Addis Ababa University (AAU) held a meeting to discuss on the first draft of AAU’s Charter of Proclamation with members of the council, Deans, Directors, Associate Deans and Department Heads of the University at Eshetu Chole Hall on the 7^th of July 2022.

According to the information from the discussion, AAU has planned to become an authorized-chartered university and the implementation activity was started a year ago forming seven committees. To achieve this goal, the charter drafting committee prepared Charter Proclamation and presented for discussion to add inputs.

Professor Tassew Woldehanna, President of AAU, said that it is planned to automate the university on four different foundations: academic freedom, freedom on organizational structure, financial freedom and freedom on human resource management.

The first major task, according to Prof. Tassew, is to prepare a Charter and a draft document is already developed based on the previous charter that AAU had.  It requires a lot of discussion and input from the participants, he added.

“AAU was founded as independent chartered university; however, during the establishment of Ethiopian Higher Commission, it lost its freedom for the past 50 years and has been working under various restrictive laws that have a number of disadvantages,” Prof. Tassew said.

According to Prof. Tassew, AAU’s being an autonomous university, will improve its achievements better than the current performance. “This needs better administration and stronger management and we should properly prepare the rules in the Charter,” he added.

Finally, Prof. Tassew noted that the draft Charter will be reviewed by the board members of AAU and submitted to the council of Ministers, the ministry of education, the attorney office, the ministry of finance and finally to the Prime Minister’s office for final approval.

Mihret Debebe (M.D), Member of the board of AAU on his part said, “As AAU is undergoing in a major reform, yours and the board members’ efforts are needed to make this reform effective. For this purpose, the board members are willing to give not only our time but also everything we have as being part of the university and we will strive to make the university better than before to benefit the community, the country, and most importantly the students.”

According to Dr. Mihret, the change is not for the University only, but it is also for the benefit of the generations to lead the next generationfor the better academic freedom, academic excellence, and academic integration.

Wondmagegn Tadesse (PhD), Member of the Committee presented a draft charter proclamation of Addis Ababa University and many questions rose for discussion and inputs were received from the audience.

It was stated in the meeting that none of the about 50 Ethiopian public universities has been authorized so far. The acquisition of AAU’s autonomy will open the way for all universities. It is planned to test this practice in 10 universities within a few years, which is believed to help to ensure the excellence of Ethiopian higher institutions.

Reporter: Tsion Aysheshim

Photo: Andualem Aseffa

Editor: Abraham Girmay