fail to perform adequately will not receive further budgetary support and may be re-evaluated for their continued operation as universities.
Kora Tushune (PhD), State Minister for Higher Education at the MoE, explained that the introduction of performance contracts aims to enhance transparency and accountability within the higher education sector.
These agreements mark the beginning of a new era in university partnerships, fostering innovation and technological advancement in the long term. Tushune acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing the education sector and emphasized the crucial role of this initiative in addressing them.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2024
